Many people associate LSD with the days of long hair, tie-dye shirts and flared pants. But the popular hallucinogenic drug never really went away. In fact, it’s currently seeing a small resurgence as a medical self-help tool. LSD is back, produced by the German series DW documentary, which examines the veracity of these claims.
This film briefly introduces the history of LSD, including its early use as a wonder drug for psychosis. In the late ’60s, as the drug began to gain credibility among rebellious youth on the streets, LSD’s identity morphed into something more dangerous and ominous.
But for some of the film’s protagonists, LSD was a panacea for personal development. These users are given microdoses — doses that don’t produce hallucinogens, but make users feel more alert, focused and active.
We meet a young man who is putting a drop or two into an ice cube tray. Taking frozen cubes midweek keeps him more focused on his goals.
There is a downside to this type of recreational use. For one thing, the sale and distribution of psychedelics is illegal in Germany, although proponents argue that these laws will change sooner or later. Second, higher doses can cause severe paranoia and other potentially debilitating reactions.
Third Wave is a hallucinogen advocacy company founded to deter drug abuse and promote the benefits of taking it properly. They have some level of support from the medical community. After conducting an informal study, one of the doctors featured in the film believes that microdosing may be the way of the future. It doesn’t interfere with a person’s daily rituals and responsibilities, he claims, and appears to enhance the body’s natural healing process by helping to eliminate pain and inspire healthier lifestyle choices.
Science has not yet reached definitive conclusions about the risks and benefits of drugs used for these purposes. Despite these caveats, LSD is Back introduces many interesting possibilities.
Directed by: Norbert Lübbers, David Donschen
