Hamilton Morris, the insightful chemist and documentarian behind "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" sat down with North Spore’s co-founder Matt McInnis to talk about his unique path weaving psychedelic research, investigative journalism, and the intricate world of chemistry. Morris shares candid insights on the hurdles facing drug research, the media's portrayal of psychoactive substances, and the rising scientific interest in MDMA and psilocybin. We also uncover his perspectives on the significance of cultivation, the trajectory of psychedelic science, and the groundbreaking advancements in mushroom biosynthesis, focusing on the pursuit of heightened potency.
This interview has been edited for clarity. For access to the full interview, check out the video below.
Matt: Hamilton Morris, let's start with your journey. From Vice to Compass Pathways, Alternative Leads, Patreon, and your podcast – how did it all unfold?
Hamilton: I've explored psychedelics and chemistry for about 16 years. Vice was a great starting point; they offered creative freedom, which is rare in media. Mainstream publications often stifle truth or complexity. For instance, I'm currently trying to publish on a hearing about unusual psychedelics, and the editorial feedback is frustratingly shallow. It feels like crucial aspects are being ignored. My podcast became a necessity to express things I couldn't publish elsewhere, due to cultural biases against drugs and simplistic interpretations of their effects.
Matt: Is your podcast a direct response to this loss of journalistic freedom?
Hamilton: Partly. Legacy media is declining; independent platforms often outperform them. But mostly, the podcast is about freedom. I can discuss complex chemistry without dumbing it down. If people are confused, that's okay. It's better than catering to a hypothetical "general audience."
Matt: What sparked your deep interest in chemistry? Did it precede your fascination with psychoactive substances?
Hamilton: If you're passionate about drugs, chemistry becomes essential. It’s like learning music theory to truly appreciate music. Chemistry provides the scientific foundation to understand drugs on multiple levels—pharmacology, law, economics, and their cultural impact.
Matt McInnis and Hamilton Morris working on a substrate project
Matt: You wrote about Ann and Alexander Shulgin in "The Shulgins I Have Known and Loved." Can you share their impact on you?
Hamilton: They were a remarkable team. Alexander was a chemist, Ann a pioneer in psychedelic psychotherapy. They evaluated novel psychoactive substances responsibly. I was drawn to their work and their personalities. I called them as a college freshman, got invited to visit, and was amazed by their diverse community. It wasn't just chemists; it was spiritual seekers, botanists, mycologists. They were incredibly welcoming and non-judgmental, a rare feat in today's divided psychedelic community.
Matt: What do you see as your role in the psychedelic community?
Hamilton: I focus on chemistry, especially underground chemistry, because few others do. During the Silk Road trial, I realized I preferred uncovering untold stories. Chemistry is often overlooked but fundamental to the drug world.
Matt: Hamilton's Pharmacopeia did a great job making chemistry engaging. Can you talk about its creation?
Hamilton: People find chemistry boring because they don't see it. Filming reactions makes them fascinating. Alexander Shulgin was a great speaker but rarely discussed chemical reactions. With cameras, you can show the brilliant blue color of a reaction and connect it to natural phenomena. It makes it interesting.
Matt: What's been your most surprising or impactful personal discovery?
Hamilton: The podcast is liberating; no creative bureaucracy. Recently, I explored the story of the penis envy mushroom creator. These stories are easily lost, unlike the often unanswerable questions about ancient psychedelic use.
Matt: Speaking of cultivated psychedelics, what's your experience with psilocybin?
Hamilton: I'm cautious about dosage, so I prefer synthetic sources. But mushrooms are amazing. Their duration and effects are near-perfect. There's a reason they're so popular.
Matt: What are your thoughts on psychedelic therapy?
Hamilton: The surge of psychedelic pharmaceutical companies was overhyped. The FDA's rejection of MDMA was a reality check. Public opinion is fickle. The infighting within the psychedelic community during the MDMA trials was shocking. Patent disputes and sensationalist journalism distorted public perception.
Matt: Can you elaborate on that?
Bre, Taylor, and Matt with Hamilton
Hamilton: Reputational battles and illusory moral lines distorted public perception. Journalists fueled the fire. For example, people feared hand-holding was patented. Even Tim Tyler, a former life-sentenced drug offender, was more concerned about patent law than federal prohibition. Sensationalist reporting caused this.
Matt: What about irresponsible business practices, like the Diamond Shrooms recall?
Hamilton: Businesses should minimize harm, but society must accept some risk. Third-party testing and clear labeling are essential. However, the regulatory system often incentivizes deception. The "spice" K2 products were intentionally unlabeled, creating dangerous situations.
Matt: How has drug policy affected your work?
Hamilton: I've faced many legal hurdles, often nonsensical. Synthesizing 5-MeO-DMT in Mexico was a nightmare. The legal team claimed it contained DMT, which is a philosophical debate, not a legal one. Drug laws are often vague, leaving room for arbitrary interference.
Matt: As a millennial psychedelic luminary, who are your contemporaries and who inspires you from younger generations?
Hamilton: Many chemists are doing great work—Cunningham, Sam Bannister, the Alexander Shulgin Research Institute, Marc Martini. Journalism is lacking. Rachel Nuwer is good, but there are few others. Tim Ferriss's grant often goes to anti-drug journalists because there's so little quality psychedelic journalism.
Matt: What are the hallmarks of good journalism?
Hamilton: It shouldn't make the world worse. During the MDMA controversy, journalists ignored clear misrepresentations and conflicts of interest. They even ignored corrections. There's a lot of made up stuff. No one cares. Drug reporting is marginalized, yet drugs impact medicine, science, psychiatry, and economics.
Matt: Let's talk about the substrate project with North Spore.
Hamilton: Jochen Gartz’s papers on impregnating mushroom substrates with chemicals were remarkable. They inspired a religion and countless forum posts, yet no one had replicated the experiments. Legal hurdles and the lack of testing services hindered this. Now, with decriminalization and advanced testing, we can finally reproduce and expand on Gartz’s work. It's exciting.
Matt: What's your advice for someone exploring psychedelics?
Hamilton: Cultivate them. Growing mushrooms or cacti creates a personal connection. It's not just about consumption; it's about understanding the process.
Matt: Thanks for your time, Hamilton.
Hamilton: Thank you, Matt.
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