Thoughts on A Substance-Free Lifestyle

[Hollow]

Thanks Mayhem
I didn't choose straight edge to purposefully stand out or be different, so I'm glad you have noticed the positive aspects of my lifestyle without me needing to paint them out clearly

[cashed]

Great discussion! Seems the older I've gotten the less I drink. I choose not to drink much anymore. Maybe get buzzed and stop. I just don't feel the need to get smashed and hung the next morning. Pretty much hit me when I was murdered on grappa. Since I'm fairly cheap with my earnings, I can easily go without, because of that mindset. Which is tied in with peer pressure and "consumption".

[Smurftyours]

A clean mind and clean body are great moral and physical values to have. I'm not fucking kidding, I just wrote a eight page term paper (with citations that is) on Edgar Allan Poe's lifestyle and addictions. Your tempting me to upload it, just ask me and I can.

[IMUS]

I don't think there is such a thing as consuming alcohol sensibly, the whole point of the drink is to make you loosen up your hold on your senses. I know some enjoy the flavor, but it isn't like there aren't lots of other drinks that you wouldn't enjoy that don't bring about such effects. Guess that's why drinking responsibly never really made sense to me. There are definitely benefits, but they just don't outweigh the trouble for me.

[davidc538]

I'm very much against the whole straightedge scene, for me pot is like steroids for the brain.

[Smurftyours]

Exact double post? Maybe something went wrong when he posted in less he did it on purpose.

[Jangalomph]

I'm very much against the whole straightedge scene, for me pot is like steroids for the brain.

Interesting thought. Why against?

[Terr]

When so much of the youth today is all about getting high or drunk it is not an easy task to be straight edge. In fact that is not a term I have heard since the 80's growing up in New York.

There was an interesting conversation about this on Reddit, with a seeming consensus (from pot-smokers, anyway) that most people who go out of their way to deliberately describe themselves as "straight-edge" are more often identity-seekers trying to fit into a "holier than thou" clique.

Not saying it's true or not, just pointing out that that specific label seems to have grown some baggage.

[Hellraz0r]

I'm more of a marijuana smoker than a drinker, but that's all I'll have, I won't turn into a methhead or anything. Although I love getting high and smoke marijuana recreationally, I mainly smoke it to prevent my migraines and irritable bowel syndrome, plus the usual stress relief and other medicinal purposes that it's known for. It's a shame how some drugs are shunned, when really they're not as bad as the government make them out to be.

The war on drugs is a complete failure, and marijuana WILL be legal within the next 15 years in most western societies etc. Basically I smoke and drink whenever I want as long as it doesn't stop me from finishing my work and keeping on top of things, which it doesn't.

Marijuana is one of the safest drugs known to man, and even alcohol and caffeine is worse, but especially tobacco. Marijuana doesn't cause lung cancer, it doesn't kill braincells, it's impossible to be physically addicted (one cannot gain a physical dependence, only psychological but that's just like porn, food, games, you've just got to practice moderation) it doesn't actually do much in the long run contrary to popular belief with all the propaganda bullshit that's been fed since prohibition begun in the early 1930s. Those who are treating marijuana like heroine and cocaine (and calling those who smoke marijuana daily "junkies") need to do their research and perhaps consider watching the documentary "The Union: The business behind getting high." You will be amazed how bullshit the whole marijuana prohibition is and how relatively safe marijuana itself is.

Anyway back to the post, I for one feel that those who are "straight-edge" are fine and can continue living their lives how they want, however they must learn to not discriminate those who prefer to have a joint at the end of the day etc. Smoking marijuana, drinking a beer or two, that's me - as long as I keep productive and make sure whatever I need to get done, gets done - which it does So I'm fine, happy and living my life doing what I want.

[TicTac]

i approve of this ^^^

[ramble]
I've never had a problem with alcohol, and I've never had an urge to drink myself drunk. The taste and bite are fine without headaches and vomiting haha. As for pot, I used to frown (read: Scowl) upon the chronic smokers. Over the summer I cared less and less, seeing as most of my friends smoke and maintain good grades, are great to talk to and hang out with, etc. Only smoked once, and only got a buzz but hell, that's a leap for me. Plus, I have no problem justifying pot. Would I start smoking cigs? lolno, I like my lungs sans-tar, thanks. There's no pay-off for someone who isn't addicted to nicotine. Marijuana on the other hand, has obvious pay-offs
[/ramble]

[EDIT]

I know some enjoy the flavor, but it isn't like there aren't lots of other drinks that you wouldn't enjoy

Wine is tasty. Beer is meh. Mudslides are VERY tasty I enjoy the flavor and the bite, no interest in drinking buckets of the stuff

[zombie@computer]

Marijuana is one of the safest drugs known to man, and even alcohol and caffeine is worse, but especially tobacco. Marijuana doesn't cause lung cancer, it doesn't kill braincells, it's impossible to be physically addicted (one cannot gain a physical dependence, only psychological but that's just like porn, food, games, you've just got to practice moderation) it doesn't actually do much in the long run contrary to popular belief with all the propaganda bullshit that's been fed since prohibition begun in the early 1930s. Those who are treating marijuana like heroine and cocaine (and calling those who smoke marijuana daily "junkies") need to do their research and perhaps consider watching the documentary "The Union: The business behind getting high." You will be amazed how bullshit the whole marijuana prohibition is and how relatively safe marijuana itself is.

The long term effects of marijuana are unclear, they arent non-existant. Some studies find links to increased incidence of lung cancer, stroke and various (chronic) psychological disorders. Allthough it is probably one of the safest drugs out there, it isnt totally healthy like you post seems to imply.

I'm against public use of marijuana simply because of the sheer stench. Most bigger Dutch trainstations smell faintly of marijuana and it reeks. I find it reeks even more than 'just' normal sigarettes, which i'd also ban for the exact same reason.

[Saxon]

Srsly? I think wine tastes disgusting Wine tasting is pretty revolting (seeing people spitting stuff out is hardly something you can call refined).
Beer depends on the brewer and type for flavour, but for me Port is the nicest of all alcoholic drinks.

TBH I'm glad I've never taken drugs or smoked, your physical health is basically screwed if you do. I used to drink much more when I was younger, but after some headsplitting hangovers I don't drink anywhere near as much. For me there is nothing worse than a hangover.

Marijuana is one of the safest drugs known to man, and even alcohol and caffeine is worse, but especially tobacco. Marijuana doesn't cause lung cancer, it doesn't kill braincells, it's impossible to be physically addicted (one cannot gain a physical dependence, only psychological but that's just like porn, food, games, you've just got to practice moderation)

I love how potheads spout this sort of thing as if it were true. I did a temp job in a mental health clinic, and most the people they dealt with were potheads who had developed schizophrenia. It might not kill braincells, but it certainly doesn't improve your brain chemistry.

I'm against public use of marijuana simply because of the sheer stench. Most bigger Dutch trainstations smell faintly of marijuana and it reeks. I find it reeks even more than 'just' normal sigarettes, which i'd also ban for the exact same reason.

Sounds bad I hate smell of pot, it smells like burning dogshit.

[Hellraz0r]

Marijuana is one of the safest drugs known to man, and even alcohol and caffeine is worse, but especially tobacco. Marijuana doesn't cause lung cancer, it doesn't kill braincells, it's impossible to be physically addicted (one cannot gain a physical dependence, only psychological but that's just like porn, food, games, you've just got to practice moderation)

I love how potheads spout this sort of thing as if it were true. I did a temp job in a mental health clinic, and most the people they dealt with were potheads who had developed schizophrenia. It might not kill braincells, but it certainly doesn't improve your brain chemistry.

I love it how people believe in marijuana being the cause for schizophrenia. Marijuana consumption has increased dramatically in the last 30 odd years, and yet rates of schizophrenia haven't? I wonder why.. it's because this whole "Marijuana causes schizophrenia" is just a 21st century version of 'reefer madness' propaganda. Schizophrenia is something you're born with, you cannot develop it. If you have the genetics for schizophrenia (your family has a history etc), then smoking marijuana can speed up the process, but if you were going to get it you were going to get it - marijuana doesn't CAUSE someone who doesn't have the genetics for schizophrenia to suddenly develop it.

Also, zombie - I'd like to see some of these studies you are mentioning, I hope you checked your sources and did you research to find out how they performed such tests.. you'd be surprised how much bullshit articles there are.

[Saxon]

this whole "Marijuana causes schizophrenia" is just a 21st century version of 'reefer madness' propaganda. Schizophrenia is something you're born with, you cannot develop it.

There are genetic causes, but most cases of schizophrenia are brought on by environmental causes (stress or drug abuse).
Saying that "pot doesn't cause schizophrenia" is up there with "smoking doesn't cause cancer".

Also lol, "saying pot causes schizophrenia is propaganda" gets bandied about so much it might as well be considered propaganda

[zombie@computer]

- marijuana doesn't CAUSE someone who doesn't have the genetics for schizophrenia to suddenly develop it.

Also, zombie - I'd like to see some of these studies you are mentioning, I hope you checked your sources and did you research to find out how they performed such tests.. you'd be surprised how much bullshit articles there are.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term ... 0marijuana

have fun. Surely you are not THAT biased that all studies that find anything where you think there isn't anything are rubbish? thats a very distorted view of how science works... Oh, and after six years of studying medecine im sure i know a little about how these things work.

@saxon: the relation you make between schizophrenia and marijuana use is likely reversed; with schizophrenia you are more likely to become addicted to practically anything; including alcohol, drugs and marijuana...