Hamilton Morris interviews kambo pioneer Peter Gorman

Peter Gorman, a journalist and explorer, recounts his journey into the Amazon and his experiences with its diverse pharmacological and medicinal practices. The conversation centers on his role in breaking the story of the Kambo (Phyllomedusa bicolor) frog skin secretion back in the 1980s, which eventually garnered attention from the scientific community. Gorman reflects on the shift in his own relationship with psychedelics and plant medicine, noting how the initial allure and adventurous spirit of exploring unknown territories gave way to a deeper, sometimes more critical, perspective. He recalls his time reporting on indigenous practices and the ethical complexities of bringing that knowledge to the mainstream, acknowledging how quickly such practices can become commodified or exploited. This interview provides a historical look at the emergence of popular interest in Amazonian medicine while addressing the personal toll and lessons learned by someone who was intimately involved in its early translation to Western audiences.