Redpoppy, i find it really interesting that you made that link to music. In my view, 'those' types of music also tend to be loved most by people who take drugs - gabba, hardcore, grindcore, metal etc. Not that ALL peoplle who listen to it take drugs of course. That raises a few questions for me-
Is it the drugs that make the music more appealing?
Is it the music that make drugs more appealing?
Are people who do both just more open minded to those genres of music?
Then the link to people getting mental illnesses because of the music - could they be predisposed to it and that's why those types of music and drugs tend to have a higher number of listeners and takers that get diagnosed?
I realise there a few generalisations there and it is technically on topic but this is just from my experience and feel it would be important to know this before making any real decisions about the legality of recreational drugs.
Well I think in the case of certain types of music, like some hardcore dance, the vast majority of people who listen and enjoy would probably be using MDMA. Have you ever been in a club where you're like, "you guys are REAAAALLY enjoying this THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD and although I like you're enthusiams I'm going to have to go to another room".
BUT I know far too many metal heads who have never touched anything beyond alcohol and even that not too much. Also, it depends on the music and the drug and the individuals i suppose.
I would dare to suggest that perhaps creative progressive music (including certain genres of hard dance etc.) are appreciated by everyone BUT I think the type of people who are OPEN to listening and learning about music which is beyond your churned out everyday, not very creative pop music and like to investigate music which is more leftfield, a bit more experimental, which tries to do new things or try sounds and vibes which are not "normal" are also the type of people who are open to questioning most things in life, who want to learn and understand things, the reasons why behind issues and hence are also the types of people more INCLINED to do drugs, at least ones which after investigation are known not to have many negatives associated with them at all.
I also know people (parents of drug users) who were VERY anti drug including (but not only) a retired policeman who would have broken my friend's neck had he found out he had used any illegal substance at one point but since that friend is now a grown adult in his 30s and he explained that he did recreationally and occasionally smoke pot but that his dad should consider that some his favourite music (top of the list being the rolling stones) may never have been created had it not been for drug use.
Musicians and artists have been jamming and creating to drugs for millennia. Some people do not value art or music but most of those who do would be horrified to think we may have put away picasso for opium use or in fact Rumi (the poet) for alcohol use or any number of talented individuals who were not off the rails.
And although I realise music is an issue of taste, it's also an issue of TALENT. People who play instruments or write lyrics or sing with emotion are not all equal. Jimi Hendrix IS a better guitar player than Richie Sambora. That does not mean than you have to like Jimi better AT ALL as that would make no sense but some people are better musicians and more expressive vocalists. Mariah Carey is a technically one of the bests singers of her generation but I never get more than three emotions from her tops. Can you imagine if she sang the blues with a voice like that? Or expressed anger? She just showcases her vocals but with no love of using her voice to express things with emotion.
Not to say all great musicians or vocalists were using drugs. I don't know but I think Nina Simone never was using drugs or alcohol and WOW that woman could sing. Both technically and way way beyond.
when i was younger it was just a naughty kid (not right) but now the kids who are just naughty gey diagnosed ADHD. In my view things like that are really overdiagnosed and kids are put on ritalin (also used recreationally i believe) when behavioural therapy could do the trick.
