When you hear the word "rave," what is it that comes to mind?

If you've never experienced one, you probably think of something like this:

Or this:

Or just a bunch of crazy, coked-out people running around half naked because their minds are in a different dimension.

Now, take a breath and imagine yourself in an entirely new world with no boundaries, discrimination, racism, sexism, hate, or negativity... just a community centered around four things: Peace, love, unity, and respect. This world that you're imagining is a real world, and it is full of utter happiness.

It might sound silly and you're probably laughing, but you're also considering the beautiful reality of rave culture.

This on-the-rise lifestyle of raving is far more than just a group of rebellious college students...it's a culture; a collected community of people who have thoughts and beliefs and love for everyone and everything.

So, let's debunk a few rave culture myths.

1. All ravers do drugs.

First of all, false.

Second of all, even though a large portion of those who rave do take a significant amount of drugs that may or may not be technically speaking legal, there are many people - myself included - that have attended raves completely 100 percent sober and had the time of their lives. The vibes at a festival full of lovers and dancers and flat out weirdos are beyond explanation.

2. Ravers don't have any jobs or futures.

Also false.

People from all walks of life attend raves. Just because they enjoy good music and connecting with awesome people doesn't mean that they have nothing going for them. In fact, most of the ravers I know are doctors and writers and nurses and soldiers and businessmen who just want to let loose and escape their two dimensional worlds if only for a moment.

3. The rave scene is just for 'kids.'

Okay, okay, this one is kind of partially true, but it's also not.

Going to a rave doesn't just have to be something you did in your college days. Yes, there are definitely a ton of young, fit, rave children all over the place, but there are many, many people beyond the age of keg stands and all night finals cramming that still go to these festivals because the the amazing music and all the radiating positivity. Heck, most people are a little older by the time they can afford to go to big raves anyway! Have you seen the ticket prices for EDC and Tomorrowland?

4. EDM isn't even music.

Come on now.

Does it sound cool?

Does it make people want to dance?

Does it provide insane amounts of happiness at the perfect BPM to match your heart rate?

Then it's music, whether you like it or not.

Your argument is invalid.

Shh.

5. The people are... interesting.

Oh yeah, this one is 100 percent true and everyone is loud and proud about their strange, awesome, ravey goodness, because they don't care what the world thinks and they're at a rave so they can basically say and do and wear whatever they want.

5. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat.

This one is also kind of true too, especially at multi-day festivals. But it's honestly totally worth it. Once you experience the light and the electricity at a rave, there's no turning back. You just have to be open to expanding your mind to a new experience that may or may not change your life indefinitely.

Raves aren't as scary and terrifying and mysterious as they seem, and as much as you might hear it, people don't go to raves for drugs and boobs and recklessness; they go to feel the pulse of otherworldly music pumping through their very being. They go to connect and be inspired by complete strangers who share one common passion- peace, love, unity, respect, and really, really insane drops that send your body into a whirlwind unlike any other.

Now drop the stereotypes.

Open up your mind.

And go experience pure happiness.