Documentary backdrop image for Rat Park (2019)

Documentary backdrop image for Rat Park (2019)

201982 minPGdocumentary

7.0/ 10(1 rating)• TMDB

Rat Park

201982 minPGdocumentary

7.0/ 10(1 rating)• TMDB

A Canadian psychologist's 1970s experiment reveals that drug addiction is influenced more by environment than by the drugs themselves.

Genres

Director

Synopsis

A Canadian psychologist's 1970s experiment reveals that drug addiction is influenced more by environment than by the drugs themselves.

People

Shawney Cohendirector

Synopsis

In the 1970s, Canadian psychologist Bruce Alexander conducted an experiment known as Rat Park, which challenged conventional views on drug addiction. Located in a spacious environment, the experiment housed rats with ample social interaction and stimulation. Alexander's findings suggested that addiction is influenced more by environmental factors than by the drugs themselves. The documentary revisits this experiment, arguing that the conditions of life, rather than the substances, play a crucial role in addiction.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

The Power of Play (2019)

The Power of Play

2019•52m•★8.0TMDB

Scientists reveal that play is a vital component for survival and development in various species, including lizards and fish.

The Power of Play

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

2003•1h29m•★6.7TMDB

Aileen Wuornos reflects on her life and the events leading to her execution for multiple murders while awaiting death in her prison cell.

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

Cat & Mouse - South Africa (2008)

Cat & Mouse - South Africa

Drug addiction in South Africa leads to devastating social and health consequences, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention and support systems.

Cat & Mouse - South Africa

Can We Cure Addictions? (2025)

Can We Cure Addictions?

Addiction is examined through the lens of evolving medical advancements and innovative treatment methods by experts in the United States and Europe.

Can We Cure Addictions?

The Varying Attitudes Towards Drug Use Around The World (2007)

The Varying Attitudes Towards Drug Use Around The World

Global attitudes towards drug use reveal stark contrasts, from Cape Town's casual Mandrax consumption to Germany's strict enforcement and Holland's liberal policies.

The Varying Attitudes Towards Drug Use Around The World

Surviving Addiction: The Deadliest Drug in North America (2026)

Surviving Addiction: The Deadliest Drug in North America

In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a collective of artists and drug users operates a renegade safe injection site to combat the opioid crisis.

Surviving Addiction: The Deadliest Drug in North America

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy (2024)

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy

San Patrignano, Europe's largest rehabilitation center in Italy, integrates work routines like winemaking and carpet weaving into its drug addiction recovery process.

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean? (2024)

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean?

Over 28,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2014, prompting some to seek recovery through cannabis at a detox facility in rural Maine.

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean?

The Surprising Science of ADHD (2025)

The Surprising Science of ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects daily life and family dynamics, revealing its complex genetic, environmental, and evolutionary roots.

The Surprising Science of ADHD

Overcoming Addiction - Addiction (2023)

Overcoming Addiction - Addiction

A single camera captures the final intake of addicts at The Victorian Addiction Center in December 2009 as they confront their struggles with addiction.

Overcoming Addiction - Addiction

Explore Rat Park

Browse more like this

The Power of Play (2019)

The Power of Play

2019•52m•★8.0TMDB

Scientists reveal that play is a vital component for survival and development in various species, including lizards and fish.

The Power of Play

No digital watch option in your country

Can We Cure Addictions? (2025)

Can We Cure Addictions?

Addiction is examined through the lens of evolving medical advancements and innovative treatment methods by experts in the United States and Europe.

Can We Cure Addictions?

No digital watch option in your country

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy (2024)

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy

San Patrignano, Europe's largest rehabilitation center in Italy, integrates work routines like winemaking and carpet weaving into its drug addiction recovery process.

Treating Drug Addicts in Italy

No digital watch option in your country

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean? (2024)

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean?

Over 28,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2014, prompting some to seek recovery through cannabis at a detox facility in rural Maine.

Can Pot Help Opioid Users Get Clean?

No digital watch option in your country

The Surprising Science of ADHD (2025)

The Surprising Science of ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects daily life and family dynamics, revealing its complex genetic, environmental, and evolutionary roots.

The Surprising Science of ADHD

No digital watch option in your country

Louis Theroux: America's Medicated Kids (2010)

Louis Theroux: America's Medicated Kids

2010•59m•★6.9TMDB

Over 6 million American children are prescribed psychoactive medications to manage behavioral issues, raising concerns about treatment methods and their effects.

Louis Theroux: America's Medicated Kids

Rats (2016)

Rats

2016•1h24m•★6.0TMDB

New York City is home to an estimated two million rats, with interviews and footage revealing their ecological roles and societal perceptions.

Rat Film (2016)

Rat Film

2016•1h22m•★7.1TMDB

Baltimore's rat infestation reflects the city's struggles with segregation, redlining, and poverty through personal stories and historical context.

Russell Brand: End the Drugs War

2014•57m•★7.9TMDB

Russell Brand argues for changing drug policy from punishment to treatment, citing effective strategies used in Portugal.

Russell Brand: End the Drugs War

Rat (1998)

Rat

1998•56m•★8.1TMDB

New York City's streets are overrun with rats, as filmmaker Mark Lewis documents their adaptation to urban environments and the ongoing human-animal conflict.

Russell Brand - From Addiction to Recovery

2012•1h•★6.5TMDB

Russell Brand discusses his struggles with addiction and recovery in the UK, promoting abstinence-based programs and the role of support systems.

Russell Brand - From Addiction to Recovery

Cannabis: The Evil Weed? (2009)

Cannabis: The Evil Weed?

2009•59m•★6.6TMDB

Dr. John Marsden travels to Kazakhstan, the birthplace of cannabis, to investigate its origins and the historical context of its use.

Cannabis: The Evil Weed?

Rat in the Crown (2005)

Rat in the Crown

2005•46m•★8.3TMDB

An alcoholic struggles with addiction in a candid portrayal of his challenges and failures in seeking recovery.

Rat in the Crown

Drugs and Brain (2005)

Drugs and Brain

2005•43m•★10.0TMDB

Five parts examine how various drugs affect brain function and human consciousness, revealing their impact on perception, cognition, and behavior.

Drugs and Brain

The Human Behavior Experiments (2006)

The Human Behavior Experiments

2006•58m•★7.5TMDB

Participants in Stanley Milgram's 1960s obedience experiment at Yale University believed they were delivering electric shocks to others.

The Human Behavior Experiments

Browse more by Shawney Cohen

View all films →

The Manor (2025)

The Manor

2025

Bloodlust: Tournament of Death (2016)

Bloodlust: Tournament of Death

2016

The Manor (2013)

The Manor

2013

DOPESICK: Fentanyl's Deadly Grip (2016)

DOPESICK: Fentanyl's Deadly Grip

2016

6ix Rising (2017)

6ix Rising

2017

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →