A New Understanding: Science of Psilocybin is a documentary that explores the recent scientific research on the use of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in some mushrooms, as a treatment for end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients. The film delves into the confluence of science and spirituality in the first psychedelic research studies since the 1970s with terminally ill patients.
The documentary examines how the use of psilocybin in a controlled setting can reduce psychospiritual anxiety, depression and physical pain and help the patient understand that a ‘good’ death is possible, and to help the patient’s family deal well with the dying process. The film features interviews with patients, their loved ones, therapists, and researchers, who share their personal journeys and the impact of this therapy on their lives.
The documentary aims to shed light on the benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy, and the importance of treating the whole human being, not just the disease. It examines the potential of psilocybin to change our understanding of both life and death and its ability to help us take better care of life.
A panel about this movie can be viewed here.
Type: Documentary
Director(s): Producers: Robert J. Barnhart, Roslyn Dauber, Brady Dial, MArk Hall, Matt Humble, Steve McDonald, Jeff Porter, Mitch Schultz
Runtime: 55min
People
Albert HofmannAlbert Hofmann was a chemist who worked for Sandoz, he is the discoverer of LSD (isolated from ergot), and the first person to synthesize psilocybin and psilocin. His short book LSD: My Problem Child is well worth a read.
Sasha Shulgin
Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin was an American medicinal chemist, biochemist, organic chemist, pharmacologist, psychopharmacologist, and author. He is known for introducing MDMA to psychologists in the US in the 1970s. But maybe even more famous for PIHKAL and TIHKAL, written together with his wife Ann Shulgin.
Amanda Feilding
Amanda is the Founder and Director of the Beckley Foundation. She's called the 'hidden hand' behind the renaissance of psychedelic science, and her contribution to global drug policy reform has also been pivotal and widely acknowledged.
David E. Nichols
David E. Nichols is a researcher (specifically pharmacologist and medicinal chemist) at Purdue University (semi-retired in 2012). His psychedelics work has been ongoing since 1969.
Charles Grob
Charles Grob is a Professor of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics at UCLA. His work with MDMA was the first FDA approved Phase 1 study. He co-founded the Heffter Research Institute and is also affiliated with the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation.