Personal: Drugs?
Monday, April 14, 2008 by Lindsey
I'm currently talking with an old friend of mine, who I'll keep nameless came to me with the following question tonight.
"So, out of curiosity. If you were offered some form of (interesting) mind-altering substance, think you'd try it?"
To which I responded, no. The conversation went somewhat as follows. I've cut out some things that are really unnecessary to this post.
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I'm going to cut the conversation off there, because it only went into a downward spiral from there. But...I thought I'd share. It's an interesting concept. This guy, is very fascinated in psychology, lucid dreams, etc. Personally, I don't agree with recreational drugs...it's not worth it to me, whether there's side effects or not.
My friend is an atheist, and I didn't want to shut him down from talking to me...by bringing faith into the issue, but my spirituality and faith is far more fulfilling than a drug could ever be. My friendships and relationships being secondary to that, as things that I find worth my time.
However, I welcome opposing opinions, and different outlooks on the subject from anyone brave enough to comment! And while I'm on that track, allow me to pose to you, my readers, the same question that was asked of me a little while ago.
Comment Question: If you were offered some form of (interesting) mind-altering substance, think you'd try it?
With all of that said, I'm extremely tired and headed to sleep!
Good night, great void of the internet.
"So, out of curiosity. If you were offered some form of (interesting) mind-altering substance, think you'd try it?"
To which I responded, no. The conversation went somewhat as follows. I've cut out some things that are really unnecessary to this post.
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Me: Even without medical ramifications, I'd rather have the confidence to know I can conquer things on my own, and the support of people who care about me.-----
Friend:I'll say this much. Psychedelic experiences are no doubt caused by substances. But those experiences are certainly not contained within said substance...Think about lucid dreaming. Same thing.
Me: Yeah.
Friend: Even pot can be third-eye opening.
Me: I have some cousins who have experience with it...but I've also seen how dissatisfied and unsuccessful they are in their lives. I'm not tempted to follow.
Friend: Losers need something to fill the hole.
Me: I'm building a career. I have clientèle, good professors. I'm moving into a nice house over the summer. I have a cruise ahead of me, and people who care about me. Despite the fact that sometimes I have a complicated, stressful, and chaotic life at times–I have a good life–and I'm content in being a strong-willed, intelligent person. Why would I need to turn to substances to fulfill me? Isn't it more rewarding to work hard and find fullfillment in your career, studies, and relationships. (Not only romantic, but familial, friendships, collaborations, and mentors?)
Friend: Why can't one do both?
Me: I suppose some people could. I'm not willing to take the chance of sacrificing all I have...for some experimentation.
Friend: I see substances as a means to experience things I can't normally.
Me: I see...rock climbing, and boxing, and new people, and traveling as a means to experience things I can't normally. I think there's enough within the non-chemical/substance related realm to explore. When I exhaust all of my options there, maybe I'll reconsider drugs.
And...if you're looking for a supernatural experience, an out of body sort of state...try meditation.
Friend: Meditation I am no stranger to. Meditation and drugs happen to go hand in hand...
Me: Only if you allow them to.
Friend: I, by the way, don't really advocate all drugs. Alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, heroine, and various others. All basically suck. Uninteresting effects, possibility for physical addiction. THC, LSD, DMT, mescaline, psilocybin, salvia, ibogaine, and various others...Interesting effects, and, no possibilty for physical addiction.
Me: The most mind-altering drug I've experienced is prescription hydrocodone, and I didn't enjoy that at all.
Friend: I can't imagine one would.
Me: Besides, it wouldn't be worth the legality and issues to attain any sort of drug for an "experience", at least for me...when I've so much else to experience.
Friend: There is a place and time for everything. Despite what you have possibly been told, most drugs are not actually addictive. Even the addictive ones really aren't as bad as people try to make them sound. It's a matter of will power.
Me: Yeah, well I'm predisposed to addiction for one thing. Plus I have enough trouble getting out of bed every morning to work out. Getting the will power to break an addiction is not drama I want to add to my life.
Friend: Personally, I wouldn't close yourself off to the idea of drugs. They can be fun. They are, of course, recreation. Nothing more.
I'm going to cut the conversation off there, because it only went into a downward spiral from there. But...I thought I'd share. It's an interesting concept. This guy, is very fascinated in psychology, lucid dreams, etc. Personally, I don't agree with recreational drugs...it's not worth it to me, whether there's side effects or not.
My friend is an atheist, and I didn't want to shut him down from talking to me...by bringing faith into the issue, but my spirituality and faith is far more fulfilling than a drug could ever be. My friendships and relationships being secondary to that, as things that I find worth my time.
However, I welcome opposing opinions, and different outlooks on the subject from anyone brave enough to comment! And while I'm on that track, allow me to pose to you, my readers, the same question that was asked of me a little while ago.
Comment Question: If you were offered some form of (interesting) mind-altering substance, think you'd try it?
With all of that said, I'm extremely tired and headed to sleep!
Good night, great void of the internet.
