High Humans interview

The stigma surrounding psychedelic drugs

The word "drugs" makes most people think of drug abuse and addictive types. However, as soon as you start investigating what the different types of drugs do, you may discover that drugs falling under the category of psychedelics or entheogenic substances have traditionally been used as medicines or as rites of passage. Currently, due to legislation, we are not allowed to use the claim "medicine" for various psychedelics in the Netherlands, even though the word "drugs" in English can refer to street drugs and medicines. Nevertheless, a great deal of medical research is being conducted into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, with promising results. It is high time to break the stigma surrounding (psychedelic) drugs so that we can use them responsibly for people who can benefit from them. To break the worldwide stigma, we are part of Thank You Plant Medicine and I was recently interviewed by High Humans. Read the confession following the interview below.

The confession

I was already 28 when I tried truffles for the first time. Before that, I had no experience with drugs whatsoever, except for drinking alcohol. I have always been quite skeptical about drug use; I actually wanted nothing to do with it. That is how you are taught by your environment and society. Drugs are quickly dismissed as something wrong. 

For me, truffles were primarily a healthier alternative to drinking alcohol. During the week, I was fanatically focused on my health and exercising, but I drank a lot of alcohol on the weekends. This didn't sit right. The natural aspect of the truffles really appealed to me. For me, it was a way to avoid drinking alcohol while still engaging with my thinking. It created a shift in my consciousness. Previously, I was very focused on earning a lot of money, while deriving no satisfaction from my work. After being involved in a serious car accident, 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 in psychedelics. 

I eventually set up my own company, called Triptherapie. I researched the various substances in the human brain and combined this with the possibilities of psychedelics. Triptherapie is primarily visited by people with depressive symptoms. They are seeking healing. I believe that psychedelics can offer this healing. 

Naturally, I faced a lot of prejudice in the beginning when I talked about my work. My parents initially looked at what I was doing with great skepticism, but by now they even enjoy reading the reviews. The unknown causes fear and misunderstanding, but eventually everyone will get used to the idea of psychedelics once they know more about them.

Source: High Humans