Stimulant And Suppressant Chemicals

[nailit]

Why do humans seem to depend on drugs/chemicals of one type or another?
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't imbibe either stimulants or suppressants of one type or another.
Also why the double standards? I know some very anti-drug people (the 'lock them up' types) who cant do without their caffeine, some recovering alcoholics who talk about addiction when they smoke like chimneys and others who cant abide illegal drugs but will happily take tranquellisers or sleeping tabs (in some instances for years).

Interested in any views on this,
thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

I think it's quite a natural trait to want to heighten sensations that to a point the body produces naturally, be it euphoria,fear,heightened awareness or even deep relaxation and sleep.

Criticising another addiction other than your own is also pretty human.

[pixie374]

I do know some who don't take anything. I think it's mostly unnatural and pressured lives- people use unnatural aids. You need to be awake at certain times, concentrating, sleeping, working, etc etc.

[pixie374]

We didn't really need that one, baldric!

[nailit]

Eh?
What you on about Baldric?

[Mamyalynne]

Nailit, I know I'm a pain for suggesting how to handle things - but best left and move on.

Hope my reply made some sense, I knew what I meant when I typed it.

[Mamyalynne]

It's not just humans either, some animals seek out plants that give them a high for example.

[Tilly2]

Baldric, why don't you just stay away from the posts of people you don't appear to like?

[Mamyalynne]

Repeating it isn't helping.

[nailit]

Mamy, I know exactly what you meant, thanks :-)

[Tilly2]

Even the Ancient Aztecs had their hot chocolate drink. It must be a human trait to use various substances as a comfort aid.

[Tilly2]

...or it may have been the Incas...or both. :-)

[237SJ]

I agree with Mamya's post at 1608

[Tilly2]

So do I. That's a very good answer.

[pixie374]

I think there are as many different reasons as there are people.

[donny48]

One of the most common criticisms is a persons reaction to pain without taking into account that we all have different pain thresholds,
My pain can easily be someone elses agony.

[nailit]

Think I may have touched a nerve somewhere, didn't mean to, Its a genuine question. From my experience, humans DO seem to have a prediliction to take chemicals of one type or another. Also certain animals also seem attracted to certain types of chemicals. But humans seem unique to me in the variety of substances used...uppers, downers, stimulants, suppressants, etc.

[237SJ]

That's because they have the intelligence to manufacture them themselves whereas animals have to make do with what is found in nature

[Mamyalynne]

Because we have the gift of choice and free will to an extent, an animal will be restricted in what they can find in their locale.