Better Living Through Chemistry (2021)
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.
Director: Connie Littlefield
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Ann Shulgin as Self |
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Alexander Shulgin as Self |
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Tania Manning as Self |
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Greg Manning as Self |
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Brian Perry as Self - Ann's Son |
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Renee Reeser Zelnick as Self |
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Mariavittoria Mangini as Self |
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Jennifer Dumpert as Self |
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Fire Erowid as Self |
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Earth Erowid as Self |
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David E. Presti as Self |
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Sunny Heartsong as Self |
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Wendy Perry as Self - Ann's Daughter |
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Paul F. Daley as Self |
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Myron Stolaroff as Self |
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Jean Stolaroff as Self |
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Keeper Trout as Self |
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Jason Tucker as Self |
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Dechen Sherpa as Self |
| Directing | Connie Littlefield | Director |
| Production | Connie Littlefield | Producer |
| Writing | Connie Littlefield | Writer |
| Editing | James Yates | Editor |
| Production | Peter van der Heyden | Executive Producer |
| Production | Michael MacMillan | Executive Producer |
| Production | Jordan Nahmias | Executive Producer |
| Camera | Kyle Cameron | Director of Photography |
| Art | Nick Sewell | Graphic Designer |
| Sound | Eva Madden | Sound Designer |
| Sound | Andy McNeill | Original Music Composer |
| Writing | Siobhan Flanagan | Story Editor |
| Camera | Victor Murillo | Drone Cinematographer |
| Sound | Jack Rudy | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Editing | David St. Louis | Colorist |
| Production | Isabelle Foisy | Production Assistant |
| Production | David Birnbaum | Production Assistant |
| Production | Tas | Executive Producer |
| Camera | Sean Ryan | Drone Cinematographer |
| Camera | Sue Johnson | Director of Photography |
