In a world constantly seeking new ways to live, the latest film by Lynette Wallworth, Edge of Life, dares to ask a different question: what about new ways to die? The film explores the potential of psychedelics in palliative care, particularly psilocybin, to transform the dying process and, by extension, how we live. This documentary, rooted in a clinical trial at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s hospital, challenges conventional perspectives on death and dying.
The film features Dr. Justin Dwyer and Dr. Margaret Ross, who are pioneering an Australian-first clinical trial on the use of psilocybin in palliative care. Despite the common assumption that their work might be depressing, Dwyer describes it as “the most life-affirming environment” he has ever worked in, emphasizing that it’s fundamentally about living. He notes that traditional medicine often fails to address patients’ deeper fears and uncertainties, a gap that psychedelics might fill.
The Role of Psychedelics in Palliative Care
Psychedelics have been used in various cultural practices for centuries, and recent research has sparked renewed interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. Wallworth’s film highlights this resurgence, focusing on the clinical trial led by Dwyer and Ross. The trial explores how psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, can help patients come to terms with their mortality.
Early in the film, Dwyer and Ross are shown engaging with Amazonian and Maya shamans to learn about traditional uses of psychedelics. Their journey takes them to the Amazon, where they participate in an ayahuasca ceremony guided by Muka Yawanawa, a shaman of the Yawanawá people. This experience is intended to deepen their understanding of the potential benefits of psychedelics in their clinical work.
Cultural Perspectives on Death and Dying
The film weaves in perspectives from the Yawanawá community, opening with stunning visuals of the Amazon’s Gregório River and a voiceover reflecting on ancient stories and prophecies. Wallworth’s artistic vision is evident in these scenes, which symbolize cleansing and renewal, and are complemented by beautiful aesthetic flourishes throughout the film.
Several subjects in the film, including Dr. Chris Kerr from New York’s Buffalo hospice palliative care, offer grounded, professional insights. Kerr acknowledges his “natural discomfort” with spiritual ideas, yet he recognizes the universal presence of concepts about dying across cultures, from religious texts to indigenous traditions.
Expert Opinions and Cultural Insights
While the film provides a unique perspective on the intersection of science and ancient practices, some viewers might wish for a deeper exploration of how other cultures use psychedelics to understand death. Wallworth, however, manages to balance numerous elements and voices, allowing the trial participants to share their journeys in their own words.
“These sorts of ideas are hardly new, treating them as lost rather than undiscovered knowledge.”
Implications for Life and Death
Edge of Life is a thought-provoking exploration of new possibilities at the crossroads of science, ancient wisdom, and a renewed willingness to reconsider the dying process. By improving our understanding of death, the film suggests, we might also find new ways to enrich and enhance our lives.
Wallworth acknowledges the paradox of a subject that is both universal and yet rarely discussed in terms of personal growth and improvement. The film challenges audiences to rethink their perceptions of death, not as an end, but as a potential source of insight and transformation.
As the conversation around psychedelics in medicine continues to evolve, Edge of Life offers a timely and compelling contribution to the dialogue, inviting viewers to consider how these insights might inform not just how we die, but how we choose to live.
