When an uncertain young American was experiencing the fallout of the sixties in the form of psilocybin, he learned one very valuable lesson he would not forget in a hurry: buckle your seatbelt for the long run because you are now a passenger on one hell of a trip. Everything the Beatles sang about makes perfect sense; dogs come in a variety of colours, including blue and you are about to become one with the very universe itself. Adam Strauss, a sufferer of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, regales us with some marvellous extracts from his life in a documentary upon the world of psychedelics and how they have helped to shape him into the man he is today.
Unable to find an effective treatment for his OCD in spite of over a decade of medication, Strauss sought a more radical solution in the form of mescaline (more commonly known as ‘Cactus Juice’) that began him on a road to self-actualisation through a series of profound spiritual adventures on tripping. In his comedic narrative, Strauss explains the nature of hallucinogenics and the value he gained from them, ranging from euphoric, out-of-body experiences to the terrifying nightmare of bad trips. I paused twice to consider the messages he delivers: that there is beauty within imperfection even if we cannot see it in one reality and that embracing our deepest fears will rid us of the feeling of powerlessness we are convicted to when in distress.
For any who have experienced magic mushrooms, he is a scholar who doesn’t completely close the door on faith and belief when it comes to the spiritual nature of hallucinogenic drugs; for anyone else, he is a revelation in disguise. Adam Strauss, through a blend of comedy and drama in his poetic narration, is a highly commendable act which is recommendable for any interested in the culture of psychedelics.
