Better Living Through Chemistry

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Run time: 87 min
  • Premiere: 2021. September 21.

In the 1970s, Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin significantly contributed to the development and psychopharmaceutical use of MDMA: a catalyst to personal doors entombed or unknown. His widow, co-author, and research partner, Ann—alongside friends, family, and colleagues—gives a guided tour of their life and laboratory, reflecting on how risks and revelations opened a world of compound enlightenment. Stippled with spirituality, sadness, and skepticism, the Shulgins’ chemical love story examines the power of psychedelic psychotherapy, sacred alchemy, and challenging the path of misunderstood resistance.

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Art

Nick Sewell

Graphic Designer

Camera

Kyle Cameron

Director of Photography

Victor Murillo

Drone Cinematographer

Sean Ryan

Drone Cinematographer

Sue Johnson

Director of Photography

Directing

Editing

Production

Peter van der Heyden

Executive Producer

Michael MacMillan

Executive Producer

Jordan Nahmias

Executive Producer

Isabelle Foisy

Production Assistant

David Birnbaum

Production Assistant

Tas

Executive Producer

Sound

Eva Madden

Sound Designer

Andy McNeill

Original Music Composer

Jack Rudy

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Writing

Siobhan Flanagan

Story Editor

Art

Nick Sewell

Graphic Designer

Camera

Kyle Cameron

Director of Photography

Victor Murillo

Drone Cinematographer

Sean Ryan

Drone Cinematographer

Sue Johnson

Director of Photography

Directing

Editing

Production

Peter van der Heyden

Executive Producer

Michael MacMillan

Executive Producer

Jordan Nahmias

Executive Producer

Isabelle Foisy

Production Assistant

David Birnbaum

Production Assistant

Tas

Executive Producer

Sound

Eva Madden

Sound Designer

Andy McNeill

Original Music Composer

Jack Rudy

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Writing

Siobhan Flanagan

Story Editor