When people hear I attend “music festivals” or “raves,” they often jump to assumptions — substances, chaos, irresponsibility.
But for many healthcare professionals, myself included, these spaces are actually about connection, release, movement, and joy — things that are often in short supply in medicine.
As someone who works in healthcare and has in recent years fallen in love with music festival scene, I want to say this clearly:
festivals do not inherently revolve around drugs, and enjoying them does not make you less professional, responsible, or serious about your career.
I am so happy to see other creators like @juliarose.md and @DrNopantsgirl on instagram already showing that is possible to be both a physician (or other healthcare professional) and love to rave!
Healthcare professionals need real outlets — not just “self-care”
Medicine asks a lot of us:
- Emotional labor
- High responsibility
- Constant decision-making
- Exposure to illness, trauma, death, and burnout
Bubble baths and yoga classes are great — but they’re not the only valid forms of self-care.
Music festivals and raves offer:
- Physical movement (hours of dancing is great exercise)
- Mental release (being present instead of constantly “on”)
- Somatic release (letting the music move you is an incredible physical release)
- Community (shared joy with people who just want to feel alive/be themselves)
- Identity outside of medicine
You are allowed to have a life that feels loud, colorful, and expansive — even if your job is serious.
Festivals don’t have to revolve around substances
This part matters.
Plenty of people attend festivals:
- Sober
- With alcohol only
- Or simply for the music, art, and atmosphere
Enjoying live music, dancing for hours, dressing creatively, and traveling for festivals does not require drug use.
The idea that raves automatically equal drugs is outdated and dismissive — especially toward healthcare professionals who are often deeply aware of the risks and realities of substance use.
Harm reduction is healthcare — and it belongs at festivals
Being realistic doesn’t mean being permissive — it means being prepared.
Substance use exists everywhere, not just at festivals. Harm reduction acknowledges that reality while prioritizing safety, education, and compassion.
As a healthcare provider, carrying Narcan (naloxone) is one small, powerful way I protect lives.
- Overdoses can happen anywhere
- Narcan is safe
- You don’t need to diagnose — just act
- Carrying it does not mean you condone drug use
It means you value human life.
If you’re trained, capable, and comfortable, carrying Narcan is a quiet extension of our oath — whether you’re at a festival, a concert, or just living your life.
Joy is not unprofessional
There’s a narrative in medicine that seriousness equals dedication — and that anything “fun” somehow undermines credibility.
That narrative is wrong.
Dancing.
Traveling.
Losing yourself in music.
Feeling free for a weekend.
These things don’t make you less competent — they make you human.
Healthcare professionals are allowed to seek joy loudly, not just quietly. And it does NOT make them less professional.
Final thoughts
Music festivals and raves can be:
- Healthy
- Grounding
- Life-giving
- A reminder that there is more to you than your badge
You can be a skilled, responsible clinician and someone who dances in a crowd to their favorite artist.
You can believe in harm reduction without glorifying substance use.
And you can carry Narcan — not out of fear, but out of care.
Both things can be true 🩺💃
https://endoverdose.net/ and https://dancesafe.org are some websites where you can get more information regarding Narcan and substance testing.
—
Stethoscope And Suitcase 
Leave a comment