Comment Re:i've been on psilocybin (Score 1) 165
what does a drug actually do psychopharmacologically? it doesn't open up some unknown portal in your mind. it simply shuts things down. its simple biochemistry, look it up
You need to go back to pharmacology class. 5-HTa receptor agonists do NOT "shut down" parts of the brain. Quite the opposite, they result in activity being increased, while also causing signal confusion (neural paths that would not normally be fired by a given neuron may fire, those that would fire may not, both, or neither.)
Perceptual changes are due to this confusion. This is not the same as cognitive confusion, as the user is usually quite cognizant and aware of the differences (and novelty) of the changes to their perception.
Drug use does not create, alter, or diminish artistic ability (though excessive abuse may.) While under the influence, a given drug may reduce, alter, or increase an artists ability to produce art. And any perceptual or cognitive changes experienced may give the artist new ideas in how to express a given concept artistically.
Opiates & Psychedelics have been used in this fashion for centuries. They allow a person to change their viewpoints and break long-held concepts temporarily (even sometimes permanently) which can give the artist a new way of looking at or perceiving the world....which opens up new ways of conveying the concepts and ideas.
This is the reason the mammalian mind is wired to want to alter its consciousness. Such changes may or may not be successful, but without the opportunity to be expressed or tried, beneficial changes may be missed. It allows social evolution to occur in quicker jumps, and promotes change in a populations thinking be more fluid.
No, it doesn't grant insight. BUT, it can allow insight to occur where it might not before. It's up to the individual to work with what they experience AFTERWARD, using their inborn talents.
