I never understood why people went to raves until I experienced one myself.

Before college, I thought EDM was awful. I couldn't see how anyone enjoyed listening to a bunch of sounds.

However, once I got into college I was exposed to many different types of EDM. After a few short years, it slowly grew on me.

Now, I rarely listen to anything but EDM.

I love the way it makes me feel, how it unites people. I love watching my friends and professionals mix beats together to create an amazing song. I love how it is a full sensory experience, and not just sound. I love how you can't help but dance when you hear it, how contagious it is.

So that makes me wonder, why is there this stigma around raves?

Raves and festivals, in general, have a nasty stigma that surrounds them. People who are not part of this culture seem to think that the entire purpose of them is to take a lot of drugs and wear weird clothing.

There is also a sexualization of festivals like it's one big orgy or something.

After going to The Pemberton Music Festival in Canada this past week, I know just how far from the truth this is.

Not only are raves a way to come together with people from all around the world, but it is also a way to express individuality.

It's a place that people can go to and feel safe to express themselves freely, without fear of judgment.

There is an unspoken connection between everyone there. You are all united by one thing, and that is your love for a certain type of music or an artist.

I remember in the midst of a set, I just stopped and looked at what was around me.

The stage was blasting with different colors of light that were perfectly in sync with every beat.

The venue was surrounded by incredible mountains, and the sunset was just starting.

I saw 25,000 strangers dancing and laughing. No one was sad, everyone was happy.

Although we did not know each other, we weren't afraid to let loose. No one was afraid of what they looked like, or worried if their dancing was bad.

It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

It saddens me that these beautiful, uniting experiences are often weighed down by a sad stigma.

According to The Huffington Post, "while it’s no secret that 'experience' is often understood as 'getting really high while dancing,' there’s an undeniable sense of collectivism amid the neon lights (and strangely prevalent wolf hoodies). That lends a sense of community to the scene, which is increasingly characterized by drug-related incidents and deaths."

Yes, there are many drug related deaths and accidents at raves and festivals, but it is unfair to link those tragedies to the events as a whole.

There are many risks when it comes to festivals, but it is not the festival itself that poses these risks.

We need to stop linking raves and festivals to these negative stigmas because it gives them a negative stereotype when in reality their purpose is to promote positivity.

It may be hard to believe, but it is possible to go to a festival and be substance free because in reality, it is not about that. It is about the music, the people, and the experience.

I can say wholeheartedly that my first rave experience was hands down top three most amazing experiences of my life to date, and I was the happiest I have ever been.

It is truly the most incredible feeling to be surrounded by your closest friends, and thousands of strangers, just enjoying the music you love.

It is definitely the best vibes.