Chris Kilham (born July 22, 1952) is an author, educator, and researcher of plant-based medicines. He is known for his appearances on Fox News as the "Medicine Hunter".
Family Background
Chris Kilham was born and raised in a family of ministers, broadcast and public speaking professionals. He is the son of Elizabeth Scalise Kilham “Bette Day” (1925-2006) and Gene Kilham (1919-1971). Bette Day was one of the first female television broadcasters at Boston's WBZ-TV and also worked as a radio disc jockey. Gene Kilham worked in broadcasting and as a songwriter. His grandfather, Rev. Dr. Victor Scalise graduated Yale Divinity School in 1932. Kilham's uncle and first cousin are both Baptist ministers.
Kilham's first live broadcast appearance was at the age of 7 and worked as a commercial actor in his youth.
Kilham married Zoe Helene in 2007.
Medicine Hunter
Founded by Kilham, Medicine Hunter sources medicinal plants and organizes cultivation and trade with indigenous peoples. Kilham's wife is a partner in the company.
Plant Medicine
Kilham has conducted research on the following plants: Ayahuasca as an addiction treatment. Rhodiola rosea for reducing cortisol levels, reducing stress, improving mental function, and enhancing libido. Tongkat ali as an aphrodisiac and for balancing both male and female hormones. Dragon's blood for skin healing and antioxidant properties. Acai as superfood and for antioxidant properties. Maca for enhancing energy and sexual function.
Kilham's work with aphrodisiacs has been featured on CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News Nightline, Outside Magazine, and Business Insider.
Work in Natural Products Industry
From 1985-1990, Kilham was the Vice President of Marketing for Bread and Circus. In 1990, Kilham founded Cowboy Marketing, a consulting firm for the natural foods industry. His book, Cowboy Marketing: How to Shoot from the Hip and Win on the Wild Frontier of Natural Foods Retailing is about his experiences in the natural foods industry.
Role in Cannabis Reform
Kilham is an activist in the movement to legalize marijuana and has written about the topic, including the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and U.S. patent 6.630.507.
Kilham appears in Robyn Grigg Lawerence's, The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook (2015), He was listed as one of the "Top Cannabis Chefs" in Culture Magazine.
Voice of Shamanism
Kilham is recognized as a chief in the South Pacific. He researches and promotes psychoactive and psychedelic plants used in traditional shaman rituals, including kava and ayahuasca. He has written a book about the medicinal qualities of psychoactive and psychedelic plants, entitled Psyche Delicacies: Coffee, Chocolate, Chiles, Kava and Cannabis and Why They're Good for You. Chris' most recent book, The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying, has been featured in Newsweek, Boston Magazine, and Reset with Amber Lyon. The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying is dedicated to Kilham's wife, Zoe Helene, and to the late Ipupiara, Bernardo Dias Peixoto, a shaman.
Kilham's Ayahausca Monologues have been described as a “psychedelic TED talk” and “Insightful, funny, wild, and totally real". Chris is the founder of Ayahuasca Test Pilots, a “collaboration of individuals who engage in the ceremonial practice of ayahuasca journeying with skilled shamans”; his wife, Zoe Helene, serves as “Co-Pilot” for that organisation.
Yoga and Meditation
Kilham is a yoga teacher, conference speaker. Nicki Doane, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Mehmet Oz are quoted on the book jacket. Kilham has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show teaching Dr. Mehmet Oz the exercises. He has also demonstrated The Five Tibetans on Fox News. His book, The Lotus and The Bud: Cannabis, Consciousness, and Yoga Practice, is a guide to blending cannabis with the practice of yoga.
Kilham is sometimes referred to as the "Psychedelic Yogi". He has a Mind Body Disciplines degree from University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a major that he designed himself.
Work with University of Massachusetts
Kilham has taught ethnobotany at University of Massachusetts since 2000 and referred to as “Explorer in Residence.” He leads the Shaman's Pharmacy Amazon Field Immersion Course, an expedition to primary rain forest in Peru for students from UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and Smith College. Students experience the Amazon while learning about field expedition, sustainability, shamanism, and medicinal plants of the region.