Regina A

“This arbitrary distinction makes no sense. Oftentimes the alleviation of pain, whether it’s psychologically or anatomically based, contributes to feelings of intense well-being and happiness, that is, to a sense of having “a good time.” Disentangling these deeply personal and idiosyncratic constructs is a difficult, if not an impossible, task. Similarly, the sacred experiences that positively affect one’s self-perception, worldview, goals, and ability to transcend one’s difficulties are hard to separate from one’s feelings of pleasure or happiness. What’s more, psychedelic drugs aren’t unique in their ability to produce these responses. I certainly have experienced all these effects after taking heroin or cocaine or MDMA or any number of the drugs that I discuss in this book.”
― Carl L. Hart, Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

“Together, these developments have contributed to the removal of the stigma associated with using these substances, so long as the reason for use is not to get high. If your aim is to seek relief from an emotional or physical ailment or to achieve spiritual transcendence or to find your god, cool. But if you merely want to have a good time, not cool.”
― Carl L. Hart, Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear