Hamilton's Pharmacopeia

Hamilton's Pharmacopeia

Join an incredible journey through the history, chemistry and societal impacts of the world’s most extraordinary drugs.

Documentary

Seasons

The Story of the South African Quaalude

1. The Story of the South African Quaalude

Air Date: 2016-10-26

South Africa is the last place on earth Quaaludes can still be found; Hamilton travels there to study the drug and learns of a dark history of medical experimentation.

A Positive PCP Story

2. A Positive PCP Story

Air Date: 2016-11-02

Hamilton investigates the history of PCP in the U.S., seeking input from addicts, dealers and chemists.

Shepherdess: The Story of Salvia Divinorium

3. Shepherdess: The Story of Salvia Divinorium

Air Date: 2016-11-09

From the heavenly cloud forests of Oaxaca to a viral video of Miley Cyrus, Hamilton investigates the inconspicuous yet extraordinary psychedelic plant Salvia divinorum.

Magic Mushrooms in Mexico

4. Magic Mushrooms in Mexico

Air Date: 2016-11-16

Hamilton explores magic mushrooms with the help of shamans, clandestine growers, and ethnomycologists.

Fish N' Trips

5. Fish N' Trips

Air Date: 2016-11-30

Hamilton embarks on an aquatic adventure to Reunion Island and Madagascar to investigate ichthyoallyeinotoxism and a twisted history of hallucinogenic fish.

The Lazy Lizard School of Hedonism

6. The Lazy Lizard School of Hedonism

Air Date: 2016-12-07

We meet with famed LSD chemist Casey Hardison in the Nevada desert and embark on a roadtrip to visit the unsung hero of psychedelic history.

The Psychedelic Toad

1. The Psychedelic Toad

Air Date: 2017-11-28

Hamilton embarks on a quest to answer the most important question in ethnoherpetological history and along the way, he finds the power of love.

Peyote: The Divine Messenger

2. Peyote: The Divine Messenger

Air Date: 2017-12-05

From the greenhouses of Thai cactophiles to the Tamaulipan thornscrub, Hamilton traces the history of peyote with the help of a Native American peyotist.

Kratom: The Forbidden Leaf

3. Kratom: The Forbidden Leaf

Air Date: 2017-12-12

Hamilton investigates the pharmacology and traditional uses of Kratom, a Thai tree with opioid-containing leaves.

Wizards of DMT

4. Wizards of DMT

Air Date: 2017-12-19

Hamilton travels across North America to study how and why DMT exists in the environment and the laboratory.

Ketamine: Realms and Realities

5. Ketamine: Realms and Realities

Air Date: 2017-12-26

Hamilton heads to India to see industrial Ketamine synthesis, and speak with therapists and luminaries in an attempt to understand the role of dissociative anesthetics in society.

A Clandestine Chemist's Tale

6. A Clandestine Chemist's Tale

Air Date: 2018-01-02

Hamilton meets an unsung hero of the psychedelic underground and hears a tragic tale of MDMA synthesis and chemiluminescence.

A Fungal Fairy Tale

7. A Fungal Fairy Tale

Air Date: 2018-01-09

Hamilton ascends the Carpathian Mountains, microscope in hand, to learn how Europeans use Amanita muscaria, and uncovers the chemistry behind a mushroom-inspired pharmaceutical.

The Cactus Apprentice

8. The Cactus Apprentice

Air Date: 2018-01-16

Deep in the Andean highlands of Peru, Hamilton becomes the apprentice of a local shaman, learning how to use the night-blooming San Pedro cactus as a medicine.

Synthetic Toad Venom Machine

1. Synthetic Toad Venom Machine

Air Date: 2021-01-04

Haunted by past mistakes, Hamilton embarks on a journey to correct an error in his reporting and identifies the origin of an international toad venom smoking phenomenon.

A Positive Methamphetamine Story

2. A Positive Methamphetamine Story

Air Date: 2021-01-11

From X-ray crystallography to vesicular dopamine release, Hamilton travels the country visiting meth labs in order to understand the process behind a great American folk art.

Xenon: the Perfect Anesthetic?

3. Xenon: the Perfect Anesthetic?

Air Date: 2021-01-18

Hamilton traces the multibillion year history of nitrous oxide on Earth and follows the strangest noble gas to the Czech Republic.

4. Synethetic Ibogaine-Natural Tramadol

Air Date: 2021-01-25

After revealing a scientific mystery around Tramadol-addicted cows in Central Africa, Hamilton follows a Gabonese opiate addict to a psychedelic ritual.

5. Bufotenine: In Search of Hataj

Air Date: 2021-02-01

Succumbing to viewer requests, Hamilton journeys to South America to understand the legend of Bufotenine, the world's oldest psychedelic.

6. Ultra LSD

Air Date: 2021-02-08

With the precise structure of LSD's molecular target identified, Hamilton discusses the new era of psychedelic research and meets pioneers of the field.

Select an episode to start watching

Rating

9.0/10

Release Date

2016-10-26

Episodes

20 (3 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Videos