Digital Social Hour: The Truth About Psychedelics – Healing Minds, Changing Lives with Zappy Zapolin

Episode Number: DSH #1180
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Zappy Zapolin, Psychedelic Expert and Founder of Freedom Through Neuro Growth

1. Introduction to the Discussion

In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes Zappy Zapolin, a renowned psychedelic expert and advocate for plant-based medicines. The conversation delves deep into the transformative power of psychedelics, exploring their potential to heal minds, break addictions, and foster profound personal growth.

2. The Empathy Crisis and Psychedelics

Zappy opens the discussion by addressing what he terms an "empathy crisis" in contemporary society. He posits that while people inherently want to care for one another, modern life's complexities and disconnects hinder genuine empathy.

Zappy Zapolin (01:00): "I believe we're having an empathy crisis right now in this country, in the world. And that means that people, they want to care, but they can't really put themselves in each other's shoes."

He argues that psychedelics can serve as catalysts for increasing empathy, enabling individuals to understand and connect with others on a deeper level.

3. Personal Stories: Lamar Odom and Others

One of the most striking segments features Zappy recounting his intervention with former NBA player Lamar Odom. Struggling with lifelong addiction and trauma, Lamar's transformation through psychedelics serves as a testament to their healing potential.

Zappy Zapolin (03:02): "Out with Lamar Odom called Reborn. And with Lamar, I did this psychedelic intervention with him... he was abusing all kinds of drugs just to not feel something."

Zappy details how treatments like ketamine and ibogaine provided Lamar with a "full reset," leading to sustained sobriety and a remarkable comeback in his professional basketball career.

Zappy Zapolin (03:44): "Lamar took it five years ago and hasn't done any hard drugs since."

4. The Science Behind Psychedelics: Ketamine, Ibogaine, Mushrooms, Ayahuasca

Zappy delves into the scientific underpinnings of various psychedelics:

• Ketamine: FDA-approved as an anesthetic, ketamine has shown efficacy in treating treatment-resistant depression by building new neural pathways.

  Zappy Zapolin (12:02): "Ketamine... builds these new neural pathways when it metabolizes. So he's getting all that benefit."

• Ibogaine: A potent psychedelic from the African iboga plant, ibogaine is highlighted for its unparalleled ability to break any form of addiction in a single session.

  Zappy Zapolin (03:58): "Ibogaine is capable of breaking that addiction in a single session."

• Microdose Mushrooms (Amanita Muscaria): Legal and effective in stabilizing the nervous system, these microdoses offer subtle yet significant mental health benefits without the intense hallucinogenic experience.

  Zappy Zapolin (16:22): "Microdose mushrooms... balancing your nervous system."

• Ayahuasca: Used traditionally in shamanic ceremonies, Zappy shares his transformative experience with ayahuasca alongside Michelle Rodriguez, emphasizing its role in confronting and overcoming deep-seated fears and traumas.

  Zappy Zapolin (35:07): "I had a meeting God experience... God has to at least be 50% feminine."

5. Overcoming Addiction and Mental Health Issues

The conversation underscores the urgency of addressing rampant addiction issues, especially with substances like fentanyl wreaking havoc. Zappy champions psychedelics, particularly ibogaine, as unparalleled solutions for addiction treatment.

Zappy Zapolin (04:23): "There's nothing else that's going to break a fentanyl addiction... ibogaine is capable of breaking that addiction in a single session."

He also highlights the benefits of psychedelics in treating PTSD, grief, and depression, showcasing numerous success stories, including veterans who have found solace and healing through ketamine treatments.

Zappy Zapolin (26:16): "One guy was a veteran... he went home that night and he hugged his kids for the first time in 10 years."

6. Legal Landscape and Suppression of Psychedelics

Zappy discusses the historical suppression of psychedelics, attributing it to industries like alcohol that perceived psychedelics as threats to their dominance. He critiques the DEA's Schedule 1 classification, pointing out the contradiction between legal substances like alcohol and the banned status of psychedelics despite their safety and benefits.

Zappy Zapolin (05:57): "They realized that this day was going to come... they have to squash this."

He advocates for policy changes, believing that acts like the Right to Try could pave the way for broader acceptance and legal use of psychedelics for medicinal purposes.

Zappy Zapolin (45:58): "Under the Right to Try, I believe we are going to access psychedelic medicine, plant medicine for the first time."

7. Future of Psychedelics in Society and Medicine

Looking ahead, Zappy envisions a society where psychedelics are mainstream tools for mental health and personal development. He anticipates a paradigm shift towards natural, plant-based medicines as solutions to modern ailments exacerbated by technological overload and societal stressors.

Zappy Zapolin (34:01): "A hundred years from now, we will be looked back on as the culture... where we went back to nature with our medicine."

He also touches on the synergy between the rise of psychedelics and the advent of AI, suggesting that expanding human consciousness through psychedelics could counterbalance the potential dehumanizing effects of advanced technology.

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, Zappy emphasizes the transformative power of psychedelics not just for individuals but for society as a whole. By fostering empathy, breaking destructive patterns, and promoting mental well-being, psychedelics hold the key to a more compassionate and enlightened future.

Zappy Zapolin (56:51): "These are the last people that are gonna get the opportunity to do a major psychedelic breakthrough. We wanna give it to 'em now."

He encourages listeners to take control of their health through natural means, trusting in the evidence from esteemed institutions like Johns Hopkins and Stanford, and to support initiatives that make these transformative tools accessible to all.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Zappy Zapolin (01:00): "I believe we're having an empathy crisis right now... the only way I've seen people get instantly more empathy is to have a near-death experience or a major psychedelic breakthrough."

• Zappy Zapolin (03:58): "Ibogaine is capable of breaking that addiction in a single session."

• Zappy Zapolin (12:02): "Ketamine... builds these new neural pathways when it metabolizes."

• Zappy Zapolin (26:16): "One guy was a veteran... he went home that night and he hugged his kids for the first time in 10 years."

• Zappy Zapolin (34:01): "A hundred years from now, we will be looked back on as the culture... where we went back to nature with our medicine."

• Zappy Zapolin (56:51): "We wanna give it to 'em now."

Resources Mentioned

• Freedom Through Neuro Growth: A nonprofit dedicated to providing psychedelic experiences to those with mental and physical handicaps. freedomthroughneurogrowth.com

• Zappy Doses: Legal microdoses engineered around the Amanita Muscaria mushroom for anxiety relief. zappydoses.com

• Unbuzzed: A breakthrough product designed to reduce alcohol effects post-consumption. Available for purchase at zappy.com

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers an enlightening exploration into the world of psychedelics, blending personal anecdotes with scientific insights to advocate for their rightful place in modern medicine and society. Whether you’re skeptical or curious, Zappy Zapolin’s passionate argument for plant-based healing is both thought-provoking and inspiring.