Hamilton Morris: r/Psychonaut and the DEA

Divergent States

Hamilton Morris joins Divergent States to unpack a bizarre twist in the drug war: the DEA is using Reddit posts and trip reports as courtroom “evidence.”

What happens when harm-reduction advice and half-baked comments are weaponized to criminalize psychedelics? And how do communities like r/Psychonaut survive in that climate?

In this wide-ranging conversation, we cut through hype and paranoia to tackle the future of psychedelic research, regulation, and responsibility.

We dig into the ethical tightrope between transparency and safety, the flawed logic of prohibition, and why silence isn’t a sustainable strategy. Hamilton breaks down his firsthand experience attending the DOI scheduling hearing, his efforts to build a scientifically vetted user-report journal, and how communities like r/Psychonaut are caught in the crosshairs of policy and paranoia.

Whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or just exploring the space, this episode cuts through the hype and hysteria to ask the real questions: How do we speak honestly about altered states in a world that punishes honesty?

Topics include:
• The DEA’s use of Reddit as courtroom “evidence”
• Why trip reports matter and how they’re being misused
• The dangers of pharmacological elitism and spiritual gatekeeping
• The real meaning of harm reduction in an outlaw culture
• The future of psychedelic research, regulation, and responsibility

🎶 Featuring music by Flintwick | Support us on Patreon for exclusive episodes & bonus content.
💬 Reddit: r/Psychonaut | IG: @divergentstates | #SetSettingGuide

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Episode
02:50 The Importance of Transparency in Psychedelic Discussions
06:04 Balancing Honesty and Safety in Sharing Experiences
10:33 Community Responsibility and the Impact of Online Discourse
15:54 The Role of Advocacy and Legal Support in Drug Policy Reform
20:08 Navigating the Challenges of Scientific Research and Public Perception
24:08 The Importance of Evidence in Psychedelic Communities
29:20 Navigating the Wild West of Online Drug Discussions
31:06 Spirituality vs. Scientific Analysis in Psychedelics
34:00 The Dangers of Pharmacological Elitism
37:04 Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: A Call for Rational Drug Policy
44:06 The Future of Psychedelic Therapy and Accessibility
48:28 Integrating Cannabis into Society
50:13 Destigmatization and Education on Psychedelics
52:39 The Hype and Risks of Psychedelics
56:43 Understanding Challenging Experiences with Psychedelics
01:01:45 Cumulative Impact of Substance Use
01:07:34 Bringing Psychedelics into the Open

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Kapitler

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. The Importance of Transparency in Psychedelic Discussions (00:02:50)

3. Balancing Honesty and Safety in Sharing Experiences (00:06:40)

4. Community Responsibility and the Impact of Online Discourse (00:11:14)

5. The Role of Advocacy and Legal Support in Drug Policy Reform (00:16:35)

6. Navigating the Challenges of Scientific Research and Public Perception (00:21:35)

7. The Importance of Evidence in Psychedelic Communities (00:25:35)

8. Navigating the Wild West of Online Drug Discussions (00:30:47)

9. Spirituality vs. Scientific Analysis in Psychedelics (00:32:33)

10. The Dangers of Pharmacological Elitism (00:35:27)

11. Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: A Call for Rational Drug Policy (00:38:31)

12. The Future of Psychedelic Therapy and Accessibility (00:45:33)

13. Integrating Cannabis into Society (00:49:55)

14. Destigmatization and Education on Psychedelics (00:51:40)

15. The Hype and Risks of Psychedelics (00:54:06)

16. Understanding Challenging Experiences with Psychedelics (00:58:10)

17. Cumulative Impact of Substance Use (01:03:12)

18. Bringing Psychedelics into the Open (01:09:01)