Diva's drug therapy at Spuiten en Slikken
Diva's Drug Therapy is a BNNVARA documentary series in which journalist Diva Brons investigates whether psychedelics can offer a solution for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress, especially now that many people are stuck in mainstream mental health care with long waiting lists and sometimes unsatisfactory results from medication or therapy.
In the series, Diva combines personal experiences with conversations with family, experts, scientists, and psychedelic session facilitators. She shows how people navigate the landscape of microdosing, truffle ceremonies, and other alternative therapies. The tension between hope, distrust, scientific evidence, and the risks of self-experimentation is constantly highlighted.
Diva's Drug Therapy is a journalistic and personal investigation into whether substances such as truffles, LSD analogues, or MDMA can actually play a role in the treatment of mental health issues, and how people in the Netherlands navigate this between hope and risk.
Triptherapie was asked by the editorial staff of BNNVARA
In February 2025, Triptherapie was approached by the editorial staff of Spraying and Swallowing (BNNVARA) asked to collaborate on a new four-part documentary series about the therapeutic applications of psychedelics. In this series, they will explore the role psychedelics can play in neurodiverse and psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Because Triptherapie has been guiding people for years and has extensive practical experience in this area, our organization was seen as a relevant discussion partner to provide more insight into the workings of guided psychedelic sessions outside of regular healthcare.
Although Marcel When the founder initially suggested putting forward a colleague with formal therapeutic training, the editors ultimately chose to speak with him because of his extensive experience in guiding thousands of sessions.
The episode about microdosing and Triptherapie
In part 2 of Diva's Drug Therapy Diva Brons investigates whether psychedelics can help with depression, partly inspired by her own experiences with long waiting lists and doubts about conventional medication. She talks with her grandmother about mental health and the skepticism surrounding drugs, and visits Professor Kim Kuipers, who explains that microdosing sometimes has positive effects, but remains scientifically unproven and carries risks.
Diva also speaks with Casey, who microdoses with 1P-LSD in addition to her ADHD medication, and discusses the benefits and pitfalls. Finally, she talks with Triptherapie founder Marcels, who explains how psychedelic sessions are guided, what the current limitations are, and how it's legal. He emphasizes that it's not an official treatment. The episode demonstrates that psychedelics offer hope, but are not a panacea and require careful consideration.
Why we participated
Initially, based on the editorial team's request, we thought the focus would primarily be on the positive effects and therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Ultimately, the episode shifted its focus more toward safety and legality. These are important themes, but they shifted the balance somewhat toward limitations rather than possibilities. Nevertheless, we felt it was valuable to participate, as every nuanced consideration helps destigmatize psychedelics and contributes to a broader public conversation about their role in mental health.
Because we are often chosen and often want to contribute to media articles, we have cooperated at the request of the following parties:
Why we facilitate psychedelic sessions
At Triptherapie, we see people every day who consciously choose a guided psychedelic experience, without a medical protocol. Not for recreational purposes, but aimed at insight, processing, or growth. This desire often stems from disappointments with conventional healthcare or long waiting lists. We offer them a well-guided alternative, with clear boundaries: what we do is not medical treatment.
We are always transparent about this. During the registration process, we discuss the risks, contraindications, and limitations. At the same time, we strongly emphasize safety: screening for contraindications, thorough preparation, professional guidance, and, if necessary, consultation with doctors or psychiatrists with whom we have close contact. This way, we employ a harm reduction approach that prevents people from experimenting independently or in risky situations.
The future of psychedelic therapy
What currently falls outside the healthcare system could become part of regular treatment in the future. We are closely monitoring international developments and working behind the scenes on a professional transition. Once psychedelic therapy is recognized within the mental healthcare system, we aim to (partially) develop into a medical branch with BIG-registered professionals and the corresponding healthcare reimbursements.
Until then, we'll continue doing what we do now: providing responsible, holistic, and expert guidance to people who consciously choose psychedelic sessions. Not as a hype, but as serious support for personal growth and mental well-being.
About Marcel
Marcel was featured in the episode of Spuiten en Slikken and below you can find out how many clients Marcel has already guided during psychedelic sessions.
