When you're drunk, you feel creative. And when you're high on drugs, the world looks like a beautiful place. But does this really mean that intoxicating substances will help you become more creative?
Well, no… but it also doesn't mean that they won't either! The truth is that there's no clear answer to this question because there are so many different factors involved.
For example, some people find that the anxiety caused by being sober makes them feel less creative than when they're under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Others find that their creativity is enhanced by taking these substances because it helps them feel more relaxed about trying new things and get out of their comfort zone (which can be hard for people with anxiety).
It's also important to remember that being completely intoxicated has nothing to do with creativity.
Alcohol can make you think you're more creative
Several studies have been completed more recently on whether alcohol influences creativity.
One such study took 40 drinkers and gave half of them alcohol and the other half non-alcoholic beverages. They were all of them assigned creative tasks. The individuals that did not consume alcohol rated their work as far more creative simply from thinking they have consumed alcohol compared to those that did.
Drugs and Alcohol did not make Jim Morrison more creative
Jim Morrison was a talented musician and songwriter, but he did not need drugs or alcohol to be creative. He was also a poet and a writer, which is what he wanted to do in his career.
He started writing poetry and lyrics around the age of 15, when he was in high school.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in 1970 about his stage persona, Jim said "I'm not arrogant when I'm drinking."
He had the ability to create music on his own, without any influence from drugs or alcohol. He tried using his creativity to cope with traumatic events and depression. His creativity was supported by his group rather than his drug habits.
Like many other musicians and stars, while it isn’t completely clear that the drugs and alcohol had nothing to do with their creative success, it most definitely had something to do with their premature deaths.
How intoxicating substances remove anxieties in a negative way
When we think about the creative process, it's easy to assume that a glass of wine and some good music will be our gateway to inspiration. Alcohol reduces our ability to focus on some things and simultaneously ignore others. This effect does benefit creative problem-solving.
Psychologist Jennifer Wiley and her colleagues found that becoming intoxicated did feel less pressure to succeed and therefore succeeded faster. The increased working memory can hinder creative thinking but there are other ways to tackle this impressive brain power.
The downside? Alcohol can also make people less productive in their work because they're distracted by their own happiness or relaxation—not necessarily by what they're able to accomplish with their craft. It's all too common for people who are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs to feel as though they've accomplished something great when they’ve just wasted valuable time doing nothing useful. Not to mention the disastrous effects that drugs and alcohol can have on your life!
Intoxication does not increase your creativity
In the end, what we can conclude from all this is that intoxication does not increase your creativity. It may make you think that you're more creative, but once again, as with any drug or alcohol, it's important to remember that they're only temporary fixes. They are not a long-term solution to any problem and should be avoided whenever possible in favor of sobriety and following a healthy lifestyle.
The creativity is already there for you to tap into, you just need to find a better way to access it without depending on drugs or alcohol. If this is something you’re struggling with check out a Los Angeles drug rehab near you today and get help.
The importance of being sober and following a healthy lifestyle
Creativity is a skill that can be learned. It does not depend on drugs or alcohol. Creativity is not magical, and it doesn't just happen to people who have been born with it. You can be creative without drugs or alcohol, and you don't need to be drunk or high to have good ideas for things like writing stories, painting pictures, making music, and more.
One of the most obvious benefits of sobriety is better mental health, an instant boost to creativity when your mind isn’t plagued by other thought patterns.
There are several physical and mental benefits to sobriety:
- Increased health
- Better focus, critical thinking, memory
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Health risks decrease significantly
- Weight management and eating habits improve
Emotional Benefits:
- More confidence
- Emotional stability
- Better mental well-being
- Better relationships
- Increased motivation
- Less depression
- Less anxiety
Being creative has nothing to do with taking drugs or being addicted to alcohol.
There is a common misconception that creativity is related to intoxication and/or drug use. This is not the case. Creativity has nothing to do with intoxication or drugs. In fact, it can be argued that people who are intoxicated are not actually as creative as they think they are.
The fact of the matter is that creativity is a function of your mind and not your body. It doesn’t matter what you drink or smoke, if you want to become more creative then all you need to do is learn how to access your imagination and use it in practical ways!
Conclusion
So, does intoxication help you be more creative? Yes and no. It may make you think that you're more creative, but when it comes down to it, that's not true. Drugs and alcohol also don't create more art or music than anyone else because they can remove your anxieties which is a negative way of looking at creativity. You don’t need drugs and alcohol to be more creative. You’ll find that you can achieve that all on your own. Fix the underlying issues and get help today.
