The stigma surrounding psychedelic drugs
The word drugs makes most people think of the abuse and addictive types of drugs. As soon as you start investigating what the different types of drugs do, you can discover that the drugs that fall under psychedelics or entheogenic substances have historically been used as medicines or as a rite of passage. Currently in the Netherlands we are not allowed to use the claim medicine for the various psychedelics due to legislation, despite the word drugs in English being able to refer to street drugs and medicines. However, a lot of medical research is being carried out into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, with the outcomes being hopeful. It is high time to break the stigma surrounding (psychedelic) drugs so that we can deploy them responsibly for people who can benefit from them. To break the global stigma, we are part of Thank You Plant Medicine and I was recently interviewed by High Humans. Read the confession below following the interview.
The Confession
I was already 28 when I tried truffles for the first time. I had no prior experience with drugs whatsoever, apart from drinking alcohol. I had always been quite sceptical about using drugs, I actually wanted nothing to do with them. That is how you are taught by your environment and society. Drugs are quickly dismissed as something wrong.
Truffles were mainly a healthier alternative to drinking alcohol for me. During the week I was fanatically focused on my health and sports, but drank a lot of alcohol at the weekend. This didn't add up. The natural aspect of truffles really appealed to me. For me, it was a means not to drink alcohol, but still do something with my thinking. It created a shift in my consciousness. I used to be very focused on making a lot of money, while I didn't get any fulfillment from my work. After I was involved in a serious car crash, my life changed completely. I decided to turn everything around and go in search of my happiness. I found that happiness in guiding people and psychedelics.
I eventually set up my own company, called Triptherapie. I researched the various substances in the human brain and combined this with the potential of psychedelics. Triptherapie is mainly visited by people with depressive symptoms. They are looking for a cure. I believe that psychedelics can offer this cure.
Naturally, I had to deal with a lot of prejudice in the beginning when I talked about my work. My parents initially looked on with great doubt at what I was doing, but by now they even enjoy reading the reviews. The unknown causes fear and misunderstanding, but ultimately everyone will get used to the idea of psychedelics once they know more about it.