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Has drug abuse hindered your artistic creativity?

nuttynutskin

nuttynutskin

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May 15, 2011
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Something kind of just off the top of my head because I'm cleaning out my room at 4am... For those artistic types of people out there, do you feel that drug abuse hindered your creativity? I'm sure depression is a big part of it too at least for me, but as most know that usually goes hand in hand. It's honestly depressing to go through visual art (in this case) that you've done after years of having done nothing artistic except a bit musically, and seeing whatever level you had gotten to. I think psychedelics actually increase artistic ability when not abused, but I'm talking more of the mind numbing drugs like alcohol, opiates, etc.
 
I find it quite the opposite. I can come up with awesome lyrics when I'm messed up. Especially on gaba agonists such as phenibut\kpin. And it helps a ton when I'm in the studio behind the mic. Weed is also plentiful and I can't remember the last time I've ever wrote or performed not high.
 
Can you perform as well NOT high tho? lol I've heard people that do or learn things while stoned all of the time actually retain the memory less if they are sober. That could be complete bs but either way I guess I'm thinking more about the harder drugs. Maybe it's just me but I can't help but wonder if it diminishes people's creativity. When I looked through some pictures I drew during my acid days there was some crazy intricate drawings I did that there's no way I could do now.
 
I guess acquaintance with stimulants and empathogens somewhat led to hindering of my creativity. As well as getting work. I don't know what of the reasons had a greater impact but fact is - last time I draw anything was like 3-4 years ago.
Not saying that my overall creativity now is weaker, not at all. I just don't feel any strong intention to draw/write something. I feel ok to keep ideas inside my mind without expressing or sharing them to anyone. Mostly. Sometimes I still want to do that though...
But definitely when I had used psychedelics & dissociatives only and hadn't general necessity to work I wasn't that creative-lazy.
Btw, if talk about alcohol, weird or not but now when I got drunk I really enjoy to read or compose a poetry. One of the very few advantages of alcohol as for me :) It doesn't mean I can't enjoy lyrics without alcohol though. But if I'm drunk I become much more emotionally sensitive.
 
yea i know what ya mean... it is hard as hell for me to be creative when im high... but when i stop using its like a flood of ideas for a week or two then kinda levels off....

as for writing and music, george carlin put it best... do most of the work sober, then get high and tweak it... guess it kinda works w art also but idk just my opion
 
I remember once after years of taking no drugs (and finding myself in sort of a dead spot with my art) I asked a stoner friend to get me some weed, thinking it might spark something totally new. I smoked, went down to my studio and proceeded to sit in front of all my art supplies for two hours staring at them blankly. After that I laughed at myself and everything else in my vision for probably another hour and then fell asleep. =D
 
It has changed it … I used to not be able to write or paint unless I was suffering a lot, this actually fueled the artist within which I did quite well with it for sometime. The drawback was not knowing when to stop and not being able to produce any work, without being under the influence… or having the drug in my system due to withdrawal. I am not able write much with a sober mind, as I have not as much pain to express now - but I can still draw and do photography somehow… The energy is different, expression etc.. style
 
I can't get anything done when I'm blazing. Drugs in general don't really help. Stimulants help me focus but i get TOO focused and end up with bullshit a lot.

I've been smoking, I dunno a half or a zip a day for months. very uncreative period i'm having. imma kill this bag and go sober, musics more important.

I'm more creative sober. sometimes i used to like a few drinks before i got on the mic. haven't drank in months though.
 
Drugs definitely hinder creativity when used to beyond recreational levels. In the height of my active addiction I was totally switched off from creating anything, I didn't even really enjoy listening to music. Fast forward into my recovery and it's become something massive in my life. I'm in one of the most creative periods of my life right now without drugs!
 
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