Justin Cooke

Justin Cooke

Justin Cooke is the co-founder and creative director of Tripsitter.com — an evidence-based educational resource and media company dedicated to the exploration of mind-expanding substances, harm reduction, philosophy, and policy reform.

After graduating as an EMT in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Justin visited the Peruvian Amazon to learn more about ayahuasca and other local plant medicines. His encounters with Aya and San Pedro in the lush Amazon rainforest inspired him to dedicate his focus to the study of plant medicines — a pursuit that continues to this day. He earned a Master Herbalist Diploma in 2014 before moving to Australia to pursue a bachelor’s degree in herbal medicine from Torrens University.

Justin spends his time learning, writing, and talking about topics related to psychedelics, herbal medicine, pharmacology, drug policy reform, and philosophy.

Editor Co-Founder Herbalist
104 Articles

Psychedelic experiences can be extremely rewarding & may provide legitimate health benefits — but only if used responsibly.

Check out our official safe-trip guidelines.

Frog medicine (called kambo), is a healing ritual from the Amazon involving poison from the giant Amazonian tree frog.

Venom is rubbed into small burn marks in the skin for the purpose of healing.

Microdosing is the practice of taking small, non-psychoactive doses of psychedelic substances like LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline.

Learn the benefits & how to do it safely.

The venom of the Bufo alvarius toad contains one of the most psychoactive substances on Earth — 5-MeO-DMT.

Learn how toad venom works & how to use it safely.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a Polynesian herb with an impressive set of relaxing and mild psychotropic effects.

Learn how it works and how to use it safely.

N-Bombs (NBOMe) is a group of psychedelics often sold as LSD, but is much more dangerous.

Mescaline is a naturally-occurring alkaloid produced in several species of psychoactive cacti — including San Pedro, Peyote, & Peruvian torch.

Kratom is a euphoriant herb from Southeast Asia.

While kratom use is generally regarded as safe, there are some concerns to be aware of.

The role of the trip sitter should is crucial.

Here's everything you need to know about trip sitting & how to handle a psychedelic crisis.