I was thinking.. everyone is after something.. trying to get that fix/pleasure/certain feeling and for the majority of people, getting this pleasure entails that they work hard.. or do something that takes alot of effort or money. For example.. some people may get a real buzz from going hiking and reaching the top of a mountain. Then there are some people who obtain this pleasure or buzz whatever you want to call it by saving time and using substances (drugs) to quickly and easily obtain the feeling/feelings. In other words drugs cut corners and are the quick/easy route to a persons goal.. but im not saying this is a bad thing, although the use of drugs can obviously have negative long term effects. In this way.. do drug users experience strong emotional feelings and complex states of mind far more frequently than a straight edge kind of person? Does the use of drugs give a person far more experience in the realms of the mind than that of a person who does not use drugs? with the small negative of a few bad effects? after all... the universe that we percieve is simply that... Perception.. If a drunkard on the street spends most of his life in a drunken daze.. with highs and lows etc then although from the outside it looks as though hes not experiencing what life has to offer.. what he is perceiving in his altered mind is all that is relevant. He is probably delving into the deepest of emotional realms and states of mind... that the boring life of a sober business man would take years to achieve. The simple act of getting his hands on another bottle of whiskey may bring him as much happiness as the business man marrying a beautiful women.. It is not the material world we live in that determines how good our life is... it is HOW WE PERCIEVE the material world we live in... and with drugs the change in how we percieve our material world is far easier.
You're absolutely right. It is all our own perception and no matter what that will never be exeprienced by anyone but yourself.. Therefore, drugs, nor drugs, vagabond, business man, all scenarios are perfectly subjective to everyone. We choose to have any experience we like. And any thing we chooose will innately have its own highs and lows. Judge none.
Neurologically, the endorphin release of cocaine and sex is very similar. I saw the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen in my life when I was on acid. It's something so beautiful it still moves me to this day, 7 years later. That doesn't mean I think use of drugs is something to be taken lightly. But drugs are neither good nor bad, drugs are simply chemicals which alter the natural state of your brain chemistry.
I think anything can be a drug. Like you spoke of mountain climbing, or 'climbing' up the corprate ladder ... Every person is different, and every person has their own 'drug'. The 'high' itself is different ... but the outcome is the same. Higher self awarness and self understanding. We all need a place in this universe, and we need to feel it.
I don't think drugs give anyone more experience in the realm of the mind... I think they do allow you to filter experience into a more mind pleasing form.. I've had some euphoric highs... and (thanks to booze) some truly nightmare hells But reality still got me higher and gave me blacker days
Oh for sure. I have spent many nights sitting on my couch going on a journey through my mind. I thank drugs for many of my perceptions and insights. It is a different feeling though doing something physical. That releases endorphines which are almost like natural opioids. Most drugs affect dopamine and serotonin by reversing synaptic transmission and blocking reuptake. And my favorite drug doesnt even cause changes in neurotransmitter activity, weed. Thats why it is so great and I am able to get stoned 5 times a day and live a functional life. But yeah I agree completely with the fact that everyone has a subjective conscious experience that is relevant to them.
Yes, sure... that's all pretty. But the problem with drugs is that they become life... and then they only serve as a destructive time bomb. The alcoholic bum on the street is not experiencing any enlightenment as you might think... he is experiencing addiction and misery. There is a difference. I also agree with Josh, all things are drugs in a way.
i like some drugs. others i like very much. i've stopped pretty much everything though. maybe someday i'll do some things again when the timing is right. i'd like to try acid and shrooms, but its not a priority. weed, i don't need to smoke anymore. i like to socially drink though, 3-4 drinks every weekend doesn't do much. other than that....my major drug is training right now. swimming and lifting. it makes me feel alive like nothing other right now
