In a moment of riveting candor at MAPS' Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver, Colorado, Benzinga Cannabis' Lara Goldstein captured the potent essence of Psycheceutical Bioscience Inc BWVI's Zappy Zapolin's passionate words in an exclusive interview. "The future of psychedelics is so bright," exclaimed Zapolin. "You can tell from 12,000 people being here that this [psychedelics] is impacting every single family, either for mental health, addiction or peak performance."
Zapolin's words resonated throughout the room, punctuated by the announcement of the Honey Badger Award presented to the influential figure, Rick Doblin. As Zapolin highlighted, "This honey badger is the most ferocious animal, no matter what, it just keeps going and that is Rick Doblin." His dedication to the psychedelic industry is unparalleled, from having to sue the DEA twice, raising $200 million, overcoming cancer and his unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity.
"Anything this guy has to do like a honey badger, he's gonna do," praised Zapolin. The symbolism of the Honey Badger Award, recognizing the relentless pursuit of one's objectives against all odds, was a fitting tribute to Doblin's tireless work.
Zapolin moved onto the important subjects of mental health, addiction and peak performance, all of which, in his view, have the potential to be positively impacted by psychedelics. "Everybody has some aspect of psychedelics that applies to them," Zapolin shared, revealing a vision of an inclusive future where psychedelics could be approached with "all the science, all the credibility" for individuals to have their own experience. However, he emphasized that this bright future requires education and understanding, "people need to be educated about what's right for them, and so there's a lot of guidance that's needed."
Zapolin observed a significant trend during the conference: a surprising number of attendees expressed a desire to become therapists or guides in the field of psychedelic therapy. "What surprised me the most here was just how many people want to be a therapist, how many people want to guide people," Zapolin admitted, "because they know that it's definitely going to be rewarding, it's obviously going to be lucrative as well." He deemed this shift as "overwhelming" and noted the pressing need for these guides in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic science.
An intriguing part of the conference was the discussion on Psycheceutical's innovative neurodirect technology, where psychedelic compounds are delivered at the base of the hairline, negating the psychedelic experience typically associated with these substances. While this approach has sparked some controversy, Zapolin defended the concept, suggesting that it could make these treatments more accessible and less intimidating for patients who might otherwise be wary, such as "elderly people, children, people who are afraid."
Zapolin concluded his interview on an optimistic note, sharing that Psycheceutical's neurodirect ketamine is due to enter clinical trials in Australia. "It's so exciting," he said, "because that means people are going to access this medicine really soon."
Overall, the interview provided a vibrant snapshot of the dynamic evolution of the psychedelic industry, with the words of Zapolin encapsulating the momentum, challenges, and opportunities lying ahead. His powerful call to arms for education, open-mindedness, and innovation reverberated through the conference halls and will undoubtedly linger in the minds of many in this burgeoning field.
Check out the full video on YouTube.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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