The official free-to-watch premiere of A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin is now streaming on TIMEWHEEL. Since the film’s release in 2015, it has brought together a large family of devoted individuals who have been invaluable in this uphill struggle that we continue to face in making these substances available to those who need them the most. Together, through the spread of awareness and testimonial transparency, we have great hope that we will all see these medicines through to the proper recognition and utilization that they deserve.
For those of you who are not familiar with the film, A New Understanding explores the treatment of end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients using psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in some mushrooms, to facilitate deeply spiritual experiences. The documentary explores the confluence of science and spirituality in the first psychedelic research studies since the 1970s with terminally ill patients.
As a society we devote a great deal of attention to treating cancer, but very little to treating the human being who is dying of cancer. The recent resurgence of psychedelic research is once again revealing the power of compounds like psilocybin to profoundly alter our understanding of both life and death. Through the eyes of patients, their loved ones, therapists, and researchers, A New Understanding examines the use of psilocybin in a controlled setting to reduce psychospiritual anxiety, depression, and physical pain.
The treatment aims to help the patient understand that a ‘good’ death is possible, and to help the patient’s family deal well with the dying process. A New Understanding shows patients and their families coming to terms with dying through the skillful treatment of the whole human being. If we can learn to work more skillfully with dying, we will also learn to take better care of life.
Enjoy the full-length documentary in the stream above and become a part of the ANU community by visiting:
ANewUnderstanding.org | Facebook | Twitter
If you would like to show your support for the film, it is available for purchase & download:
Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Vimeo
