Hamilton's Pharmacopeia
Updated: 12/11/2025, 4:55:39 PM Wikipedia source
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.
Infobox
Genre
Docuseries
Created by
Hamilton Morris
Directed by
Hamilton Morris
Country of origin
United States
No. of seasons
3
No. of episodes
20
Executive producer
Hamilton Morris
Running time
45 minutes
Network
Viceland
Release
October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26) –February 8, 2021 (2021-02-08)
Tables
First released
First released
Season
First released
Episodes
Last released
1
1
Season
1
Episodes
6
Episodes
October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)
Originally released
December 7, 2016 (2016-12-07)
2
2
Season
2
Episodes
8
Episodes
November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28)
Originally released
January 16, 2018 (2018-01-16)
3
3
Season
3
Episodes
6
Episodes
January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04)
Originally released
February 8, 2021 (2021-02-08)
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 6 | October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26) | December 7, 2016 (2016-12-07) | |
| 2 | 8 | November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) | January 16, 2018 (2018-01-16) | |
| 3 | 6 | January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04) | February 8, 2021 (2021-02-08) | |
· Episodes › Season 1 (2016)
1
1
No.overall
1
No. inseason
1
Title
"The Story of the South African Quaalude — South Africa is the last place on earth Quaaludes can still be found. Hamilton travels there to study the drug and finds a dark history of medical experimentation."
Original release date
October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)
2
2
No.overall
2
No. inseason
2
Title
"A Positive PCP Story — Hamilton travels across the USA meeting with addicts, dealers, chemists, and celebrities to trace the history of PCP from its pharmaceutical origins to its escape onto the streets."
Original release date
November 2, 2016 (2016-11-02)
3
3
No.overall
3
No. inseason
3
Title
"Shepherdess: The Story of Salvia Divinorum — From the heavenly cloud forests of Oaxaca to a viral video of Miley Cyrus, Hamilton investigates the inconspicuous yet extraordinary psychedelic plant Salvia divinorum."
Original release date
November 9, 2016 (2016-11-09)
4
4
No.overall
4
No. inseason
4
Title
"Magic Mushrooms in Mexico - Hamilton examines the historical and ethnobotanical uses of Psilocybe species. He travels to Oaxaca, Jalisco and Florida. On this journey he attends a traditional ceremony hosted by Maria Sabina’s son."
Original release date
November 16, 2016 (2016-11-16)
5
5
No.overall
5
No. inseason
5
Title
"Fish N' Trips — Hamilton embarks on an aquatic adventure to Reunion Island and Madagascar to investigate ichthyoallyeinotoxism and a twisted history of hallucinogenic fish."
Original release date
November 30, 2016 (2016-11-30)
6
6
No.overall
6
No. inseason
6
Title
"The Lazy Lizard School of Hedonism — Hamilton meets with famed LSD chemist Casey Hardison in the Nevada desert and embark on a road trip to visit an unsung hero of psychedelic history - Darrell Lemaire."
Original release date
December 7, 2016 (2016-12-07)
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | 1 | "The Story of the South African Quaalude — South Africa is the last place on earth Quaaludes can still be found. Hamilton travels there to study the drug and finds a dark history of medical experimentation." | October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26) |
| 2 | 2 | "A Positive PCP Story — Hamilton travels across the USA meeting with addicts, dealers, chemists, and celebrities to trace the history of PCP from its pharmaceutical origins to its escape onto the streets." | November 2, 2016 (2016-11-02) |
| 3 | 3 | "Shepherdess: The Story of Salvia Divinorum — From the heavenly cloud forests of Oaxaca to a viral video of Miley Cyrus, Hamilton investigates the inconspicuous yet extraordinary psychedelic plant Salvia divinorum." | November 9, 2016 (2016-11-09) |
| 4 | 4 | "Magic Mushrooms in Mexico - Hamilton examines the historical and ethnobotanical uses of Psilocybe species. He travels to Oaxaca, Jalisco and Florida. On this journey he attends a traditional ceremony hosted by Maria Sabina’s son." | November 16, 2016 (2016-11-16) |
| 5 | 5 | "Fish N' Trips — Hamilton embarks on an aquatic adventure to Reunion Island and Madagascar to investigate ichthyoallyeinotoxism and a twisted history of hallucinogenic fish." | November 30, 2016 (2016-11-30) |
| 6 | 6 | "The Lazy Lizard School of Hedonism — Hamilton meets with famed LSD chemist Casey Hardison in the Nevada desert and embark on a road trip to visit an unsung hero of psychedelic history - Darrell Lemaire." | December 7, 2016 (2016-12-07) |
· Episodes › Season 2 (2017–18)
7
7
No.overall
7
No. inseason
1
Title
"The Psychedelic Toad — Hamilton embarks on a quest to answer the most important question in ethnoherpetological history and along the way, he finds the power of love."
Original release date
November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28)
8
8
No.overall
8
No. inseason
2
Title
"Peyote: The Divine Messenger — From the greenhouses of Thai cactophiles to the Tamaulipan thornscrub, Hamilton traces the history of peyote with the help of a Native American peyotist."
Original release date
December 5, 2017 (2017-12-05)
9
9
No.overall
9
No. inseason
3
Title
"Kratom: The Forbidden Leaf — Hamilton investigates the pharmacology and traditional uses of Kratom, a Thai tree with opioid-containing leaves."
Original release date
December 12, 2017 (2017-12-12)
10
10
No.overall
10
No. inseason
4
Title
"Wizards of DMT — Hamilton travels across North America to study how and why DMT exists in the environment and the laboratory."
Original release date
December 19, 2017 (2017-12-19)
11
11
No.overall
11
No. inseason
5
Title
"Ketamine: Realms and Realities — 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."
Original release date
December 26, 2017 (2017-12-26)
12
12
No.overall
12
No. inseason
6
Title
"A Clandestine Chemist's Tale — Hamilton meets an unsung hero of the psychedelic underground and hears a tragic tale of MDMA synthesis and chemiluminescence."
Original release date
January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02)
13
13
No.overall
13
No. inseason
7
Title
"A Fungal Fairy Tale — Hamilton ascends the Carpathian Mountains, microscope in hand, to learn how Europeans use Amanita muscaria, and uncovers the chemistry behind a mushroom-inspired pharmaceutical."
Original release date
January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09)
14
14
No.overall
14
No. inseason
8
Title
"The Cactus Apprentice — 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."
Original release date
January 16, 2018 (2018-01-16)
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Original release date |
| 7 | 1 | "The Psychedelic Toad — Hamilton embarks on a quest to answer the most important question in ethnoherpetological history and along the way, he finds the power of love." | November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) |
| 8 | 2 | "Peyote: The Divine Messenger — From the greenhouses of Thai cactophiles to the Tamaulipan thornscrub, Hamilton traces the history of peyote with the help of a Native American peyotist." | December 5, 2017 (2017-12-05) |
| 9 | 3 | "Kratom: The Forbidden Leaf — Hamilton investigates the pharmacology and traditional uses of Kratom, a Thai tree with opioid-containing leaves." | December 12, 2017 (2017-12-12) |
| 10 | 4 | "Wizards of DMT — Hamilton travels across North America to study how and why DMT exists in the environment and the laboratory." | December 19, 2017 (2017-12-19) |
| 11 | 5 | "Ketamine: Realms and Realities — 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." | December 26, 2017 (2017-12-26) |
| 12 | 6 | "A Clandestine Chemist's Tale — Hamilton meets an unsung hero of the psychedelic underground and hears a tragic tale of MDMA synthesis and chemiluminescence." | January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02) |
| 13 | 7 | "A Fungal Fairy Tale — Hamilton ascends the Carpathian Mountains, microscope in hand, to learn how Europeans use Amanita muscaria, and uncovers the chemistry behind a mushroom-inspired pharmaceutical." | January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09) |
| 14 | 8 | "The Cactus Apprentice — 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." | January 16, 2018 (2018-01-16) |
· Episodes › Season 3 (2021)
15
15
No.overall
15
No. inseason
1
Title
"Synthetic Toad Venom Machine — 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."
Original release date
January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04)
16
16
No.overall
16
No. inseason
2
Title
"A Positive Methamphetamine Story — Hamilton explores the simultaneous chemically seductive and insidiously dangerous world of crystal methamphetamine. A drug that has by rule of economics become one of the world's most popular ones."
Original release date
January 11, 2021 (2021-01-11)
17
17
No.overall
17
No. inseason
3
Title
"Xenon: the Perfect Anesthetic?"
Original release date
January 18, 2021 (2021-01-18)
18
18
No.overall
18
No. inseason
4
Title
"Synthetic Ibogaine: Natural Tramadol — Hamilton travels to meet with several research scientists to understand how or why tramadol, believed to be a purely synthetic lab created substance, was found in harvested African ibogaine root. He then travels to Africa to learn how this plant is being used as a treatment for tramadol addiction and a variety of other physical and mental ailments."
Original release date
January 25, 2021 (2021-01-25)
19
19
No.overall
19
No. inseason
5
Title
"Bufotenine: In Search of Hataj -
Hamilton responds to viewer demands for a review on bufotenine. He travels to Northern Argentina to observe Anadenanthera in its native environment and examine the ancient ethnobotanical uses."
Original release date
February 1, 2021 (2021-02-01)
20
20
No.overall
20
No. inseason
6
Title
"Ultra LSD — With the precise structure of LSD's molecular target identified, Hamilton discusses a new era of psychedelic research and, along the way, meets pioneers of the field."
Original release date
February 8, 2021 (2021-02-08)
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Original release date |
| 15 | 1 | "Synthetic Toad Venom Machine — 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." | January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04) |
| 16 | 2 | "A Positive Methamphetamine Story — Hamilton explores the simultaneous chemically seductive and insidiously dangerous world of crystal methamphetamine. A drug that has by rule of economics become one of the world's most popular ones." | January 11, 2021 (2021-01-11) |
| 17 | 3 | "Xenon: the Perfect Anesthetic?" | January 18, 2021 (2021-01-18) |
| 18 | 4 | "Synthetic Ibogaine: Natural Tramadol — Hamilton travels to meet with several research scientists to understand how or why tramadol, believed to be a purely synthetic lab created substance, was found in harvested African ibogaine root. He then travels to Africa to learn how this plant is being used as a treatment for tramadol addiction and a variety of other physical and mental ailments." | January 25, 2021 (2021-01-25) |
| 19 | 5 | "Bufotenine: In Search of Hataj - Hamilton responds to viewer demands for a review on bufotenine. He travels to Northern Argentina to observe Anadenanthera in its native environment and examine the ancient ethnobotanical uses." | February 1, 2021 (2021-02-01) |
| 20 | 6 | "Ultra LSD — With the precise structure of LSD's molecular target identified, Hamilton discusses a new era of psychedelic research and, along the way, meets pioneers of the field." | February 8, 2021 (2021-02-08) |
References
- The Guardianhttps://web.archive.org/web/20201112035023/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/16/pcp-psychedelic-fish-hamilton-morris-the-stories-behind-the-worlds-strangest-drugs-viceland
- The New York Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20150611153405/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/11/style/nesting-the-vice-media-way.html
- "Morris Reveals the Genius Behind His Drug-Centered Series 'Hamilton's Pharmacopeia'"https://web.archive.org/web/20170303162108/https://brandeishoot.com/2017/03/03/morris-reveals-the-genius-behind-his-drug-centered-series-hamiltons-pharmacopeia/
- The New York Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20120213154413/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/movies/hamilton-morriss-web-series-hamiltons-pharmacopeia.html
- HBOhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180921191204/https://www.hbo.com/vice/cast-and-crew/hamilton-morris
- "Season 3 Trailer"https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/trailer-1-89/5fd14a9ce3822a5a6e7b0fc3
- "The Story of the South African Quaalude"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6565454/
- "A Positive PCP Story"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6565384/
- "Shepherdess: The Story of Salvia Divinorum"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6565552/
- "Fish N' Trips"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6565584/
- "The Lazy Lizard School of Hedonism"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6565610/
- "The Psychedelic Toad"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587424/
- "Peyote: The Divine Messenger"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587430/
- "Kratom: The Forbidden Leaf"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587394/
- "Wizards of DMT"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587384/
- "Ketamine: Realms and Realities"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587406/
- "A Clandestine Chemist's Tale"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587686/
- "A Fungal Fairy Tale"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587798/
- "The Cactus Apprentice"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587992/
- The Futon Critichttp://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/hamiltons-pharmacopeia/listings/
- "Synthetic Toad Venom Machine"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13917874/
- "A Positive Methamphetamine Story"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14099122/
- "Synthetic Ibogaine: Natural Tramadol"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14099132/
- "Ultra LSD"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14099154/
- the Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/16/pcp-psychedelic-fish-hamilton-morris-the-stories-behind-the-worlds-strangest-drugs-viceland
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/movies/hamilton-morriss-web-series-hamiltons-pharmacopeia.html
- the Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jun/02/hamilton-morris-vice-drugs-documentaries