Yes, but you can change your perception of what's real without anything external.
I don't think drugs are "bad", just unnecessary. I don't think what you described is anymore profound or surreal an experience than say, giving birth, jumping from an airplane, or being naked in front of a large group of people.
You don't know what you're really made of until you do some things completely on your own, with no "buffer". Tripping takes on a whole new meaning.