PRESS RELEASE
New installation at the Berkeley Alembic spotlights the Shulgins’ East Bay lab, rare archives, and the roots of today’s psychedelic therapy movement
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brad Burge, Integration Communications
brad@integrationcommunications.com
Join us for an evening where science, history, and culture converge to celebrate a pivotal chapter in psychedelic history.
The Shulgin Foundation invites you to the launch of MDMA: From Molecule to Movement, a new archival installation at the Berkeley Alembic—an immersive exploration of the compound that helped shape modern psychedelic therapy—on Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 pm.
Long before MDMA entered clinical trials or mainstream conversation, its modern story began in the East Bay. From a modest 200-square-foot lab in Lafayette, chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin quietly resynthesized the compound in 1976 and introduced it to a network of Bay Area therapists. Alongside Ann Shulgin, whose therapeutic insights helped define its use, their work catalyzed a movement that is now transforming mental health research worldwide.
This installation offers a rare window into that local legacy. On view throughout May, the exhibition features original artifacts from Sasha’s laboratory alongside previously unseen archival materials—many displayed publicly for the first time—tracing MDMA’s journey from obscure molecule to emerging therapeutic tool.
Through the immersive visual language of Bay Area artist Hanif Panni, MDMA: From Molecule to Movement brings this history to life, bridging chemistry, community, and culture.
“This installation is an invitation to step into a story that began right here in the East Bay—one rooted in curiosity, care, and a deep respect for human experience,” said Megan Bowers, Executive Director of the Shulgin Foundation. “Sasha and Ann created spaces where science and connection could unfold side by side, and we feel a responsibility to carry that forward. By sharing these archives with the public, we’re not only honoring their legacy, but helping inspire the next generation of researchers, therapists, and community leaders who will shape what comes next.”
The opening night and month-long program will also feature psychedelic art, music, and opportunities to connect with a community at the forefront of advancing science, education, and responsible access.
The exhibition will be open throughout May during Berkeley Alembic hours and programming. Featured events include The Chalice on May 6 and A Shulgin Archive Retrospective on May 17. Tickets are now available.
This project was supported financially by the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) and its Psychedelics in Society and Culture initiative, funded by Flourish Trust.
ABOUT SHULGIN FOUNDATION
The Shulgin Foundation preserves and advances the legacy of Alexander and Ann Shulgin, pioneering figures in psychedelic science whose work began in the East Bay. Through stewardship of the historic Shulgin Farm in Lafayette and the Shulgin Archive, the Foundation protects original research materials while supporting education, community building, and responsible psychedelic research. Rooted in the Shulgins’ ethos of rigorous inquiry and openness, the Foundation connects the field’s history to its rapidly evolving future.
