Hofmann's Potion

The pioneers of LSD--and the potential spiritual and therapeutic benefits of the drug's mind-expanding qualities--are the subject of filmmaker Connie Littlefield's Hofmann's Potion, a refreshingly non-judgmental documentary that peels away decades of misconceptions about LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) as a recreational psychedelic. It's fitting that this is a Canadian production, as it was in Saskatchewan that Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann conducted his first LSD experiments as a treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses, leading to a new understanding of mental illness based on brain chemistry. Combining latter-day interviews with virtually all surviving LSD pioneers (including Hofmann's colleagues Humphrey Osmond, Ralph Metzner, and '60s spiritual leader Ram Dass) and archival testimonies from such LSD luminaries as Aldous Huxley and Timothy Leary, the film offers a concise survey of LSD's history since Hofmann's serendipitous discovery of the drug's hallucinogenic effects in 1943, with an emphasis on the drug's rising popularity during the "hippie" movement of the Vietnam era. Without coming right out and advocating its use, Hofmann's Potion almost qualifies as an endorsement of LSD (indeed, because of the need for a proper setting and context to ensure LSD's therapeutic and spiritual effectiveness, Leary is held partially responsible for LSD's bad rap, as he encouraged the drug's use in reckless party environments). Fascinating as both history lesson and a plea for open-minded acceptance of LSD's positive uses, this may rankle anti-drug conservatives, but it's easily recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Shannon)