Drug Use Among Physics Majors: Trends & Implications

[Gza]

Just wondering, what; if any are the drugs of choice of PFers. I have found most of the physics majors at my school to be stoners, I was wondering if that trend was everywhere. I myself smoke mostly on the weekends, or when I watch movies. I also drink pretty heavily on fridays./saturdays.

 

[cragwolf]

Haven't touched the stuff, worried about health effects. I tend to get highs from my hobbies (including, sometimes, physics). Whatever works for you, though. Just do it in moderation.

 

[Gokul43201]

I get high on intellectual interaction...and my college days are way in the past !

 

[The Bob]

I don't get high.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Hurkyl]

Frankly, I can't understand how anyone would want to touch any sort of drug with a ten foot pole, and that includes alcohol.

 

[quantumdude]

Frankly, I can't understand how anyone would want to touch any sort of drug with a ten foot pole, and that includes alcohol.

Me either. They're much harder to get at from 10 feet away.

 

[Tatum]

Me either. They're much harder to get at from 10 feet away.

Unless the ten foot pole is a pipe

 

[Gza]

Frankly, I can't understand how anyone would want to touch any sort of drug with a ten foot pole, and that includes alcohol.

Ever been to a party without alcohol or drugs? Pretty boring in my opinion. But then again I am a twenty year old guy going to one of the top party schools.

 

[Gza]

Unless the ten foot pole is a pipe

 

[check]

Yeah, drugs are dumb... But I like alcohol so I guess I'm dumb.

 

[Gza]

But I like alcohol so I guess I'm dumb.

Along with 80% of Americans.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

coffee, yep, coffee's my drug, no doubt about, coffee is definitely my drug, it wakes me up, it gets me through the day, it help me think, it tastes good, coffee is definitely my drug, it give me so much energy, I don't know how I could get along without it, yep, no doubt about it, coffee is my drug, coffee, yep, coffee's my drug, no doubt about, coffee is definitely my drug, it wakes me up, it gets me through the day, it help me think, it tastes good, coffee is definitely my drug, it give me so much energy, I don't know how I could get along without it, yep, no doubt about it, coffee is my drug. The best part is that it has no negative physical or mental effects.

 

[pace]

LoL

Music is my drug. I guess I have to sing then. *LAAAAAAAAAAALALALALAAA*

 

[Gokul43201]

coffee, yep, coffee's my drug,..., yep, no doubt about it, coffee is my drug. The best part is that it has no negative physical or mental effects.

That's just too much like Rainman ! Perhaps there's a correlation between caffeine and autism ?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

That's just too much like Rainman ! Perhaps there's a correlation between caffeine and autism ?

I did slip into Rainman didn't I!

 

[i_wish_i_was_smart]

ALCOHOL WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO, half the time I'm on here I'm drunk, I'm keeping my Canadian and engineering pride flyin high hehe

a little weed here and there arent bad either

 

[Loren Booda]

Notice how this thread consists primarily of one-liners. Maybe that reflects the lack of concentration associated with recreational drugs.

If you feel you have a need for a drug, I suggest you first consult a competent psychiatrist to consider appropriate pharmaceuticals before committing yourself to a substance crutch.

I would guess that the vast majority of those that have taken street drugs mature out of them, become dependent on them to cope with life, or "self-medicate" an underlying mental illness.

 

[JasonRox]

I can live without them.

I would love to get high on an intellectual conversation, but that is beyond my reach since most people lack the ability to think.

Because of this, I believe I am at the wrong school and should consider a school that encourages people to think.

 

[plover]

While I also prefer intellectual to chemical stimulation (except maybe if you count chocolate), I always liked this description by ethno-botanist Wade Davis of his experience of some South American rain forest plant he tried (all in the name of science I'm sure ):

"It was like being fired out of cannon lined with baroque paintings into a sea of molten electricity."​

 

[Loren Booda]

plover,

Maybe you should stick to the chocolate!

 

[Moonbear]

For me, it's both coffee and chocolate!

Um, and yes, I've been to parties without any alcohol and had a great time! I've never understood why people need to drink to be social. If you're so embarrassed to do something in front of other people without the alcohol, why would you drink alcohol so you would do it? And if it's okay to be seen acting a certain way (such as, gasp, dancing) if you're drunk, then why can't you do it sober? A few of my friends have parents or other close relatives who are recovering alcoholics, so chose to have their wedding receptions without alcohol. A lot of people started out with the whole bit of, "I can't start dancing until I've had a few drinks." Yeah, sure, right. Just get out on the dance floor and dance if you enjoy dancing! I do enjoy alcohol, but never enjoy getting drunk (it has happened, no doubt about it, but I don't like feeling drunk, and definitely don't like the hangover). I've never tried any other drugs and have stayed clear of others using them as well. I just don't have any reason to want to even try it.

 

[theCandyman]

My drug of choice is caffine, great stuff, especially in chocolate and Dr.Pepper.

As for smoking, my grandfather died of lung cancer from doing it. It was a slow painful death, about half a year I think, one of those on the hospital. So I shy away from it, I even try to avoid secondary smoke.

 

[Zantra]

While I also prefer intellectual to chemical stimulation (except maybe if you count chocolate), I always liked this description by ethno-botanist Wade Davis of his experience of some South American rain forest plant he tried (all in the name of science I'm sure ):

"It was like being fired out of cannon lined with baroque paintings into a sea of molten electricity."​

And where exactly did he find this plant?...purely for scientific purposes, of course;A)

 

[pace]

Notice how this thread consists primarily of one-liners. Maybe that reflects the lack of concentration associated with recreational drugs.

Why do people always think I'm on drugs



Oh wait, I eat multi-vitamins

 

[plover]

And where exactly did he find this plant?...purely for scientific purposes, of course;A)

I'm not sure he mentioned that.

Somewhere I have a transcript of a talk he gave that was apparently a preliminary version of one of his essays, and that's where the quote is from, but I have no idea what random stash of papers it might have ended up in. Unfortunately, the line seems to be missing from the published version of the essay: "The Forests of Amazonia" in Shadows in the Sun.

There are other essays in the book that do deal more directly with his studies of the botanic knowledge of South American shamans. "Plants of the Gods" contains a description of his experience participating in a ritual centered around the hallucinogen ayahuasca.

 

[Gokul43201]

Just curious, since we're talking about getting high : who here thinks Lewis Caroll (Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) was high when he wrote Alice in Wonderland. And when I say high, I'm talking about a chemical (shrooms ??) induced high.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Nah. Both Alice books are secretly very logical, and not at all free and easy. Besides, just about the only enhancers available to him would have been opium and hashish, neither of which seems to fit the case.

 

[jimmy p]

My drug of choice... Hmmm, I drink a hell of a lot of red bull so that is taurine and caffeine.

Im drink alcohol about every night, not getting wasted but still drinking. Mixing cheap wine, smirnoff and san miguel is fun though!

The only time I got high, I got told that it was the best german I had ever spoken

I'm trying to cut down on my nicotine intake.

 

[Bad_Boy_Blue]

Cannabis is only unhealthy if you don't smoke it with a vaporiser. You can make one with a light bulb. This allows you to heat the weed to a temperature lower than is required for the plant material to combust. As a result, the cannabinoids vaporise, preventing you from having to inhale the toxic constituents (or particulates) present in smoke.

For the people who don't understand why people do drugs, are you stupid? Drugs are pleasureable and they can enhance social situations. For people (I don't count, as I'm a complete junkie), they can be safe and a lot of fun in moderation. Believe me, there are people who can control themselves.

Many people are under the impression that drugs will fry your brain etc. It's all bull****.

Go to www.bluelight.nu for the truth.

 

[Bad_Boy_Blue]

Just curious, since we're talking about getting high : who here thinks Lewis Caroll (Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) was high when he wrote Alice in Wonderland. And when I say high, I'm talking about a chemical (shrooms ??) induced high.

It was Opium mate.

 

[Loren Booda]

How about Alfred Lord Tennyson and "Kubla Khan"? Was he addicted to opium? Kubla Khan is one of the greatest poems ever, imo. Who the heck interrupted his "dream"?

 

[Moonbear]

How about Alfred Lord Tennyson and "Kubla Khan"? Was he addicted to opium? Kubla Khan is one of the greatest poems ever, imo. Who the heck interrupted his "dream"?

You know, the closest I've ever gotten to experiencing a drug-induced high has been reading poetry. I have little appreciation for poetry, because much of what people call "good" poetry, especially free verse, sounds like psychotic ramblings to me. I've never really looked into the drug abuse history of poets (certainly I'm aware of a whole genre of depressed poets), but that sure would explain a lot about poetry to me. Once poetry loses recognizable pattern and structure, I have no interest in it at all (I always just attributed it to being too analytical...meter, patterns, symmetry of rhyme always seemed the analytical side of poetry that appealed to me).

Edit: I should add that actually, I have experienced being high without taking drugs. I once sprained my ankle very badly, and within moments, the rapid release of endogenous opioids flooded my system...I felt no pain, and actually wished I did because I felt so disconnected and spacey, and even nauseous, I was almost grateful when the throbbing started and I could think straight again. I have no desire to ever feel that way again!

 

[Kerrie]

Just curious, since we're talking about getting high : who here thinks Lewis Caroll (Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) was high when he wrote Alice in Wonderland. And when I say high, I'm talking about a chemical (shrooms ??) induced high.

this kind of statement really urks me...have you ever done any studying as to who Charles L Dodson was?? he was a brilliant mathematician who desired to show children logic! his most famous books were a political satire of british politics. those posters and stickers that portray the catapillar on the shroom smoking a water pipe does this outstanding author no good.

 

[Gokul43201]

I have little appreciation for poetry, because much of what people call "good" poetry, especially free verse, sounds like psychotic ramblings to me.

Poetry with meter and rhyme can only be clever, but (almost) never beautiful.

 

[Kerrie]

Just wondering, what; if any are the drugs of choice of PFers. I have found most of the physics majors at my school to be stoners, I was wondering if that trend was everywhere. I myself smoke mostly on the weekends, or when I watch movies. I also drink pretty heavily on fridays./saturdays.

my favorite "high" is utilizing my creativity. althouh i stand up for the legalization of cannabis strongly, i don't endorse it in a forum where there are many students here sincerely looking to learn something. solely depending on any drug for recreation is misusing it automatically, alcohol included.

 

[Moonbear]

this kind of statement really urks me...have you ever done any studying as to who Charles L Dodson was?? he was a brilliant mathematician who desired to show children logic! his most famous books were a political satire of british politics. those posters and stickers that portray the catapillar on the shroom smoking a water pipe does this outstanding author no good.

I have to agree about that. My reading of Alice in Wonderland is of a story filled with lessons about morals and decision-making. Perhaps it is even a warning that today's society could use about not seeking quick fixes for their problems (this pill will make me taller...but how much taller, and what else might it do?).

 

[Gokul43201]

this kind of statement really urks me...have you ever done any studying as to who Charles L Dodson was?? he was a brilliant mathematician who desired to show children logic! his most famous books were a political satire of british politics. those posters and stickers that portray the catapillar on the shroom smoking a water pipe does this outstanding author no good.

And this kind of statement irks me...or should I say"urks" ? Nevermind, I see that the U neighbors the I.

Being a bit of a "history of math and science" junkie, I do believe I know a little about Dodgson. In fact, I've read a couple of chapters from his "Treatise on Determinants" (which I could only find in microfiche format, in my library - and reading microfiche can give you a serious crick in the neck). I'm also aware of the rumors surrounding the supposed request by Queen Victoria (after she read Alice) for his other books, upon which she was sent his other mathematical works. And I call them 'rumors' because Dodgson himself denied them in a later book titled Symbolic Logic. Besides that, I'm aware that he was a satirist and caricaturist...and probable other things too.

So, yes, I'm aware that he was a mathematician (and lecturer of mathematics at some college). However, I wouldn't proclaim him a "brilliant mathematician" because I know of no new contributions that are attributed to him. Even his most renowned mathematical piece "Euclid and his Modern Rivals", only reviews and compares the works of other mathematicians, but never proposes anything new.

Now, the reason I brought this (the question of whether he used drugs) up was because I know a lot of folks who, being ill-versed in base representations other than decimal, read the part with Alice doing multiplication and think it's just wacko, but some (that are themselves drug users - like bad boy blue) have claimed that Dodgson was under the influence while he was writing.

I never claim to share this opinion myself, nor do I disavow it. I'm just curious if there's any kernel of truth to it. And I'm curious if this opinion is shared mostly by drug users.

 

[Kerrie]

if you were so aware of charles dodson was gokul, why did you even make a drug reference to him then?

 

[Loren Booda]

Moonbear,

I too, got an endorphin rush from a sprained ankle. I was able to get home and into bed thanks to the numbing.

Poets have the highest rate of bipolar disorder and suicide for any profession.

 

[selfAdjoint]

How about Alfred Lord Tennyson and "Kubla Khan"? Was he addicted to opium? Kubla Khan is one of the greatest poems ever, imo. Who the heck interrupted his "dream"?

That was Coleridge. Tennyson lived a generation and a half later.

 

[Gokul43201]

if you were so aware of charles dodson was gokul, why did you even make a drug reference to him then?

What ?? I won't claim to be "so aware"...I just know a little bit from things I've read here and there. Nor did I make a "drug reference to him" - I was merely asking a question.

It seems to me, from your previous post, that perhaps there is an ongoing joke about Dodgson and drugs. I was aware of no such thing, until now.

As I said, before, I was only trying to establish if there was any truth to the story. I didn't know that this was some kind of well-known rumor that has been debunked. If you say that there is no truth to it, I'll accept that.

 

[Moonbear]

Moonbear,

I too, got an endorphin rush from a sprained ankle. I was able to get home and into bed thanks to the numbing.

That makes you smarter than me. I used the endorphin rush to keep running around on the farm finishing up what I was doing when I sprained it, which meant making it worse in the process. I was actually feeling so loopy, I didn't feel competent to drive myself home, though being my right foot, should have done so before it started hurting.

Poets have the highest rate of bipolar disorder and suicide for any profession.

I'm not sure if this is true. Isn't there a thread around somewhere on that topic? I can't recall the outcome of the discussion or if it was definitely on PF or if it was another forum I visit.

 

[cragwolf]

this kind of statement really urks me...have you ever done any studying as to who Charles L Dodson was?? he was a brilliant mathematician who desired to show children logic!

And then photograph them in the nude. Repressed pedophile or not? I don't think it matters as long as he kept it repressed. He remains a fine author. Just like Heidegger, a Nazi, remains a fine philosopher. Sorry to sidetrack.

 

[Kerrie]

And then photograph them in the nude. Repressed pedophile or not? I don't think it matters as long as he kept it repressed. He remains a fine author. Just like Heidegger, a Nazi, remains a fine philosopher. Sorry to sidetrack.

I know he was a fine photographer, but nude pictures? Can you provide any proof? Also, you can't necessarily use today's society standards to judge him. What if in that time nude photographs were acceptable? Anyhow, let's not get this off topic. I was merely stating that there is no link between Charles Dodgson and drug use.

 

[dekoi]

How bad are cigars?

You don't inhale them (apart from a couple of mistaken times). And if you wash your mouth, you can't possibly get any infections inside your mouth or on your lips. How often does one have to smoke cigars to have an impact?


I drink alchohol occasionaly. I see what is wrong about getting drunk, but sometimes i can't resist it. Moderate drinking (or moderate heavy drinking) is OK in my pov. As long as you can learn to control yourself. :)

 

[Hurkyl]

Is it OK in your pov because it's what you do, or do you have an objective rationale?

 

[cragwolf]

I know he was a fine photographer, but nude pictures? Can you provide any proof?

It's pretty common knowledge. There are 4 nude photographs still in existence. You will find them in one of these two books (I forget which):





Many other nude photographs were destroyed when he died (I believe this was his wish). You can read some articles on the subject http://www.ahcca.unimelb.edu.au/screenscape/alice.htm.

Also, you can't necessarily use today's society standards to judge him. What if in that time nude photographs were acceptable?

I'm not judging him. I don't have enough information to judge him.

 

[Bad_Boy_Blue]

I don't understand why people would like to see cannabis legalised, but not any other drug. This completely irrational.

All drugs should be legal IMO. Prohibition causes far more damage than the drugs themselves. Also, these damn prohibitionists should stop spreading lies (it only creates distrust amongst the general public), for example with ecstacy, it does not create holes in your brain or drain your spinal fluid!

 

[decibel]

I don't understand why people would like to see cannabis legalised, but not any other drug. This completely irrational.
All drugs should be legal IMO.

Your taking it a little too far there, there is a big difference between smoking cannabis and doing cocaine, or other drugs. All drugs should be legal?, you must be nuts, i support cannabis but NEVER any other drug such as heroin extacy, cocaine, or anything of that nature.

 

[Shahil]

I don't understand why people would like to see cannabis legalised, but not any other drug. This completely irrational.

All drugs should be legal IMO. Prohibition causes far more damage than the drugs themselves. Also, these damn prohibitionists should stop spreading lies (it only creates distrust amongst the general public), for example with ecstacy, it does not create holes in your brain or drain your spinal fluid!

Dude - there is a BEEEG differenc ebetween weed and other "hard" drugs. I know guys who smaoke weed everyday but have NEVER EVER touched anything harder because they know about what everything else can do to u!

Anyway, after reading the posts here, I've been dumbstruck! how the hell do you get "high" on poetry?? Hell, I've read some literary pieces in my life which have astounded me but, hell, it's nothing like the high you get from being drunk or stoned.

My experiences - well, I haven't done any hard drugs. I live in Durban so if I ain't a smoker, something is wrong esp. since the best weed comes from here (Durban Poison). It is a relaxant and I know a lot of guys esp. engineeing students, who smoke regularly (ie. once every one or two weeks). I do know people who smoke more often but I'll tell you their fate after exams
It is illegal here but all you need to know is who to get it from and where to smoke. If you do it discreetly, nobody minds.

Also, when I was in school - we were doing experiments for inorganic chemistry. I just finished doing the experiment but there was like 10min till the class ended. Soooo...my friend and I did some arbitrary mixing...Needless to say, because of the fumes, the English paper I wrote in the next period was the moste interesting test I've ever wrote (parlty coz the words were moving in funky directions!) Quite nice...