If you find clandestine chemistry interesting, then listen to Hamilton Morris’ podcast. He has interviewed many clandestine chemists, mostly retired. They’re a class of prohibited scientists, hellbent on advancing psycho-chemical knowledge against all the odds.
A sample of recent episodes:
“Interview with a clandestine MDA enantiopurifier”
“The psychedelic supply chain”
“The True Story of the Penis Envy Mushroom”
His biggest contribution may end up being showing the synthesis of the toad venom chemical.
People have been flocking to the southwest US (and maybe northern Mexico?) to try 5-MEO-DMT, which is expressed by the glands of a toad that’s native to the area. Hamilton made a video where he synthesized the active chemical in the toad venom, in a country where it is legal, and he didn’t have to touch any toads to do it.
In the same video, he showed that many toads were run over by increased traffic. While that’s largely an external factor due to urban sprawl, he argues that leaving the toads alone is a good idea, and I agree.
Yes, I didn’t mean to imply that he discovered it. He demonstrated that it’s a low-cost and high-yield process, and not too difficult to do (I don’t think he’s a trained chemist). Bringing that to many people’s attention is the significant contribution.
I might be overstating its significance relative to the rest of his journalism. 5-MEO-DMT is a niche drug, though once the draconian laws preventing research are loosened it may, like other psychedelics, prove to be medically important.
A sample of recent episodes: “Interview with a clandestine MDA enantiopurifier” “The psychedelic supply chain” “The True Story of the Penis Envy Mushroom”
Stranger stories are hard to find.