39 Mind-Bending Psychedelic Films
39 titles
- 1
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink FloydMovie · 2023 · 94m · Documentary, MusicThe story follows Barrett's descent from a pioneering musician to an iconic rock star, and his subsequent unraveling into a troubled, unstable figure. It begins with his departure from Pink Floyd and charts his journey as he navigates fame and mental illness.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 2
My Psychedelic Love StoryMovie · 2020 · 107mThis film explores the life of Timothy Leary, the controversial high priest of LSD, as seen through the intimate perspective of his renowned lover, Joanna Harcourt-Smith.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0 - 3
Inner Worlds, Outer WorldsMovie · 2012 · 122mA single energy field connects everything. Throughout history, it has been known by many names: Akasha, Logos, the primordial OM, the music of the spheres, the Higgs field, dark energy, and more. This field underlies all genuine spiritual insight and scientific inquiry. It’s the same energy that saints, Buddhas, yogis, mystics, priests, shamans, and seers have glimpsed through introspection. Many great thinkers—like Pythagoras, Kepler, Leonardo da Vinci, Tesla, and Einstein—approached this profound mystery. It represents a common thread linking all religions, all sciences, and the inner and outer realms of human experience.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.7 - 4
Peyote to LSD: A Psychedelic OdysseyMovie · 2008 · 100mPlant explorer Richard Evans Schultes' groundbreaking discoveries of hallucinogenic plants shaped the psychedelic 1960s. This History Channel special follows his former student, Wade Davis, as he retraces Schultes' journey to experience these discoveries firsthand. Filmed across the globe, from Canada to the Amazon, the program reveals rarely seen indigenous ceremonies and details the events that led to the Psychedelic Sixties. Featuring Wade Davis, Dr. Andrew Weil, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and others, the special explores the discovery of peyote, magic mushrooms, and other plants, revealing Schultes' lesser-known quest to classify "Plants of the Gods." Schultes revolutionized science and unexpectedly sparked a cultural revolution.IMDb 7.3TMDB 5.6 - 5
Other WorldsMovie · 2004 · 74mJan Kounen's *Blueberry: The Secret Experience* explores the potential of plant-based medicines to unlock the mysteries of consciousness and the associated opportunities and dangers of shamanic practices. Inspired by his encounter with Shipibo healers in the Peruvian Amazon and their sacred Ayahuasca vine while filming *Blueberry*, Kounen returns to Peru to document the plant's medicinal rites and the work of its shamans. He films the indigenous people while also interviewing neurologists, philosophers, artists, and chemists researching the subject, including Jean Giraud, the creator of Blueberry, and Nobel laureate Kary Mullis. More than a typical documentary, the film offers a journey into another world and a different way of perceiving reality.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0 - 6
DMT: The Spirit MoleculeMovie · 2010 · 75m · DocumentaryTHE SPIRIT MOLECULE explores Dr. Rick Strassman's pioneering research into DMT, a powerful hallucinogen naturally present in the human brain and many plants, including the Amazonian brew ayahuasca. The film combines interviews with experts from various fields who share their perspectives on DMT and ayahuasca, alongside accounts from Strassman’s research participants. It reveals the profound effects of these compounds and examines theories about their potential impact on human consciousness.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.1 - 7
The Last ShamanMovie · 2017 · 83m · DocumentaryFacing a self-imposed deadline of one year, James journeys to the Amazon rainforest in search of a shaman who he believes can help him.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.2 - 8
Terence McKenna's True HallucinationsMovie · 2016 · 168mPeter Bergmann's experimental documentary, *Terence McKenna's True Hallucinations*, explores themes of chaos, the power of imagination, the nature of time, and the concept of the Logos. It delves into belief, hope, madness, and doubt, building upon ideas originally presented in Bergmann's "The Transcendental Object At The End Of Time." The film examines the events surrounding La Chorrera.IMDb 8.1TMDB 8.0 - 9
The Substance: Albert Hofmann's LSDMovie · 2011 · 90mIn the spring of 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovers a potent molecule with far-reaching implications. THE SUBSTANCE explores the complex history of LSD, from its initial discovery to the present day.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 10
The Sunshine MakersMovie · 2015 · 101mNicholas Sand and Tim Scully were an unlikely pair at the center of the 1960s American drug counterculture. Driven by a utopian vision to change the world through LSD, these underground chemists produced vast quantities of the drug, including the highly sought-after 'Orange Sunshine,' while evading law enforcement.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 11
Contemplations: On the Psychedelic ExperienceMovie · 2022 · 116m"Contemplations" is a collection of personal accounts exploring the profound experiences and insights gained through psychedelic states. It features journeys, wisdom, and reflections from Australian individuals who have explored entheogens.IMDb 8.4 - 12
Of Night and Light: The Story of Iboga and IbogaineMovie · 2023 · 115mThis film explores the remarkable, little-known story surrounding ibogaine, a substance that could represent a major scientific advancement of our time. - 13
Magic MedicineMovie · 2018 · 79mIn 2012, a team of medical researchers began exploring a question: what effect would psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, have on individuals with severe depression? Obtaining the required approvals for their study took three years.IMDb 7.0TMDB 5.8 - 14
Psychedelicized: The Electric Circus StoryMovie · 2023 · 94mIn 1960s New York City, the Electric Circus nightclub was a vibrant, diverse hub for music and dance, attracting figures like Jimi Hendrix, Timothy Leary, and Sly & the Family Stone. The club, a hallucinatory mix of hippies, bikers, and performers, is remembered by its founders, Stan Freeman and Jerry Brandt, as it rose to prominence and ultimately fell. With lively editing, a fitting soundtrack, and a psychedelic atmosphere, this film offers an engaging look at a unique period in NYC history. - 15
Timothy Leary's DeadMovie · 1996 · 80mFilmed in the year leading up to his death from cancer in May 1996, this documentary reflects on the life of a man who has secured his place in history. The film aims to reveal the person behind the iconic 1960s phrase, "turn on, tune in, and drop out." Through interviews with friends, colleagues, and family, the filmmakers paint a portrait of the multifaceted individual: author, psychologist, teacher, guru, and even a figure pursued by the law, as well as a keen observer of life, death, and humor. The documentary follows him through the experimental 1960s, the hippie 70s, the thoughtful 80s, and the futuristic 90s. The film concludes with a look at his unconventional final request: cryogenic storage of his severed head, intended for future generations.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.0 - 16
Science of the Soul: The Story of Transpersonal PsychologyMovie · 2007 · 71mThis documentary provides a comprehensive history of Transpersonal Psychology. It features interviews with key figures in the field, including co-founder Stanislav Grof, along with Charles T. Tart, Frances Vaughan, James Fadiman, and Miles Vich, among others.TMDB 8.0 - 17
DosedMovie · 2019 · 82mThis documentary chronicles a woman's journey to heal from anxiety, depression, and opioid addiction by exploring psychedelic medicine.IMDb 7.0TMDB 8.2 - 18
The Way of the PsychonautMovie · 2020 · 86m"The Way of the Psychonaut" examines the life and groundbreaking work of Stanislav Grof, a Czech-born psychiatrist and pioneer in psychedelic psychotherapy. Driven by a desire to understand the healing potential of altered states of consciousness, Grof significantly impacted psychology and profoundly altered countless lives. The film uses filmmaker Susan Hess Logeais's own personal crisis as a way to explore Grof’s influence, revealing its effects on individuals and the wider world.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.5 - 19
Neurons to NirvanaMovie · 2013 · 69mNeurons to Nirvana interviews leading psychologists and scientists to examine the history of four potent psychedelic substances: LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ayahuasca. The film focuses solely on the scientific and medicinal properties of these drugs, exploring the reasons behind societal and political resistance to research into their potential therapeutic benefits for difficult modern afflictions.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 20
5MEO: Are Some Doors Better Left Unopened?Movie · 2020Three men at a turning point in their lives embark on a trip to obtain 5MEO-DMT, considered one of the world's strongest psychedelic substances.IMDb 7.3 - 21
Entheogen: Awakening the Divine WithinMovie · 2006 · 70mThis documentary explores how we can reconnect with a sense of wonder and spirituality in today's world. It examines the renewed interest in ancient practices aimed at altered states of consciousness. The film connects ecological and evolutionary ideas with electronic dance music and the growing scientific study of psychedelic substances.IMDb 7.6TMDB 5.0 - 22
Waldo on WeedMovie · 2019 · 87mWhen their six-month-old son Waldo begins showing signs of vision problems, Brian and Danielle Dwyer receive a devastating diagnosis: eye cancer. Following medical advice, they start chemotherapy. However, the chemo causes severe illness, leading them to seek alternative treatments. They discover an all-natural, chemical-free option: marijuana.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.5 - 23
Going FurthurMovie · 2016 · 96mFifty years after the original legendary journey, Ken Kesey's son Zane revived the Furthur Bus – and his father’s history – for its longest tour ever. With a new group of Merry Pranksters, the Furthur traveled over 15,000 miles in 75 days, visiting music festivals, community events, tribal gatherings, and national landmarks. It once again became a symbol of freedom of expression and cultural change throughout the country.IMDb 9.5TMDB 10.0 - 24
Vine of the Soul: Encounters with AyahuascaMovie · 2010 · 52mSeeking emotional healing and spiritual growth, a naturopathic doctor and an accountant travel to the Peruvian Amazon with a group of others to experience ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew.IMDb 6.5TMDB 4.8 - 25
The Song That Calls You HomeMovie · 2022 · 72mThis film is a personal, scientific, and mystical journey into Amazonian curanderismo, focusing on the use of Ayahuasca and Master Plants. It explores their healing and visionary effects, as well as the potential risks. The film also features the Shipibo people and their traditional songs.IMDb 8.0TMDB 9.5 - 26
Above MajesticMovie · 2018 · 133m · DocumentaryThis film explores the origins, history, and alleged conspiracies surrounding Majestic 12, a secret group composed of high-ranking military and corporate officials. The group was reportedly tasked with reverse-engineering technology recovered from extraterrestrial sources.IMDb 5.9TMDB 7.5 - 27
TrippingMovie · 1999 · 55mThis film explores the life and impact of celebrated 1960s author Ken Kesey. It includes archival footage from his 1964 Magic Bus Tour with The Merry Pranksters.IMDb 7.3 - 28
Orange SunshineMovie · 2016 · 105mThis is the untold story of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, a Southern California spiritual group of surfers and hippies who became the world's leading source of psychedelic drugs in the 1960s and early 1970s. Driven by ideals of social justice and peace, this group of free-spirited idealists evolved into a powerful drug smuggling operation, essentially creating the modern illegal drug trade. At the center of it all are the husband and wife leaders, dedicated to transforming the world through LSD and rejecting capitalism.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.5 - 29
Descending the MountainMovie · 2021 · 78mPsychiatrist Franz Vollenweider and Zen master Vanja Palmers conduct a scientific experiment in a Swiss monastery, administering magic mushrooms (psilocybin) to experienced Zen practitioners who have never taken drugs. The experiment explores the potential of this combination to deepen the mystical experience of oneness with nature, fifty years after psilocybin was outlawed. At a time when most psychedelic studies focus on medical applications, Vollenweider and Palmers investigate whether meditation and psilocybin can offer a path forward for humanity grappling with the consequences of modern society.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.0 - 30
Ram Dass, Going HomeMovie · 2017 · 31mRam Dass was a major cultural figure of the 1960s and 70s. Known for his work with psychedelics, his book *Be Here Now*, and his teachings as a spiritual guide, he was also a strong voice for preparing for death. Now facing the end of his life himself, Ram Dass has lived at his Maui home for twenty years since a serious stroke, focusing on his spiritual practice of love and connection to all things. This film offers an intimate look at his life, his teachings, and his growing awareness, ultimately presenting a thoughtful reflection on life, death, and the soul's return.IMDb 6.9TMDB 5.8 - 31
Better Living Through ChemistryMovie · 2021 · 87mIn the 1970s, Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin was a key figure in the development and understanding of MDMA, a substance explored for its potential to unlock inner experiences. His widow, Ann—who was also his co-author and research partner—offers a personal look at their life and work, sharing reflections with friends, family, and colleagues. The film explores how taking risks and making discoveries led them to a deeper understanding of compounds. Interwoven with themes of spirituality, loss, and doubt, the Shulgins’ story is a look at their chemical exploration, psychedelic therapy, alchemy, and challenging societal norms.IMDb 9.0 - 32
Journeys to the Edge of ConsciousnessMovie · 2019 · 87mThis animated film explores three groundbreaking psychedelic experiences that profoundly impacted Western culture. Sixty years later, twelve leading thinkers discuss the enduring questions: What insights do altered states of consciousness offer about humanity, the universe, and our existence within it?IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.5 - 33
From Shock to AweMovie · 2018 · 87mTwo combat veterans struggling with severe trauma turn to psychedelic medicine in place of traditional pharmaceuticals, hoping to find healing. Emerging scientific research suggests these substances may aid recovery from PTSD. Beyond their personal journeys, *From Shock to Awe* explores broader issues surrounding war, the pharmaceutical industry, and the American legal system.IMDb 7.9TMDB 6.0 - 34
A New Understanding: The Science of PsilocybinMovie · 2015 · 55mA New Understanding examines how psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound in certain mushrooms, is being used to address anxiety in people with terminal cancer by helping them have profound spiritual experiences. The film documents the intersection of scientific research and spirituality in the latest studies involving terminally ill patients since the 1970s. While society focuses heavily on cancer treatment itself, it often overlooks the emotional and spiritual needs of those facing death from the disease.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.8 - 35
The Transcendental Object at the End of TimeMovie · 2014 · 214mThis film presents a visual and auditory exploration of Terence McKenna's ideas.IMDb 8.0TMDB 10.0 - 36
In Waves and WarMovie · 2024 · 108mThree former Navy SEALs, struggling with chronic psychological pain after deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, discover a new path to healing. They become involved in pioneering psychedelic therapy, offering crucial support to a community facing significant challenges.IMDb 7.8TMDB 4.7 - 37
Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool PlaceMovie · 2011 · 107mThis film chronicles Ken Kesey, author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and his legendary 1964 cross-country journey to the New York World's Fair aboard the psychedelic Magic Bus. Kesey was accompanied by the Merry Pranksters, a group of counterculture figures including Neal Cassady, famously portrayed in Kerouac's "On the Road," and the Magic Bus's driver and painter.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 38
Dirty PicturesMovie · 2010 · 90mAlexander "Sasha" Shulgin was a pioneering chemist who synthesized over 200 psychedelic compounds, including MDMA, better known as Ecstasy. Widely regarded as one of the twentieth century's greatest chemists, his extensive research significantly shaped psychedelic studies. "Dirty Pictures" examines the life and work of Dr. Shulgin, alongside other scientists, exploring their discoveries, motivations, ideas, and beliefs about how research in this area can help us understand the complexities of the mind.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.1 - 39
Bufo Alvarius – The Underground SecretMovie · 2018This film presents a powerful account of 5-MeO-DMT, a potent natural psychedelic compound found in the Bufo Alvarius toad of the Sonoran Desert. It's a firsthand exploration of the experience associated with this substance.IMDb 7.2TMDB 4.0
