Psychedelic substances have long been used for spiritual practices, but recently they’ve come back into the public eye as a therapeutic tool.
This is because of their ability to induce many profoundly positive mental effects, including altered states of consciousness, introspection, increased empathy and much more. Microdosing with psychedelics has also seen a surge in popularity due to its ability to improve well-being without the intense psychedelic side effects that come with a full dose.
The trend has spawned several entertaining documentaries that are designed to elevate the hallucinogenic experience. This article will explore the top 5 psychedelic documentaries on Netflix that are perfect for people who want to learn more about popular psychedelics or just enjoy them!
1. Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
This 2020 documentary hosted by Good Omens actor Nick Offerman features an ensemble cast of celebrity psychonauts such as Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Sting and ASAP Rocky. Fair disclosure: Some critics didn’t like the movie, but take that with a grain of salt. We definitely think it’s worth a peek.
During the making of Have a Good Trip, several high-profile stars were interviewed, who recounted their good and bad trips. As a result, the various crazy stories about their experiences with substances provide lots of entertaining fodder.
The documentary plays out through funny, mind-blowing stories via re-enactments and animations (with the celebrities and creative forces behind the documentary understanding that hallucinogens make any tale involving trippy substances better understood, right?).
And While Have a Good Trip doesn’t take itself too seriously, that doesn’t mean you won’t take something educational about psychedelics away from it. Overall, the film is hilarious at times but always entertaining — plus, it features some must-see final performances by Fred Willard, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Bourdain.
- Run time: 1 hr, 26 min
- Watch Have a Good Trip: Adventuresin Psychedelics on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80231917
2. Ram Dass, Going Home
Netflix offers this excellent documentary that focuses less on psychedelics and more on spiritual journeys. After all, that’s what many people are doing it for. Ram Dass, Going Home (2018) follows the late and well-loved American psychologist and spiritual teacher Baba Ram Dass while he talks about his later years. In Going Home, Dass gives his insights into life, mortality, suffering and spiritual awakening.
Dass, who was born Richard Alpert, wrote the seminal best-selling novel “Be Here Now,” which helped him bring modern yoga and Eastern philosophy to the West. Alpert also worked with fellow psychedelic pioneer Timothy Leary to research the potentially therapeutic potential of psilocybin, LSD and other psychedelic chemicals through the well-known Harvard Psilocybin Project.
Going Home will be enjoyable for anyone who wants to learn more about psychedelic drug research but has no interest in seeing tripping experiences similar to Have a Good Trip.
- Run time: 31 min
- Watch Ram Dass, Going Home on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80209895
3. Fantastic Fungi
Anyone from magic mushroom fans to those who love holistic mushrooms like lion’s mane or reishi will enjoy the trippy and insightful documentary Fantastic Fungi. Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson narrates this fascinating 2019 documentary that takes you inside the mystical and medicinal world of mushrooms. The movie also features commentary from leading mycologist Paul Stamets.
Fantastic Fungi is best suited for someone that wants to learn about the wonders of mushrooms, as leading researchers and practitioners discuss anything from how psychedelic mushrooms can offer solutions to anything from treating severe psychiatric conditions to fungi that cleans up devastating oil spills that wreak environmental havoc.
The film also features real-life hallucinogenic experiences and really gets the imagination going with stories about scientific research into fungi’s effects on human consciousness.
- Run time: 1 hr, 26 min
- Watch Fantastic Fungi on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81183477
4. The Last Shaman
In this touching documentary, the main character James Freeman gives himself a year to live after finding that western treatments and medicines won’t help cure his severe depression.
During that time, he goes on a life-changing journey to the Amazon rainforest to find a shaman who can rescue him from his incurable depression and keep him from committing suicide.
Before the stopwatch winds down on his 12-month mark, the depressed man ventures to different shamans, finding camaraderie, answers and a taste of what’s spiritually important. Through the help of the shamans, James also experiences the healing power of ayahuasca brew for his blues.
You may find that it’s hard to watch the movie and not compare it to the real-life struggles of patients with drug-resistant depression. In other words, there are now studies that indicate microdosing with certain psychedelics can alleviate this type of depression, which is impressive in itself. Hopefully, they can be used to help more people like James Freeman someday.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.
- Run time: 1 hr, 22 min
- Watch The Last Shaman on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80121855
5. The Mind, Explained: Psychedelics
Cruella actress Emma Stone serves as a guide to this 22-minute Netflix episode that delves into the science behind psychedelics and their effects on our brains—effects the documentary explains helps reduce depression and anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients, assists with the cessation of smoking and gives patients needed relief from antidepressant drug-resistant depression.
While this 2019 flick is not a documentary in itself, this episode explains some of the potential benefits that microdosing has for treating neurological disorders like depression or addiction.
Notwithstanding all that this fascinating documentary is telling us, it is certainly true that we are entering an age of enlightenment for psychedelic therapy.
As one example, psilocybin, the substance that gives some species of mushrooms their magic, is showing promise as a treatment for psychiatric illnesses, such as addiction. For instance, one proof-of-concept trial successfully used psilocybin to help heavy smokers quit.
- Watch The Mind Explained: Psychedelics on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81098586
Where to Go From Here
As you can see, the streaming giant has an excellent assortment of documentaries that help us enjoy and understand the role of hallucinogens in our life. However, don’t stop there if you are a hallucinogenic devotee, as there are numerous strange and trippy classic movies like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Eyes Wide Shut on Netflix that are a blast to watch.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: Five hallucinogenic documentaries that are designed for curling up on the couch with some popcorn and binging for a while. We hope you enjoy each psychedelic documentary on Netflix, and if you’d like to learn more about the exciting world of hallucinogens, be sure to check out our blogs.