Why are smart kids more likely to do drugs?

[Os Cangaceiros]

http://theweek.com/article/index/248371/why-are-smart-kids-more-likely-to-do-drugs

[RedBen]

http://theweek.com/article/index/248371/why-are-smart-kids-more-likely-to-do-drugs
i don't buy it, but maybe open mindedness or objective thinking or curiosity have something to do with it. ?:confused:

[Dagoth Ur]

Smart kids are less likely to fall for being squares. Being square is counterrevolutionary.

[d3crypt]

Well i consider myself smart and i do some drugs occasionally. Its because the harm of them is exaggerated and i want to have fun.

[Dagoth Ur]

I don't consider harm as a useful qualifier for whether a drug is doable. If I knew a cool dude who wouldn't fuck me (in the bad way) I'd do heroin.

[Skyhilist]

Well "smart" is subjective.

Also, I don't think you see many smart kids doing hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. With others like weed and hallucinogens, perceptive kids are more likely to see through the anti-drug propaganda when it has little to no logic to prop itself up.

[Brosa Luxemburg]

It is absolutely a combination of:


they are inclined to experiment from time to time with drugs because there is limited data on the damaging effects of occasional drug use.

and


A third hypothesis suggests that gifted children simply fit the profile of drug users. Highly intelligent kids tend to suffer more from social isolation and boredom, which can lead them to seek out new experiences and tools to cope with being different.

Although I wouldn't say "social isolation" and "boredom" but finding commonality with others that feel like they've been "shunned" so to speak.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

I've never smoked in my life. I am now an untermensch, it seems.

[BIXX]

I've never smoked in my life. I am now an untermensch, it seems.

I don't know why this made me laugh.

In my case, I drink but that's really it. I don't enjoy pot and hallucinogens scare me (as I have had previous issues with seeing shit) so I'd rather not risk them. But I like drinking well enough I guess.

Never remember to post in the drunk thread though.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

It is absolutely a combination of:



and



Although I wouldn't say "social isolation" and "boredom" but finding commonality with others that feel like they've been "shunned" so to speak.

And isn't there some correlation between depressions and what-not as well with supposed "intelligence" (it's always a terrible road to go down, trying to pin-point what that exactly means and all), so there would be some effect from people being more inclined to do drugs as means to... escape the pain of existence.

I neither do drugs nor do I ever drink alcohol, so I'm totally daft.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

Well "smart" is subjective.

Also, I don't think you see many smart kids doing hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. With others like weed and hallucinogens, perceptive kids are more likely to see through the anti-drug propaganda when it has little to no logic to prop itself up.
i'm fairly ''smart'' and i've done a shit load of cocaine, quite a bit of heroin too.

i know people of all different levels of intelligence that have got into drugs in some way. the difference between being smart with drugs and not being smart comes down to educating yourself on drugs properly, as opposed to believing everything the government tells you. or your peer group for that matter. being educated on drugs and trying to see them objectively in the face of the anti-drug propaganda machine is the same as being educated in political systems and not falling the illusion of bourgeois democracy or electing its officials. that's the way i've always seen it.

education, harm-reduction. very smart people are involved with these concepts and many of them do drugs. the smartest and most interesting people i know have used drugs, the dullest are usually against it because drugs are bad, m'kay? this isn't always the case, but ime, i've always found that open-minded, creative people tend to be the 'smartest' and most interesting and many of them have experimented with drugs. i don't see anything smart about fearing something and closing yourself off from it because governments or corporations tell you its bad, whether you do it or not is irrelevant. its about having an open-mind, which is a step towards broadening your intellectual capacity after all.

[Quail]

Even if intelligent people are more likely to do drugs, that doesn't imply that people who don't do drugs are unintelligent.

I think intelligence is hard to measure (and define, tbh, because there are loads of different types of intelligence), and it seems that the studies in the article used IQ. IQ isn't really a good way of determining potential. I used to do well on the IQ tests as a kid and I use drugs for a variety of reasons. I like psychedelics for the new perspectives they can give, and I use alcohol/pot to wind down. I have been pro-legalisation since I was a young teenager because the drug laws have always seemed like bullshit to me. However I have also had a bunch of mental health problems, which were exacerbated by how much of a perfectionist I am. I don't know if there's any correlation between scoring high on IQ tests and perfectionism, but that could possibly explain why kids with high IQs are more likely to use drugs in a negative way. I read a while ago there is also a link between high achieving kids and anorexia.

[Comrade Jacob]

Smart people have brain-cells to spare.

[Sasha]

We know how to party...

[Skyhilist]

i'm fairly ''smart'' and i've done a shit load of cocaine, quite a bit of heroin too.

Okay, although I don't think anecdotal evidence represented by a single individual (yourself) is really enough to suggest that "smart" kids are more likely to get into the hard stuff like heroin or cocaine specifically.

[Nemo]

Despite the subjectivity of "smartness," I think it's a matter of critical thinking and being less likely to buy into propaganda that calls pot evil and warns people about the throes of addiction to hallucinogens (i.e. unsubstantiated fear-mongering).

Even with hard drugs, it's a matter of knowing possible consequences and thinking critically--educating yourself (like the article mentions).

[Ceallach_the_Witch]

I drink fairly heavily sometimes and I smoke weed occasionally (I try to maintain big gaps between using it since it makes me feel lethargic if I have much at once) I've never tried anything else but I'd love to try psychedelics - especially lsd, tho mushrooms are much more realistic.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

Okay, although I don't think anecdotal evidence represented by a single individual (yourself) is really enough to suggest that "smart" kids are more likely to get into the hard stuff like heroin or cocaine specifically.
i never suggested that. 'specifically'? i never specified anything - I rejected the notion that smart kids are less likely to do hard drugs like coke or heroin, because its bullshit.

the last heroin user i met was a doctor.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

My hypothesis is that the stoners and moderate drug users are usually cool people to hang out with, and the smart kids can tell.


[edit]
Well, most stoners. Not the really boring ones who only ever wanna get stoned and never want to do anything else. That's no fun.

[Consistent.Surprise]

The one thing I don't see anyone pointing out that I have noticed: intelligent people use drugs because it slows their brains down to a point where they feel comfortable around "average" people. This might only apply to introverts (I am one) but I notice when I have a few good beers in me, I'm not thinking of every little detail & can converse with folks without [unintentionally] speaking above their level. I'm not claiming I'm a genius (I think I'm not) but I forget others are not as versed in some topics as much as I am, & alcohol (my choice of substance) brings my brain activity down, allowing a dialogue everyone can partake in. Just my personal observations.

[Comrade Chernov]

It also might be because smart kids are up to 5 times more likely to fall into depression due to increased mental activity.

[Kenco Smooth]

It also might be because smart kids are up to 5 times more likely to fall into depression due to increased mental activity.

Common myth but the relationship is either actually negative (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2772900/)or non-existent (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15066893).

[Zergling]

Wow can't believe some people actually use heroin here. I've done some drugs in the past but I'd never ever use heroin. I gotta ask you guys what is the appeal of sticking a needle in your arm?

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Wow can't believe some people actually use heroin here. I've done some drugs in the past but I'd never ever use heroin. I gotta ask you guys what is the appeal of sticking a needle in your arm?
You don't have to stick a needle in your arm to use heroin. You can snort it or smoke it.

[Zergling]

Man if you're gonna snort or smoke heroin you might as well do something else. The high was doing either with heroin is wack.

[blake 3:17]

In high school (and later), the brighter ones either did a lot of dope or none -- and sometimes went vice versa later in life.

I hated dumb hippy pot world at the time (no disrespect to the herb, just the scuzziness of the dealers) but my pals & I got into speed and acid cuz we were so fucking bored.

[Dagoth Ur]

Heroin is a pretty cool drug, in fact all opiates are pretty great. I ride Oxes whenever I can get a hold of them.

Really the only drug I have a reason to not use (other than I didn't like the high) is meth. Although krokodil is in the same excluded class.

[argeiphontes]

Older thread but just wanted to add: Don't do drugs, kids. They're bad for you. But if it grows in the ground it's not a drug, it's an herb. That includes weed, coca, ayahuasca, shrooms, whatever. Humans have been using these for thousands of years. Where you get into trouble is processed drugs. Compare chewing coca leaves or drinking the tea (which kicks ass compared to coffee for a morning pick-me-up btw :grin:) with snorting coke.

AFAIK it's common knowledge that your 'drug of choice' is based on your personality. So, somebody who likes pot doesn't have a real reason to mess with coke or heroin; they probably won't like it. Which why I think ideas about "gateway drugs" are bogus. Of course some people will chime in about how this isn't true, and so be it, but in my personal experience I mildly dislike opiates but love weed. As I write this, in point of fact, I have a beer in one hand and a pipe in the other. Just kidding, I could never type while holding a beer and a pipe. ;) Oops I almost spelled 'write' 'right'.

Apropos the OP, to paraphrase Dean Radin (I admit I'm reading a book by him), "Say 'no' to mind expansion? That doesn't sound right."

There's a reason that top-tier companies in silicon valley, e.g., don't use drug testing--they all do drugs. Drug testing is a humiliation reserved for the proletariat.

edit: Watch out for oxycontins and other prescription meds mixed with acetominophen--that crap can lead to liver failure if you take too much. (That's the reason for the 3-drink warning on acetominophen bottles.)

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Older thread but just wanted to add: Don't do drugs, kids. They're bad for you. But if it grows in the ground it's not a drug, it's an herb. That includes weed, coca, ayahuasca, shrooms, whatever. Humans have been using these for thousands of years. Where you get into trouble is processed drugs. Compare chewing coca leaves or drinking the tea (which kicks ass compared to coffee for a morning pick-me-up btw :grin:) with snorting coke.

AFAIK it's common knowledge that your 'drug of choice' is based on your personality. So, somebody who likes pot doesn't have a real reason to mess with coke or heroin; they probably won't like it. Which why I think ideas about "gateway drugs" are bogus. Of course some people will chime in about how this isn't true, and so be it, but in my personal experience I mildly dislike opiates but love weed. As I write this, in point of fact, I have a beer in one hand and a pipe in the other. Just kidding, I could never type while holding a beer and a pipe. ;) Oops I almost spelled 'write' 'right'.

Apropos the OP, to paraphrase Dean Radin (I admit I'm reading a book by him), "Say 'no' to mind expansion? That doesn't sound right."

There's a reason that top-tier companies in silicon valley, e.g., don't use drug testing--they all do drugs. Drug testing is a humiliation reserved for the proletariat.

edit: Watch out for oxycontins and other prescription meds mixed with acetominophen--that crap can lead to liver failure if you take too much. (That's the reason for the 3-drink warning on acetominophen bottles.)
remember guys, Roxicodone is the brand formulation without tylenol/APAP; take as much of that as you want. lil bitty pills.

[RadioRaheem84]

How in the hell do so many people do heroine on this forum. Its nuts! You guys talk about it like you're popping tic tacs.

Back when I was in high school the only hard drug I was even remotely interested in was ecstasy. I tried it a couple times and stopped at age 18. I always made sure I got my tabs tested for pure MDMA but I'm sure I might have taken a heroine based one, IDK.

Weed I tried every now and then but the shit always made me lazy and paranoid so I just avoid it altogether now. I did adderall a few times too.

I don't know what it is but I just can't stand the drug culture, especially the one surrounding the legalize weed culture. I just drink. Alcohol and a pack of smokes, that's it for me. I second what someone else said in here; that drinking helps me socialize better. It turns off my motor brain and I can connect with people without going off on a tangent.

[Art Vandelay]

Why are smart kids more likely to do drugs? Uhh cause they're smart enough to figure out drugs are fun.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

Also, I don't think you see many smart kids doing hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.

I'm actually incredibly intelligent and I've had serious problems with heroin and alcohol for years. As well as sporadic problems with methamphetamine, PCP, ketamine and other sedatives/tranquilizers. My guess would be, in terms of real drugs, "smart," folks have this hubristic notion that they could perhaps control the drug, it's about dosage and frequency of use, they are smart enough to quit before true addiction sets in, their addiction is manageable, harmless and that everyone is addicted to something or any number of rationalizations. At least that's what I think based upon my own experiences.

[RadioRaheem84]

Lately I've been trying a lot of more natural stuff like I take this probiotic blend of turmeric, ginger and hibiscus. It's super concentrated and supposed to give off a euphoric feeling and act as a natural anti-depressant. It's good stuff. I do probably abuse caffeine sometimes as I can drink like five cups of strong Japanese green tea in one day.

I also second want Vox say, even when I am trying new things I always make sure to know my limit and I control the "high" never letting myself fully get immersed.

[Art Vandelay]

I'm actually incredibly intelligent and I've had serious problems with heroin and alcohol for years. As well as sporadic problems with methamphetamine, PCP, ketamine and other sedatives/tranquilizers. My guess would be, in terms of real drugs, "smart," folks have this hubristic notion that they could perhaps control the drug, it's about dosage and frequency of use, they are smart enough to quit before true addiction sets in, their addiction is manageable, harmless and that everyone is addicted to something or any number of rationalizations. At least that's what I think based upon my own experiences.

I'd say there is definitely a tendency among intelligent drug users towards the rationale that a drug can be played with, controlled, etc..and I think there is some merit to the idea. Have you ever read (I can't remember what book exactly) where Burroughs puts forth the idea that since he was consistently using and kicking heroin throughout his life, his cells were dying out and rejuvenating at a more rapid rate. He concluded that he might actually be healthier, due to his addiction; I mean the man was addicted to opiates his entire life and lived to be 83. I'm not saying I agree with his line of thinking per say, but it is interesting and I think too often when drug use is discussed (especially heroin, cocaine), the responses tend to be extremely moralistic and not really reflective of alot of differing personal anecdotes.