Is there a relationship between drugs and creativity?

The use and abuse of drugs and psychoactive substances has traditionally been related to the ability to create and innovate, to the point that a large number of celebrities from the world of art, music and even science have linked their achievements and creations to the consumption of drugs.

However, the scientific evidence surrounding this association is not so clear, and the question of if drugs really make us more creative.

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Brain activity, creativity and drug use

Drugs and narcotics are a series of substances consumed with the intention of altering the state of encouragement, experience alternative sensations and in some cases try to enhance physical performance and mental. Nevertheless its side effects on the body can be extremely harmful and dangerous.

It is necessary to specify that this article is not intended to encourage or support drug use. Rather, we will try to shed some light on the myths and beliefs related to drug use and the development of creativity.

For this, it is necessary to know what direct effects drugs have on our brain functioning and thus being able to discern if they really facilitate creative processes or, on the contrary, inhibit them and hinder.

At a general level, narcotics or drugs, both legal and illegal, cause a series of changes in the body. Its action on the biochemical reactions of the brain stimulate or inhibit neuronal functioning, which has numerous effects both physically and psychologically.

In the case of cannabis, this tends to act on metabolic processes that regulate mood and pain, among many others. On the other hand, cocaine is known to significantly increase dopamine levels in the body, generating large amounts of energy but also being highly addictive.

Refering to heroin, this causes a sensation and experience of ecstasy in the person highly associated with feelings of extreme happiness, but its effects on respiratory function can be lethal.

Boost creativity with substances? Let's refine

In short, regardless of the type of substance of abuse that is consumed, it is going to change the way in which our brain. Now, science must establish if these changes occur directly on brain processes related to creativity or if it is a secondary or collateral effect of the pleasant sensations and ecstasy that they cause.

Whatever the conclusion, the side effects of these can be so disastrous, and even deadly, that it is necessary to stop and think if it is really worth taking the risk.

What do the studies say?

Contrary to what is stated in some artistic contexts, according to which the consumption of drugs and narcotics considerably increases people's creativity, a study carried out at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest by the expert in addiction psychology Zsolt Demetrovics, this association is not so simple, considering that there are still shades. The objective of this research was to demonstrate whether the claim that drugs promote creativity was just a myth or if, on the contrary, there is empirical evidence that supports it.

Demetrovics and his collaborators carried out a systematic review of the articles related to this matter, as a result of which they discovered that there were only 14 empirical studies and 5 case studies that attempted to answer the relationship between drugs and creativity. This is a very small number in relation to the importance of the topic.

Another added problem is that most of the empirical research reviewed had methodological problems. such as too small participant samples, standardized assessment instruments, and data self-reported. After carrying out an exhaustive review of these articles, it was found that there was a very general association between creativity and substance use. But none of them could provide any kind of substantive proof that drug use directly increased creativity. Therefore, the conclusion that Demetrovics came to was that there really is no direct link between these two factors.

On the other hand, it was perceived a trend that associated people with high creativity with drug use, and high creative capacity may be a risk factor for drug use, and not the other way around. In addition, it was also shown that drugs had the ability to substantially alter a person's artistic approach, but not for that reason increase their creative output.

Finally, Demetrovics participated in a qualitative study with a sample of 72 people who were professionally engaged in the world of art. Most of these participants revealed that the use of substances such as alcohol and cannabis helped them balance the intense emotional states of the creative process, thus facilitating the emergence of new ideas and creativity.

However, despite the testimonies of the participants, it was not possible to specify or establish a direct relationship of causation between drug use and increased creative abilities, leaving the answer still in air.

Science, art and drug use

There are many cases and stories that link great celebrities from the world of art, music, literature and even science with the drug use, reaching the point that the artists themselves have publicly declared that they facilitated and enhanced the process creative.

1. Drugs and music: the case of Jim Morrison

It is well known that a large number of artists and composers turn to drug use to find inspiration, as well as to increase their performance on stage. Although there are dozens of cases, Jim Morrison's is one of the best known, both for his talent and for his unfortunate ending.

The Doors vocalist went through numerous depressive and traumatic episodes that he tried to overcome through his musical creations and drug use. Surely, Jim Morrison's immense talent was independent of drug use, but he clung to them for inspiration and as a means to regain strength.

However, drug addiction was increasingly wearing down his creative capacity, as well as his physical condition, causing his death at just 27 years of age.

2. Aldous Huxley and inspiration through LSD

The prolific writer, author of great works such as A Happy World (1932) or La isla (1962), who came to try his luck with painting and even with parapsychology; came to attribute to the use of LSD the potential of his creativity. However, he himself warned of the dangers of their consumption, as well as the dependency that they can cause.

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3. Science, technology and drugs

There are many other stories about the drug-using bias of a host of famous inventors, scientists, and tech geniuses. One of them is the famous inventor Thomas Alva Edison, known for consuming a substance known as "cocaine elixir" which contained this substance combined with wine.

Another example is that of the well-known computer magnate Steve Jobs, who acknowledged having consumed LSD on some occasions with the aim of enhancing his creativity and expanding the limits of your mind.