Standing Up for Psychedelic Education: I'm Suing Google – And I Need Your Help.
A fight for transparency, education, and freedom of information in the psychedelic space.
The Silencing of a Voice: My Story
For nearly a decade, I, Max Wüsten, have dedicated myself to providing responsible, nuanced, and harm-reduction-focused education on psychoactive substances, particularly psychedelics. My German-language YouTube channel, "Hyperraum" (later "psychedelische reise"), grew into a significant resource, fostering a community of almost 30,000 subscribers eager for balanced information and open discussion. We explored everything from safer use practices and integration of psychedelic experiences to the cultural and scientific aspects of these often-misunderstood compounds.
Then, in April 2021, after five years of dedicated work and building a substantial library of over 200 videos, my channel was abruptly and permanently deleted by Google/YouTube.
The Injustice: Why This Matters Beyond My Channel
This wasn't just a couple of videos being flagged; it was a complete deplatforming. Years of educational content, personal stories, and community interaction were erased overnight. YouTube's justifications were vague, citing general policy violations without specific, actionable feedback or a genuine opportunity to rectify any alleged issues.
This arbitrary and opaque censorship is not an isolated incident. As highlighted in publications like Double Blind Magazine, creators, educators, and even legitimate businesses in the psychedelic space consistently face shadow-banning, content removal, and deplatforming. This stifles crucial conversations about harm reduction, therapeutic potential, and personal freedom. When platforms that act as modern-day public squares can unilaterally silence voices without transparent due process, it’s a threat to us all.
Taking a Stand: The Lawsuit Against Google
I believe this action by Google/YouTube was unjust, disproportionate, and sets a dangerous precedent. I refused to accept this silently. After attempts to resolve this directly were ignored, I made the difficult decision to take legal action: I am suing Google.
This lawsuit is about more than just restoring my channel. It’s about:
- Demanding Transparency & Fairness: Platforms must be accountable for their content moderation decisions and provide clear, specific reasons and a real chance for creators to respond.
- Upholding Freedom of Information: Access to balanced, factual information about psychedelics is vital, especially as the "psychedelic renaissance" unfolds globally.
- Protecting Educational Content: Content aimed at harm reduction, responsible use, and integration should be protected under EDSA principles, not censored.
- Psychedelic Activism: This is an act of defiance against the overly broad and often misapplied "war on drugs" mentality that bleeds into content moderation.
Your Support is Crucial: Join the Fight!
Taking on a tech giant like Google is a monumental task, both emotionally and financially. The legal costs are substantial. That’s why I’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign – to make this fight possible and to ensure that "psychedelische reise" can continue its mission, regardless of the lawsuit's immediate outcome.
Your contribution will directly fund:
- Legal Fees: Covering the significant costs associated with this complex lawsuit.
- Project Sustainability: Ensuring that "psychedelische reise" can continue producing valuable content.
- Future Educational Projects: Like the Psychedelic Journey Journal and psychedelikalegal.de initiative.
How You Can Help Make a Difference:
- 🌍 Support via Crowdfunding: Startnext Campaign (use online translation, most payment methods accepted)
- 💸 Direct Support: All donation options
- 📣 Spread the Word: Share on socials, talk to allies, feature the story
My Vision for the Future
This isn't just about getting my old channel back; it's about fighting for a future where open, honest, and responsible discussion about psychedelics is not only tolerated but encouraged. It's about empowering individuals with knowledge and fostering a community built on awareness and respect.
I never imagined I would be in a position to sue Google, but the stakes are too high to stay silent. This is more than a personal battle; it’s an act of psychedelic activism for the benefit of our entire community.
Join me in this fight. Let's send a clear message that responsible psychedelic education deserves a voice, a platform, and a fair hearing.
With determination,
Max Wüsten
psychedelische-reise.de
