Opinions on recreational drug use?

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by RedMenace

Compared to alcohol, I'd say LSD sounds pretty darn safe.

What is your professional qualification to assess that? You see, I have a huge problem with such statements, for I have seen in a clinical context people who had so-called horror-trips, or were suffering longterm mental problems after having consumed LSD and/or according drugs. not my main interest at that time, admitted, but I couldn't avoid to come into touch with this theme as well when working in hospital. Not every trip is a bad trip, and not every consumer turns into a zombie. But there is a risk. and it is greater than just drinking half a bottle of whiskey. Some people are haunted by just one bad trip for the rest of their lives. That is no panic-making, but a medical fact.

[PeriscopeDepth]

I think the harder drugs should be regulated by the government. But for everything else, people should follow their own guidance. It seems pretty silly that alcohol and tobacco are perfectly legal, though other drugs aren't. The really big problem is: where do you draw the line on what kinds of drugs should be and shouldn't be legal. It seems to be different for every person.

PD

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Letum

"Drugs are a health risk."

However, there are some drugs that carry less risk of physical or mental injury than rugby does.

I find it hard to condemn drugs on the basis that they cause physical and /or mental damage
with out condemning rugby, rock climbing, DIY or extreme sports.

"Drugs are linked to crime."

However, just because one takes drugs does not mean that you will commit crime.
The vast majority of drug users are not criminals.
There is also a link between being male and committing crime.

I find it hard to condemn drugs on the basis that they are linked to crime with out
condemning my gender.

"Drugs may cause you to sit at home all day, unwashed doing no work."

Well, yes, I have seen that often enough. However, you can do that with or
without drugs.
I'm told the Internet has similar effects.

"Drugs can be enjoyable."

Can't really argue with that, that's why they are so popular.

"Drugs can be very un-enjoyable."

Can't argue with that either!



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I don't take drugs for the same reason I don't take part in extreme sports; for me the
benefits do not out weigh the risks.

If someone else wishes to take drugs then I don't see any logical reason to condemn or stop them.

Hey Letum, we agree on something!

I'm not as up on arguments for or against drugs as I'd like to be, but I completely agree that any argument that can be made against marijuana can be made against alcohol and tobacco as well. More safe? Less safe? Nice to argue, but making something illegal because it's dangerous to the user is a fool's game.

[Hitman]

I might be a bit radical in this, but IMO anyone who needs drugs to have fun ("recreational use") has a psychological/psychiatric problem. Drugs are just that, drugs, i.e. "soft" poison that doesn't kill you but intoxicates your brain and nerves, changing your perception of joy, risk, pleasure and pain. If you need drugs to really really enjoy being with friends, having sex with your wife/girlfirend/whoever, or simply stop being shy, you have a BIG problem. Sport -though not in excess- and healthy diet as care for the body, and meditation/philosophy, plus intense, non-egoist and sincere family and friendship relations plus mental games for the mind are what will provide you the best balance and more intense satisfaction. Drugs are just the easy way, the way for cowards or subjects with a lack of personality and will. A bad remedy to enjoy life during their effects and just feel miserable later.

As for the difference between "legalized" drugs and "illegal" drugs, I must say that I personally don't smoke and hate cigarretes, while I drink only in weekends beer and ocasionally wine. Rarely, a glass of whisky or preferably Armagnac. Those drinks I enjoy for their taste and not for the alcohol effect, which is very mild if taken with moderation. In turn, it is well documented that beer and wine have healthy properties (A daily glass of Red wine reduces your chances of heart attacks) and help your stomach make the digestion of the meals (Also the Cognac/Armagnac). Plus beer has lots of nutritive elements.

Thus, taken with moderation, beer, wine and some spirits are a healthy thing that comes with a small non-healthy part (The alcohol), which is not different than some meal (F.e. you can eat things that have good properties but come with some cholesterol). Moderation is the key to enjoy their benefits while not suffering from their drawbacks.

That is WAY different than smoking ordinary tobacco or Marihuana, not to mention LSD and harder things. All those substances do anything good for your body but instead just produce an intoxication. The joy of that intoxication is artificial and temporary, and produces no benefit. Instead, it will just leave you with a stronger desire to have it back, as you body gest used to feeling well and relaxed only by using them.

I know I'm preaching in the desert, but everybody should experience at least once in his life what a healthy body and mind feels like. I know it's a hard way, but if you persevere and discover it, you will never like anything else.

My 2 cents

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Hitman

I might be a bit radical in this, but IMO anyone who needs drugs to have fun ("recreational use") has a psychological/psychiatric problem

[...]

never like anything else.

My 2 cents

whilst much of that may be true to some extent, for some people it is worth the price.


Like the extreme sportsman who risks his life for the feeling of achievement, the drug user
risks his sanity for the dizzying highs of intoxication.

[Jimbuna]

I smoke tobacco and and enjoy alcoholic drinks from time to time. I AM ALSO TOTALLY ANTI DRUGS, so I guess in some peoples eyes that would make me a hypocrite.
I maintain my belief based solely upon the totally unnecessary destruction and human carnage I often see it cause.

Drugs are just the easy way, the way for cowards or subjects with a lack of personality and will.

Mmmmm.....worrying oppinion that, I think I detect an element of extremism in you old man. i suggest a good spliff to calm your radicalism.

[Penelope_Grey]

Originally Posted by Enigma

This is completely false.

No it isn't completely false.

Marijuana or whatever handle you wish to give it, with enough usage can, and does, eventually clog up the pathways in your brain. Effectively turning you into a hapless clod eventually.

It intereferes with the natural chemical orders inside ones brain, and as a consequence requires that the user will have to take it in order to feel good, because there will be no other way else he can feel good.

Marijuana in its raw form is still something that when inhaled causes you harm. No matter how you dress it up.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by Penelope_Grey

Marijuana in its raw form is still something that when inhaled causes you harm. No matter how you dress it up.

:hmm: What if you eat it

:rotfl:

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I maintain my belief based solely upon the totally unnecessary destruction and human carnage I often see it cause.

Whether this is a function of the drugs themselves or the social effects of their illegality is something I can't decide.
Probably a combination of the two.

[Jimbuna]

Whatever the function, the outcome is usually always the same

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by bigboywooly

:hmm: What if you eat it

:rotfl:

I love you, Alice B. Toklas.

The modifier 'recreational' is the canard. Its like saying someone is a 'recreational' thief, or child molester, murderer. After all its only done occasionally and for the ejoyment of the one partaking in it.

[Onkel Neal]

I'm against it. Never saw any positive use for drugs, but as we all know, there are many, many negative effects. I've never had someone tell me, "Neal, my life is totally screwed up because I don't use drugs." I've heard the opposite many times. It's a shame human nature has not progressed beyond the urge to twist one's brain patterns with toxic substances.

[Sailor Steve]

I agree; I'm against it too. I also always wear a helmet on a motorcyle, but I don't think other folks should be making laws to save me from myself. I say legalize now.