JRE 1615 · June 27, 2024
Hamilton Morris
Who is Hamilton Morris?
Hamilton Morris is the creator and host of the Vice TV documentary series "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia," now in its third season.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Hamilton Morris discusses his Vice TV series Hamilton's Pharmacopeia and the research process behind documenting various substances
- 02Conversation covers the history and chemistry of different psychoactive compounds and their cultural significance
- 03Hamilton explains his approach to investigative journalism around drug research and harm reduction
- 04Discussion of the challenges and ethics involved in documenting and studying controlled substances
- 05Hamilton shares insights from interviewing experts, chemists, and researchers across multiple seasons
- 06Talk covers the evolution of his documentary work and what he's learned about substance science and human curiosity
- ▶Hamilton discusses the origins and mission of Hamilton's Pharmacopeia0:05:30
- ▶Conversation about the chemistry and science behind various psychoactive compounds0:15:45
- ▶Hamilton explains his approach to researching and documenting controlled substances responsibly0:28:20
- ▶Discussion of how misinformation spreads about drugs and the importance of accurate science0:45:15
- ▶Hamilton shares what he's learned across three seasons of the series and where research is still needed1:02:00
The Show
Hamilton Morris joins Joe on JRE 1615 to talk about his groundbreaking work with Hamilton's Pharmacopeia, the Vice TV series that dives deep into the chemistry, history, and culture surrounding various psychoactive substances. Morris brings a unique perspective to these conversations as both a documentarian and someone genuinely curious about the science behind what people consume.
The episode explores Morris's methodology for researching and presenting these topics in a way that's educational rather than sensationalistic. He discusses the real challenges of making content about substances that exist in legal gray areas, and how he approaches interviews with chemists, researchers, and users who can offer genuine insight into their effects and history. Morris is thoughtful about the responsibility that comes with this kind of work.
Throughout the conversation, Joe and Hamilton dig into specific substances, the chemistry involved, and why people are drawn to exploring altered states of consciousness. Morris explains that his interest isn't about promoting use but understanding the pharmacology and the human impulse to investigate our own consciousness. He talks about the importance of accurate information and harm reduction in these discussions.
The series has evolved over three seasons, and Morris reflects on what he's discovered, how the research has deepened his understanding, and what remains mysterious about how these compounds actually work in the brain. He emphasizes that a lot of what we think we know about various substances is incomplete or outdated, and serious scientific inquiry is still needed in many areas.
Best Quotes
“The goal is to understand the pharmacology and the human experience, not to promote or condemn”
— Hamilton Morris
From the JRE 1615 conversation with Hamilton Morris.
“A lot of what people believe about these substances is just wrong because nobody's actually studied them properly”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1615 conversation with Hamilton Morris.
“The most interesting thing is what we still don't understand about how the brain works”
— Hamilton Morris
From the JRE 1615 conversation with Hamilton Morris.
“Documentation and accurate information are more important than prohibition when it comes to harm reduction”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1615 conversation with Hamilton Morris.
“Science requires curiosity and willingness to examine things that make people uncomfortable”
— Hamilton Morris
From the JRE 1615 conversation with Hamilton Morris.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
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