Raw

First, don't take 'em.

But...

I got a bit of crit recently. One night after a drop of Jack Daniels (not used to that) I posted on Facebook requesting entertaining chemicals. Having had time to think, I am pleased I did. I have been all too aware of the "drug problem". It's bullshit. Rather, the reality [sic] is a long way removed from the public perception, aka the media perception. Right now, I would recommended caffeine and cannabis for everyone, beer for most As a 48 year old, who has partaken of a few varieties, I'd say leave it at that. Beware of alcohol - though that could just be me. But surely it is up to the individual, assuming they are in full control of their decisions, to choose to do these things or not? There are shitloads of sociatal pressures around, and some of these chemicals do have a delitarious effect on health. But most of the most dangerous drugs, just aren't. Look in the literature, look at Keith Richards, it's not the chemical that's dangerous. Don't get me wrong, in a past life (before my wife extracted me) I was surrounded by peers dropping like flies. That was basically miserable junkies, low life, hand to mouth existence. Good people. But also before then I'd seen plenty of proper upper-middle class London architect types snorting loads of coke, doing skag, the difference being...not the chemicals.

The legality of it all is a joke. Pharm companies making a mint meanwhile. And t'pubs. Cigarette, now please.

No, it's convenient to demonize drugs, but have you seen the stats on antidepressants? They're usually meant to up your serotonin - but they don't really work that much better than placebo. Well it isn't maybe sustainable, but maybe try an E and maybe you could imagine life being better. A hint of optimism.

On the hallucinogenics front, all bets are off. Weird shit. The human brain does have receptors for these chemicals, some time in our evolutionary past it was useful. No idea. wooooooo

The issues around this stuff are long and wide, and there's a hella long history. Coca Cola. Great Binge (10 years either side of 1900), every known ancient civilization. Posh Romans sweetened their wine with white lead, that decline was maybe unintentional. That's drunks for ya.

Just for the record, I don't actually do this kind of thing any more, haven't done (with one passing blip a few years ago) for about 20 years. Nowadays I find there are more interesting things to do.

PS. removed a bit of my personal history - trust me, not an interesting bit.