Las Cruces documentary screening puts ‘magic mushroom’ care in the spotlight

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- New Mexico is the third state to legalize the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health, trauma and end-of-life care. A new documentary on the subject is being screened in Las Cruces this Friday. The film puts the conversation of psilocybin treatment in the spotlight.

Psilocybin therapy, also known as magic mushrooms, are powerful. Some say it's a game changer for treating things like addiction and PTSD.

Film Director Christopher Cramer tells me he decided to make the documentary after a life-changing conversation with a friend's mother. She explained to him how the therapy had helped her heal and be able to talk about terrible things that happened to her as a young girl. She had been holding on to the pain for all these years, and is finally finding a way to acknowledge and move past it.

The film, called "Journeys," shares deeply personal stories and beliefs about healing, consciousness, and transformation. It explores the use of psychedelics to treat mental health, trauma, end-of-life care, and emerging therapeutic approaches, as well as the possibility and complexity of these experiences.

Cramer says the idea is not to sway anyone, but to inform people of what treatments are available, and working for many.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Medical Psilocybin Act into law in April of 2025. In June of that same year, the Medical Psilocybin Act officially took legal effect. The New Mexico Department of Health will launch the program in December 2026, a year ahead of the deadline set by state lawmakers.

A screening of Journeys is taking place Friday, September 18th in Las Cruces at the theater. Doors open at 5pm, and a panel discussion with the filmmakers and New Mexico State Senator Jeff Steinborn will follow.www.journeysfilm.com