Better Living Through Chemistry
87 mins
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.
Ann Shulgin
Self
Tania Manning
Self
Greg Manning
Self
Jennifer Dumpert
Self
Fire Erowid
Self
Earth Erowid
Self
David E. Presti
Self
Sunny Heartsong
Self
Wendy Perry
Self - Ann's Daughter
Paul F. Daley
Self
Myron Stolaroff
Self
Jean Stolaroff
Self
Keeper Trout
Self
Dechen Sherpa
Self
Connie Littlefield
Producer
Connie Littlefield
Director
James Yates
Editor
Connie Littlefield
Writer
Michael MacMillan
Executive Producer
Kyle Cameron
Director of Photography
Andy McNeill
Original Music Composer
Siobhan Flanagan
Story Editor
David St. Louis
Colorist
Eva Madden
Sound Designer
Peter van der Heyden
Executive Producer
Nick Sewell
Graphic Designer
Victor Murillo
Drone Cinematographer
Jack Rudy
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
David Birnbaum
Production Assistant
Sean Ryan
Drone Cinematographer
Isabelle Foisy
Production Assistant
Tas
Executive Producer
Sue Johnson
Director of Photography