Hamilton Morris

Last updated

Hamilton Morris
Hamilton Morris.png
Born
Hamilton Morris

(1987-04-14) April 14, 1987 (age 36)
Alma mater The University of Chicago
The New School (BSc)
Occupation(s)Journalist, researcher
Known for Hamilton's Pharmacopeia

Hamilton Morris (born April 14, 1987) is an American journalist, documentarian, and scientific researcher. He is the creator and director of the television series Hamilton's Pharmacopeia , in which he investigates the chemistry, history, and cultural impact of various psychoactive drugs.

Contents

Biography

Hamilton Morris was born in New York City, the son of Julia Sheehan, an art historian, and documentary filmmaker Errol Morris. [1] [2] He was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a teenager, Morris appeared in television commercials, notably a 2002 advertisement for the first-generation iPod. [3] He attended the University of Chicago and The New School, where he studied anthropology and chemistry. [4] [5]

Morris's interest in psychoactive substances blossomed in his late teens when he began reading pharmacology information hosted on websites such as Bluelight and Erowid. [6] He began writing for Vice magazine as a college sophomore. He wrote a piece called 'The Magic Jews' in 2008 documenting his experience taking LSD with a group of Hasidic Jews. [7] [8] Vice later hired him to write a monthly print column titled "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" that evolved into a series of articles and documentaries for VBS.tv focused on the science of psychoactive drugs. [1]

Morris is a correspondent and producer for Vice on HBO , as well as a contributor to Harper's Magazine . [9] Morris frequently consults with media on the subject of psychoactive drugs and conducts pharmacological research at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia [1] [10] [11] with an emphasis on the synthesis and history of dissociative anesthetics. [12] [13] [14] [15]

Projects

Video

Hamilton's Pharmacopeia, Viceland

SEASON 1

SEASON 2

SEASON 3

Podcast

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-MeO-DMT</span> Chemical compound

5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) or O-methyl-bufotenin is a psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It is found in a wide variety of plant species, and also is secreted by the glands of at least one toad species, the Colorado River toad. Like its close relatives DMT and bufotenin (5-HO-DMT), it has been used as an entheogen in South America. Slang terms include Five-methoxy, the power, bufo, and toad venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erowid</span> Non-profit educational organization

Erowid, also called Erowid Center, is a non-profit educational organization that provides information about psychoactive plants and chemicals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-HO-DiPT</span> Chemical compound

4-Hydroxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine is a synthetic psychedelic drug. It is a higher homologue of psilocin, 4-HO-DET, and is a positional isomer of 4-HO-DPT and has a tryptamine molecular sub-structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-MeO-DALT</span> Chemical compound

5-MeO-DALT or N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine is a psychedelic tryptamine first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lysergamides</span> Class of chemical compounds

Amides of lysergic acid are collectively known as lysergamides, and include a number of compounds with potent agonist and/or antagonist activity at various serotonin and dopamine receptors. Lysergamides contain an embedded tryptamine structure, and as a result can produce similar, often psychedelic, effects to those of the true tryptamines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AL-LAD</span> Chemical compound (psychedelic drug)

AL-LAD, also known as 6-allyl-6-nor-LSD, is a psychedelic drug and an analog of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It is described by Alexander Shulgin in the book TiHKAL. It is synthesized starting from nor-LSD as a precursor, using allyl bromide as a reactant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide</span> Chemical compound

Lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LA-SS-Az, LSZ) is an analog of LSD developed by the team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It was developed as a rigid analog of LSD with the diethylamide group constrained into an azetidine ring in order to map the binding site at the 5-HT2A receptor. There are three possible stereoisomers around the azetidine ring, with the (S,S)-(+) isomer being the most active, slightly more potent than LSD itself in drug discrimination tests using trained rats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arylcyclohexylamine</span> Class of chemical compounds

Arylcyclohexylamines, also known as arylcyclohexamines or arylcyclohexanamines, are a chemical class of pharmaceutical, designer, and experimental drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-MeO-PCP</span> Chemical compound

3-Methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) is a dissociative hallucinogen of the arylcyclohexylamine class related to phencyclidine (PCP) which has been sold online as a designer drug. It acts mainly as an NMDA receptor antagonist, though it has also been found to interact with the sigma σ1 receptor and the serotonin transporter. The drug does not possess any opioid activity nor does it act as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-MeO-PCP</span> Chemical compound

4-Methoxyphencyclidine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that has been sold online as a research chemical. The synthesis of 4-MeO-PCP was first reported in 1965 by the Parke-Davis medicinal chemist Victor Maddox. A 1999 review published by a chemist using the pseudonym John Q. Beagle suggested the potency of 4-MeO-PCP in man was reduced relative to PCP, two years later Beagle published a detailed description of the synthesis and qualitative effects of 4-MeO-PCP, which he said possessed 70% the potency of PCP. 4-MeO-PCP was the first arylcyclohexylamine research chemical to be sold online, it was introduced in late 2008 by a company trading under the name CBAY and was followed by several related compounds such as 3-MeO-PCP and methoxetamine. 4-MeO-PCP has lower affinity for the NMDA receptor than PCP, but higher affinity than ketamine, it is orally active in a dosage range similar to ketamine, with some users requiring doses in excess of 100 mg for desired effects. Users have reported substantial differences in active dose, these discrepancies can be partially explained by the presence of unreacted PCC and other impurities in samples sold on the grey market. 4-MeO-PCP has Ki values of 404 nM for the NMDA receptor, 713 nM for the norepinephrine transporter, 844 nM for the serotonin transporter, 296 nM for the σ1 receptor and 143 nM for the σ2 receptor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methoxphenidine</span> Chemical compound

Methoxphenidine is a dissociative of the diarylethylamine class that has been sold online as a designer drug. Methoxphenidine was first reported in a 1989 patent where it was tested as a treatment for neurotoxic injury. Shortly after the 2013 UK ban on arylcyclohexylamines methoxphenidine and the related compound diphenidine became available on the gray market, where it has been encountered as a powder and in tablet form. Though diphenidine possesses higher affinity for the NMDA receptor, anecdotal reports suggest methoxphenidine has greater oral potency. Of the three isomeric anisyl-substituents methoxphenidine has affinity for the NMDA receptor that is higher than 4-MeO-Diphenidine but lower than 3-MeO-Diphenidine, a structure–activity relationship shared by the arylcyclohexylamines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluelight (web forum)</span> Web forum and research portal

Bluelight is a web-forum, research portal, online community, and non-profit organization dedicated to harm reduction in drug use. Its userbase includes current and former substance users, academic researchers, drug policy activists, and mental health advocates. It is believed to be the largest online international drug discussion website in the world. As of February 2024, the website claims over 465,000 registered members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AB-CHFUPYCA</span> Chemical compound

AB-CHFUPYCA is a compound that was first identified as a component of synthetic cannabis products in Japan in 2015. The name "AB-CHFUPYCA" is an acronym of its systematic name N-(1-Amino-3-methyl-1-oxoButan-2-yl)-1-(CycloHexylmethyl)-3-(4-FlUorophenyl)-1H-PYrazole-5-CarboxAmide. There are two known regioisomers of AB-CHFUPYCA: 3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA (pictured) and 5,3-AB-CHMFUPPYCA. The article[1] refers to both 3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA and 5,3-AB-CHMFUPPYCA as AB-CHMFUPPYCA isomers, so AB-CHMFUPPYCA and AB-CHFUPYCA are not names for a unique chemical structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ephenidine</span> Dissociative anesthetic designer drug

Ephenidine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been sold online as a designer drug. It is illegal in some countries as a structural isomer of the banned opioid drug lefetamine, but has been sold in countries where it is not yet banned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-MeO-PCE</span> Chemical compound

3-Methoxyeticyclidine (3-MeO-PCE), also known as methoxieticyclidine, is a dissociative anesthetic that is qualitatively similar to PCE and PCP and has been sold online as a designer drug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-MeO-PCMo</span> Chemical compound

3-MeO-PCMo is a dissociative anesthetic drug which is similar in structure to phencyclidine and been sold online as a designer drug. The inhibitory effect of 3-MeO-PCMo on the reduction in the density of the drebrin clusters by NMDAR stimulation with glutamic acid is lower than that of PCP or 3-MeO-PCP, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 26.67 μM (3-MeO-PCMo), 2.02 μM (PCP) and 1.51 μM (3-MeO-PCP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">QMPSB</span> Chemical compound

QMPSB is an arylsulfonamide-based synthetic cannabinoid that has been sold as a designer drug.

Hamilton's Pharmacopeia is an American docuseries, which premiered on Viceland on October 26, 2016. The show follows Hamilton Morris as he explores the history, chemistry and social impact of psychoactive substances. It chronicles Morris' travels and first-hand experiences, as well as interviews with scientists, shamans and fringe culture figures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1P-ETH-LAD</span> Chemical compound

1P-ETH-LAD is an analog of LSD. 1P-ETH-LAD is a psychedelic drug similar to LSD. Research has shown formation of ETH-LAD from 1P-ETH-LAD incubated in human serum, suggesting that it functions as a prodrug. It is part of the lysergamide chemical class. Like ETH-LAD, this drug has been reported to be significantly more potent than LSD itself, and is reported to largely mimic ETH-LAD's psychedelic effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-Methyl-PCPy</span> Chemical compound

3-Methyl-PCPy (3-Me-PCPy) is an arylcyclohexylamine derivative with an unusual spectrum of pharmacological effects, acting as both a potent NMDA antagonist and also a triple reuptake inhibitor which inhibits reuptake of all three monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. It also acts as a high affinity sigma receptor ligand, selective for the σ2 subtype. It produces both stimulant and dissociative effects in animal behavioural studies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Green, Penelope (June 10, 2015). "Nesting, the Vice Media Way". The New York Times . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  2. Eric Andre talks with Hamilton Morris , retrieved June 25, 2021
  3. "Hamilton Morris – Apple iPod Switch Campaign". YouTube . Switch (ad campaign). 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. Perlstein, Rick (September 23, 2007). "What's the Matter With College?". The New York Times . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  5. Simonini, Ross (February 10, 2012). "Hamilton Morris's Web Series Hamilton's Pharmacopeia". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  6. Simonini, Ross (February 10, 2012). "A Psychonaut's Adventures in Videoland". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  7. Margolin, Madison (November 27, 2023). "The Magic Jews". Tablet. Retrieved March 18, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Williamson, Hamilton Morris; Photos: Jess (September 2, 2008). "The Magic Jews". Vice. Retrieved March 19, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Morris, Hamilton (September 20, 2012). "The Weird Science Issue". Vice Magazine . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  10. Halford, Bethany (April 10, 2015). "A Glimpse Inside The Sophisticated World of Synthetic Cannabinoids". Chemical & Engineering News . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  11. Grigoriadis, Vanessa (April 7, 2013). "Travels in the New Psychedelic Bazaar". New York . Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  12. Morris, H.; Wallach, J. (2014). "From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs". Drug Testing and Analysis. 6 (7–8): 614–32. doi:10.1002/dta.1620. PMID   24678061.
  13. Elliott, S.P.; Brandt, S.D.; Wallach, J.; Morris, H.; Kavanagh, S. (2015). "First Reported Fatalities Associated with the 'Research Chemical' 2-Methoxydiphenidine". Analytical Toxicology. 39 (4): 287–293. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkv006 . PMID   25698777.
  14. McLaughlin, G.; Morris, N.; Kavanagh, P.; Power, J.; O'Brien, J.; Talbot, B.; Elliott, S.; Wallach, J.; Hoang, K.; Morris, H.; Brandt, S. (2015). "Test purchase, synthesis, and characterization of 2-methoxydiphenidine (MXP) and differentiation from its meta- and para-substituted isomers" (PDF). Drug Testing and Analysis. 8 (1): 98–109. doi:10.1002/dta.1800. PMID   25873326. S2CID   33626099.
  15. Wallach, J.; Kavanagh, P.; McLaughlin, G.; Morris, N.; Power, J.; Elliott, S.; Mercier, M.; Lodge, D.; Morris, H.; Dempster, N.; Brandt, S. (2014). "Preparation and characterization of the 'research chemical' diphenidine, its pyrrolidine analogue, and their 2,2-diphenylethyl isomers" (PDF). Drug Testing and Analysis. 7 (5): 358–67. doi:10.1002/dta.1689. PMID   25044512.
  16. "'Pharmacopeia' Season Finale Features Cutting Edge Psychedelic Research". Psychedelic Science Review. February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  17. "The Hamilton Morris Podcast". Buzzsprout. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  18. "Hamilton Morris is creating Science, Film". Patreon. Retrieved November 15, 2022.