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Do drugs improve creative writing?

IAmJacksUserName

IAmJacksUserName

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(I know this is partly a drug-related topic, but it's also connected to improving writing skills, so I'm leaving it for the writers to discuss.)

I'm still not entirely sure what my ideal state is for creative writing. I've done a lot of writing high (opiates, uppers, pot, hallucinogens), but I have also done a lot of good writing sober. Part of me thinks that drugs do enhance my creative writing, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to my own addictions. I definitely don't structure words as well when I'm inebriated, and much of what I write when drugged is just random, nonsensical shit, but I do find that I'll occasionally find a creative gem occasionally from my high writing. Still, I do wondering if drugs do more harm than good for the creative process.

So, writers, do you believe that drugs enhance the creative process, or is a sober mind really the best state of mind for creativity?
 
For ME, for the writing of JOKES . . .

Being impaired DEFINITELY helps ME with thinking outside of the box, and in turn, helps with creating smart, original jokes - it allows me to better focus on alternative POV's and also allows me to wrute things which seem absurd, but which still maintain a strong internal logic.

For PERFORMING, however - a residual buzz (to loosen me up, but WITHOUT making me forget my lines / slur my words) is PERFECT.
 
I have to say that I have written some of my best work while under the influence of uppers. I tend to get it all written down then put it somewhere safe and review it again when I'm sober. Seems to be a winning formula so far, although I take care to make sure I'm still writing when sober so as not to lose the skill!!
 
I think that writing when high opens up channels I may not have thought about when sober. I have seen myself at parties having a great time, then suddenly I'm rushing for paper and a pen, then reading out my newly concieved words to my friends...
 
Interesting. I think the consensus is that drugs are great for getting ideas out there, but best to be reviewed while sober. Come to think of it, it's hard to think of a great writer in the past couple centuries that didn't have some drug craving, whether it's Edgar Allen Poe on opium or Ernest Hemmingway on booze.
 
Yes and No.

I find cannabis can be great for abstract thought but can also be problematic with self-doubt elements creeping in. If I had a dollar for every post i've typed out whilst high and then deleted before posting because i've thought that no-one would understand it...
 
Marijuana in my opinion can really help with creative writing although if I had to choose I would definitely say Adderall all the way.
 
I write well when I'm writing ABOUT an experience, usually drug-related. On drugs I am too distracted with having a good time that I melt away into the experience and don't have enough self-motivation to write. One day I hope to try it though. It seems to work for some interesting authors.
 
In my past, I have found that the experiences I gained from altered mind states served as inspiration for my written work or art, but that altered mind states did not themselves improve my writing or creative skills. We draw inspiration and creativity from our myriad experiences, but creativity and artistic ability are things that must be refined over time through practice and dedication. Some possess naturally greater talent than others in these areas.

There were times where I became deluded, though, and believed that my creativity hinged upon psychedelics and other substances. Many times I also believed that my creativity stemmed from mania as I am bipolar. After I stopped using and went on effective medications to treat my mental illness, I have discovered that I have always been as creative as I ever was and that my technique has only managed to improve through practice and continued refinement.
 
I find my drunk writing to be pretty good as long as it's not something that requires a formal structure....anything where I can just let stuff come out in a stream works well though.

For anything else, the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that gives me any kind of creative push at all is acid, and I'm not generally in a state while I am actually tripping to be able to focus enough to write anything decent. Maybe that's partially experience though? I have been a filthy drunkard for many more years than I have been a tripper, and usually while tripping I am not really in a conducive environment for sitting down and doing creative writing anyways......

I can't think of anything else that would even give me any motivation to write to be honest as far as substances go....
 
I wrote alot of my favorite stuff when I was strung out on heroin. For some reason creativity tends to be quite good at that point. Also sometimes alcohol can be a big plus. Plenty of amp'd out ramblings.

I think you said it best 'Jack' drugs/etc. can be a great way to get ideas out there and than when sober clean it up. Unfortunately I have never really edited/cleaned up anything have written.

peace,
seedless
 
Drugs can definately boost creativity and promote more abstract thinking but I find they can also do the exact opposite aswell (normally after the peak :P) leaving you (me) with very basic ideas and thinking processes.
 
I might be the only person who will say no.. I think creativity isn't genuine if it is chemically induced. I think the only reason that people find it easier to write while high or drunk is that they don't have as much mind activity going on, and they have some synthetic confidence.

Granted, my opinion prob has something to do with the fact that i used to do drugs and i am clean now.
But on the other hand, a lot of the other people who chose drugs prob still abuse drugs.

I think it is something you have to figure out for yourself on a personal basis
 
Nice thread.

Sometimes I find myself with the perfect combination of chemicals AND the perfect mood/setting and the words spill out effortlessly, but I think the mood/setting is more important than the drugs. I find that because I have been an addict for most of my adult life, it is difficult to write while sober simply due to withdrawals. But then again sometimes the lack of sleep/edginess that comes with my sobriety is perfect. It depends on what I'm writing.

I find that I'm able to come up with ideas better while under the influence, but my ability to construct a coherent narrative is somewhat impaired. Almost all of my best ideas have come from some sort of chemical inspiration, but I don't linger on them long enough. I get distracted with other ideas. But then it depends on the drugs, I guess.

I don't like it when people make generalized comments about 'drugs', myself included. So I'll clarify:

Psychedelics (assuming a fairly low/manageable dose) are good for brainstorming ideas, thinking outside the box. However, as I said, it's hard to write a substantial quantity of words when you're tripping without kind of losing the plot at some point.

Amphetamines are good for turning the ideas into plots. But they're also good at making you go insane.

Alcohol/Weed (I know it's technically a psychedelic) make me sloppy most of the time. Sometimes, very rarely, I can write well when I'm stoned/drunk/both.

DXM/other dissociatives always make me write the weirdest shit that I ever come up with. Most of the time it makes no sense the next morning, but occasionally there's some gold.

It isn't a coincidence that most of the great writers were under the influence of something. But that doesn't mean that drugs make you a great writer.
 
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