Do opiates and narcotics really help you expand your creativity???

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   PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years ago

   Do opiates and narcotics really help you expand your creativity???

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   Tara Andertonposted 11 years ago

   ummmm not really sure if there is a right answer too this question. I think it can but it isnt the only way to do so.

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, you can say that. Because many other factors trigger creativity too-
      Like long walks, rainy day etc.

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   Ratihegdeposted 11 years ago

   definitely not the permanent solution to anything ... meditation and observation would help one more (and it doesn't even have any side effects).

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      yeah meditating and observing things around you, often makes you come up with new ideas.

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   huckelburyposted 11 years ago

   Refer to Coleridge's descriptions at the beginning of his career and near the end. He composed "Kubla Khan" after nodding off after smoking opium. He dreamed the entire poem but was interrupted by a visitor before he could complete the poem, leaving us with only a fragment. Later, however, his poems and his prose demonstrate a shift. He became convinced that opium destroyed his creative abilities or at least compromised them. Since I can't speak from experience, all I can do is refer to people who can. If you're including hallucinogenics in the mix, perhaps that's another question, but again I would have to defer to those with more knowledge and experience.

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmm..interesting fact. Yeah narcotics and opiates are known to have ill-effects on your body sooner or later. Asked this question, after stumbling into a news snippet claiming that a famous writer used to "use" it

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   alancaster149posted 11 years ago

   Maybe in the short term, but there's no substitute for keeping your brain active by exercising the body. Take some long walks in the park and see how the fresh air 'clears out the cobwebs'. That should bring some creativity - that and scanning the papers or angling around for themes. I've got a 'waiting list' of subject matter that I'm wading through at the moment, and I keep getting more ideas as I go along! I find as I work through the Hubs I sometimes get ideas for others.
   The long-term effect of narcotics is a downward spiral, whereas the long-term effect of exercising the brain is a sharper wit.

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting thought. Like the "Clearing out the cobwebs" metaphor. In my opinion, narcotics-induced-creativity is short-term with no solid conclusion whatsoever. Agreed on the last two sentences. And it is the sharper wit, indeed!

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   Mrs Jil Manningposted 11 years ago

   No way!  they send me to sleep.  I'm with Alan, if I want to get creative I lift some weights or go for a walk.  When I have to take narcotic pain killers I don't even get decent dreams from which to draw creativity, as the drug affects the body's ability to attain REM sleep.  Try a bit of meditation, yoga or exercise to tap into your creativity!

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A cough syrup sends me to sleep!! So, imagine what would opiates and narcotics do?? And yeah, Meditation and observation is the best and fruitful option for expanding your creativity!!

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   workingmomwmposted 11 years ago

   No. They only make you high, so that you feel more creative. When you're that high, you think you're capable of anything...
   
   Creativity is already inside you, and it will expand itself if you let it. You don't need drugs. Meditation can definitely help with the process.
   
   The best thing to do is to write (or paint, or whatever creative activity you want to do) first thing in the morning. Those first waking moments before the distractions of the day set in are when we are most connected to our inner, subconscious selves.

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed on the first para. Getting high does certainly makes us audacious. And yeah the early morning writing is always productive.

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   David R Bradleyposted 11 years ago

   All the creativity you need is already in you.  You do not need to put a chemical into your body that messes with your already perfect brain chemistry to be more creative.  To enhance your creativity naturally, make sure you are crystal clear on your purpose, that it is in line with good, ethical principles, and that you are connected to your higher power, who ever that may be.  Next step is to start allowing your creativity to come out and flow...  this is a Hub for sure.  Great question by the way, thank you for stimulating MY creativity...  I need to go write more on this...  stay tuned!

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      PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Huh, pleased to stimulate your creativity, so there you go, Creativity expanded sans opiates!! Hence, proved no opiates and Narcotics don't aid you rather they destroy your creativity or in some cases 'you' too!!!

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9. 81

   David R Bradleyposted 11 years ago

   Searching for how to be more creative?  How to boost creativity?  How to be more creative in thinking?  How to be more creative in art?  How to be more creative in writing?  How to be more confident? read more

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    chuckd7138posted 11 years ago

    Some people do claim that the use of drugs helps them with certain creative ideas, but in my opinion, that's cheating. It's no different than an athlete using performance -enhancing drugs. I don't even count those people as artists, because it's the drug, not the person's imagination.
    Another way of looking at it is this: Would you want to compete against someone that creates that way? Since there are so many talent-search competitions out there (which, in poetry corners, I have entered), is it fair for drug-induced creations to win against the creations from people that have natural ability? I don't think it is fair. However, many of these competitions are through mail-in submissions. So, there is no way of telling if they are natural or from "creative enhancement".
    As for me, I do not use drugs (for many reasons), and I make a concerted effort to not support "artists" that do. I hope you choose to not go down that path and that you find much success from being a natural artist with a true imagination.

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Let me get one thing clear, here, i am a 20yr old guy pursuing engineering, so I wouldn't want to waste my life on drugs. In fact, i condemn it too.
       Nevertheless, agreed on  the first para. but we should ask the Pink Floyd  crew the same question.

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    MPChrisposted 11 years ago

    Something similiar, I used to have a drink whenever I wrote. I found I would write less without a drink...I haven't taken drinking out of the equation, but I drink less.

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       Rod Marsdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I tend to write with a cup of coffee in hand. Maybe the caffeine helps.

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Many people tend to drink while writing but has never really worked out for me. I feel lazy. But I can give a prolix, orally. Hmm..maybe next time I'll keep a recorder with myself!

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    Rod Marsdenposted 11 years ago

    The answer to opiates is no. Check out Confessions of an Opium Eater by Thomas De Quincey. As for narcotics, I really don't know.

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I will. Drugs are harmful, needless to say but the question here is do they really do stimulate creativity??

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       Rod Marsdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       According to Thomas De Quincey, opium and thus opiates tend to make the taker's dreams more vivid but at the same time take away the strength and determination a writer needs to write. Opium is not a stimulant. It is, in fact, the opposite .

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hmmmm...Interesting!!! You know, those researchers, sitting around unemployed, should do a research on this!!

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    MzChaosposted 11 years ago

    Yes they can...anything which gives the mind permission to see something out of the ordinary, is a source of creativity.  I used to read the Carlos Castaneda's stories, he was usually on peyote or lord knows what for some of the shamanic rituals.  I would to myself, I can do the same thing sitting on my front porch watching butterflies. 
    
    So, it is a weird mix...if you don't know what drugs do to you, or the type and how the body responds, then I guess it would be hard to gauge other ways that might expand creativity.  Drugs, meditation....even something as simple as putting on another persons glasses and watching the table rippled because your eyes aren't used to the lens type (A story someone told me just yesterday).  They are all fodder for an increase in perception, and all of it increases creativity - in my opinion.

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       So, you are suggesting, that it doesn't necessarily have to be drugs, the trick is to find the right drug/hobby/exercise to trigger creativity?? It's different for different being. That's a point to ponder upon.

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       MzChaosposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I personally think...all of the above trigger extra creativity, if you aren't seduced and overcome by the experience.  It's all usable, and it's all good!

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       My stream of consciousness flow a lot, after a break-up, tough week, travel, music, movies and lot of sleep. Haven't tried opiates, cannabis et al. So, it'd be safe to say, that drugs don't really ensure brilliant creativity.

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       MzChaosposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       True!  I have found the more altered I am in my states of awareness, the less something like alcohol, or drugs, will effect me at all. Some drugs will have absolutely no effect, not for a high, not for creativity. Not all creativity is brilliant.

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    Lyrickkwposted 11 years ago

    No. Drugs are bad. You should be able to be creative on your own without the assistance of any drugs. Remember you fry your brain cells with drugs so think wisely and don't do drugs so you can answer questions like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I don't do drugs or smoke for that matter. The question came to my mind after stumbling upon a new snippet!

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    epigrammanposted 11 years ago

    ....sounds like a question best answered by someone like Hunter S. Thompson, John Lennon, Dr. Seuss, or Aldous Huxley ....and although the epigramman sometimes writes like he is on drugs - lol lol lol -(check out one of my new ones - The floral brassiere) it is all from his fabulously warped mind - the best high is the natural high that you get from life - I know it sounds a bit corny but it's true - especially after you've explored life and come back to 'home base'
    Look at Salvador Dali, for instance, it was just in him I believe to create his artistic masterpieces - some people have that innate gift and some people don't - it's called the 'edge' ......
    lake erie time ontario canada 12:49pm
    but Louis Armstrong and Willie Nelson both smoked a reefer everyday of their lives so maybe Peter Tosh (irie) had the right idea when he sang "Leagalize it' - lol

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       hahahha...lighter side to it I see. And there is a reason why it is corny, to say that the best high you get is from life, it is corny because it has been proved correct time and time again.

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    bizzymomposted 11 years ago

    I'm not an expert on the matter, but my initial response is "NO"!  I do not believe that these drugs could be helpful in any way.  Interesting question though!

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       NO, seems to be the general consensus!!

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    Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

    Dearest boy,
    if one needs to rely on such substances to be creative, then one cannot claim to be an artist.

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       PseudoMcCoyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yeah, true that!!

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