Have a Good Trip

Fun, entertaining and mostly humorous, but no new information is presented here. The information also presented is limited and non descriptive. It's mostly a collection of fun acid stories from celebrities. I enjoyed the documentary Neurons to Nirvana much more.

I have loved and used psychedelics for 30 years. I have never been a "major tripper", the title reserved for those people that do "heroic" doses of psychotropic substances. This was a fun first step that America and the UK needs to bring a mature, responsible attitude towards a subject that has had major effects on human consciousness for 10,000 years. Including psychedelics in the failed "war on drugs" has not benefitted anyone. Sting is incorrect that peyote, or any hallucinogen, contains strychnine. This is an old myth that has been kicked around for 50 years. It is refreshing in our celebrity worshipping culture to realize that "stars" are just as misinformed, fearful, fun, cowardly, silly, inspiring, incorrect, woo woo, and adventurous as any segment of the population. Rosie Perez was very candid and remembers the joy, intelligence, and wonder that psychonauts seek. Ben Stiller is a dud, and leaves a cynical taste for the audience and for commercial comedy. There are many gems here, and for virgins seeking the "experience", this flick can have a comforting and positive influence.

The structure of this documentary reminded me a bit of the zany "Sack Lunch Bunch," but of course it was about a topic more adult. The people and stories involved, and also some of "The More You Know" and other educational (?) segments, made for entertaining content that is unlike something I've seen before about drugs. It felt to me like a drug-positivity talk, akin to something you might see about safe sex - "If you're gonna do it anyway, you might as well learn more about it," type of thing.

However, "Have a Good Trip" seemed focused more on a narrative about drugs being fun, rather than necessarily educating its audience. This is despite multiple personalities interviewed having publicly known histories of drug abuse, and two having not long passed away prematurely. It also felt off to me that a story describing how somebody apparently died during a drug trip, was played by comedians in a goofy flashback montage. And of course, there were some stories about people driving or working while high, and sure, they gained amusing stories from these trips that they got out of safely, but there was no commentary on how they could have affected the people around them.

Overall, I enjoyed "Have a Good Trip." You should expect (mostly comedic) stories from it, though, rather than anything objective. I probably enjoyed A$AP Rocky's commentary the most, just because he seemed so chill, accepting, and totally aware of the ridiculousness of his experience. I also believe I learned from the show what I might have expected before going in (perhaps reflecting the trips all of these celebrities describe?): I think if I had a psychedelic trip, I'd probably have an experience like Ben Stiller. So, really, I don't need to have one.

Worth watching for the LSD After School Special segments with Adam Scott. For a more educational experience watch the Netflix series How to Change Your Mind instead.

As a traveler of sorts myself, I can say that I found this to be is a surprisingly well balanced documentary. The veteran psychonaught is unlikely to find anything here but a pleasant familiarity.

These kinds of drugs have enormous potential to help humanity. In fact, it's something we probably desperately need in these crazy times to help us connect to ourselves, our divinity and to each other.

However, the cautionary tales are essential, and responsible use is always encouraged. Personally I agree with String's advice on having an intention, and also Sting's decision to travel with the American Indian Shamans, as some these are substances are sacred medicines, or chemical variants of them. But not everyone has that opportunity.

I think the documentary would have been better if at least a little attention had been given to potentially tragic cases like Syd Barret, to give a completely fair analysis. But we don't really know what went on in his head. Maybe he was flying through space for eternity, maybe he was in heaven. We will never know. But on Earth he died a vegetable.

A positive spin is given at the end to the possibility of open study of these medicines by the Western methodology. This is good, but still miles behind the wisdom of traditional elders, who throughout the continents, have honed thousands of years of accumulated wisdom and safe guards. Western scientists may just grow a little if they pursue the study, as they will be forced to realise the yin and yang of that which can be measured and that which cannot.

The best recommendation I could give for safe travel is, if available, find a good Shaman and allow them to guide the journey. Unfortunately there are many charlatans out there. As such, personal recommendations are a sensible idea.

Be respectful, trust the heart, and love yourself and each another. Peace.