A new Netflix documentary, In Waves and War, directed by Jon Shenk and Bonni Cohen, follows former US Navy SEALs as they undergo psychedelic therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The film, released in 2024, offers a sombre look at the veterans' struggles and their treatment with ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT at a clinic in Mexico, where these substances are not yet FDA-approved.
The documentary features interviews with scientists from Stanford University's Brain Stimulation Lab, who are studying the clinical effects of the drugs. However, the film focuses more on the personal testimonies of the six veterans, who bravely discuss their trauma, including childhood abuse and combat experiences in Afghanistan. One soldier notes that childhood abuse contributed significantly to his decision to enlist and was a major component of his trauma.
To depict the psychedelic experiences, the film uses tasteful animation, showing subjects surrounded by memories. A lighter moment occurs when a soldier describes a vision of watching The Wonder Years on a couch. The score, dominated by repetitive violin chords, underscores the film's solemn tone.
While the documentary serves as an advertisement for this therapeutic protocol, it raises awareness of alternative treatments for PTSD. The filmmakers aim to present the treatment as legitimate, though the film lacks deep exploration of the cognitive science behind the drugs.
