Drugs, Creativity, Obsession & Mental Health | Anthony Bourdain, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith +

[@easkateman]

as an addict, who always wanted to be an artist, writer, singer, and journalist (lmao) - I often wondered why, I had these spouts of creativity. Then I find myself on a speed binge, 3 months in, liquor, pills, countless social interactions with peers from high spots in society to low spots in society, just to have a moment of inspiration like. "That's it. That's the perspective. That's the angle. That's the point. There's the reason." "Is there any reason to any of this?" Drugs have always been a solace in my life, while also being the problem. Poverty, lack of opportunity, social issues in my community, and a big gap in misunderstanding. Artists often skim these fine lines of society, as the addict seems to. Thank you for your videos.

[@rosanna5515]

Light and serenity to you🌻💥

[@CHRISTIAAN_444]

When I was on "that", I thought that's when I created my best art. Now, years later, I realize I was just aggrandizing the idea of the tortured artist and didn't create anything at all.

[@John-fc4th]

You created nothing? Or you just didn't like what you created?

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@John-fc4th No kidding, why didn't the guy finish his thoughts?

[@riffraffrichard]

A lot of performers are surprisingly introverted and they end up using drugs to cope with the attention they wanted but didn’t know how to recieve. Ultimately they just enjoyed playing and making music but there’s a whole host of other things that come with being successful.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

You could have a good point. Successful artists can get stalked and assaulted a lot. People love to consume product, but when that product is art then a lot of people feel entitled to stalk and violate the artist for some reason.

[@SJ-ni6iy]

Performers are doing their shows in a party atmosphere and when the show is over, they are still euphoric. I can’t imagine being at a party every night and not participating,

[@mariecait]

Or they looked for God in fame and only found themselves which has to be depressing

[@bigcheese2128]

@@devilsoffspring5519as a rather introverted artist who’s thus far had a very small modicum of local recognition, I will say for me personally and probably for many others, it’s not necessarily the idea of imminent danger from eyes on you that’s so scary, it’s more just the horror of being known by people who you don’t know and realizing that you can’t hide yourself away from the world and people are going to know some part of you via your art and you have no say in what perception they take away from it. It’s kind of an existential anxiety moreso than a practical fear for your safety. Edit: this can also translate into a real fear for your safety depending on factors such as your gender (women are far more likely to be attacked than men,) or if you’re considered controversial or just very famous in general. The most loved person is also the most hated which can translate into real danger sometimes.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@bigcheese2128 I'm a guy but not a big one. I grew up loving playing instruments and writing songs, something I did profusely even before Kindergarten age. I made good music that people loved. I have long ago lost track of the number of times that I have been VERY severely assaulted and injured because of it, even by full-grown adults, when I was a little kid. Absolute true story. Frank Zappa was right, people love their entertainment but they sure as all fuck hate artists. No idea why, after my 48 years all I can conclude is that a hell of a lot of people are just losers.

[@artistabynight]

drugs are like a double edged sword for artists, the creativity and vulnerability flows in but the chase for it can and may coincide with dependency.

[@Fuphyter]

I've always thought incredibly creative people are extremely sensitive. Being open and looking inward and out. I think the sensitivity makes it difficult to contend with difficult issues. Being numb sometimes feels better. Not the best to use drugs, but I understand it.

[@contrarianaquarian]

Hey this is a really cool video dude. Glad you took the risk and made this. It's refreshing to see such vulnerability and discussion on sensitive subjects.

[@korneliusoderso]

Please read Gabor Maté's book "the myth of normal". It really helps to understand the concepts of sensitivity, addiction and trauma fully. Definitely a life changing book

[@raveholly]

his compassion and kindess for addicts is like no other. just knowing he exists in the world feels healing

[@JuliosStudio]

Thanks. Glad it’s a real book and not a bot recommendation 😂💯

[@korneliusoderso]

@@JuliosStudio haha maybe im a bot tho? jokes aside, cant describe how much that book helped myself. id recommend everyone to read it

[@timothyconner4169]

Word. Gabor Maté.

[@LisaSmith-yb2uz]

I agree ❤(i love all of his work and his wisdom)

[@Channel.1061]

I got into making music shortly before I got into drugs. I think drugs are honestly a very helpful tool for creativity and inspiration, but what makes them not a "cheat code" is that it can also be very difficult to be productive on them. And the most inspiring thing you will experience will often be in a state where you're too messed up document it, let alone to really record it/paint it or whatever.

[@stevendoust6658]

Creative expression flows when high and then fades as the effects wear off ! Although creative expression already exists inside

[@ComradeTrotsky1017]

Ironically, my misinterpretation of the Velvet's "Heroin" got me into the idea of taking it. Then addiction, where I didn't feel like a rock star, and the songs I created were mundane and incredibly repetitive. Being sober now (well, I'm on suboxone, but still) has led to my best songs. My best lyrics. I will say that there is something attractive about the artists we adore having struggled with addiction. I think we consciously or subconsciously equate that with great writing. Adversity is attractive from a literary stand-point, because how can someone that grew up with a Stock Trader dad and a Doctor mother have struggled in any way? In many ways, those that did struggle wrote the great songs we remember. I'm not sure the Velvet Underground or Lou Reed's solo work in the '70s could have existed without Methamphetamine (or amphetamines in general) or possibly even heroin. Who knows.

[@saraivatoledo1842]

Reminds me having locked myself in some posh pizzeria ´s toilet with half a gram of gear ,two rigs and a mate ...I started moaning in a shallow way about the absurdity of us being in that situation ... -this is when my older friend went on a pretty interesting tirade regarding the attraction between the human condition and the decadence of having a hefty quantity of gear running through your body while all blacked out in some dingy restaurant´s toilet. Never forgot that, obviously. The beauty of/in absolute decadence/squalor. Rest assured Heroin is a great tool to show you just how romantic your demise can be.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

I'm sure creative people would create shit even if any kind of 'drugs' had never been invented. It might have been different but they would have done it anyway. Not all artists/creative types are wasted all the time either :)

[@ComradeTrotsky1017]

@@devilsoffspring5519 Yes, I don't disagree. My post, however, was about artists that have struggled with addiction. This hypothetical argument about drugs not being invented is irrelevant - because the music that I'm referring to is actually real, and actually inspired by drugs. I do get what you're saying though, and "sober" artists exist that I like. Frank Zappa, Angus Young, Randy Bachmann etc

[@saraivatoledo1842]

@@devilsoffspring5519 Not at all. Drug addiction is glorified in the entertainment industry. When I indulge in any type of entertainment seldom do I fail to see these pro drug ads all over the place. Pretty funny actually.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@saraivatoledo1842 It's not so much that lots of songs are pro-drug, maybe just the artist describing their experiences with drugs (or somebody else's) and not necessarily encouraging it. I wrote music profusely in my life and certainly had plenty of drug songs! And I'm somebody that rarely if ever went near "real" drugs. Just beers and some weed. But when you hear other people's songs all the time and get ideas for writing your own, that's something that happens all the time because I was always writing tons of songs growing up. So, I sometimes wrote about drugs. I wrote songs about war too and I've never been in the Armed Forces

[@jamesshepard4743]

Drugs can promote creativity initially , but often becomes the muse , and follows the downward trajectory.

[@jenniferc218]

Such a good point! From catalyst to muse...and we all know that angst can be a huge catalyst to creativity. Dulling the angst can dull the coping w creativity.

[@nedthestaffieegan3452]

Good job with this, just the right length too. Obviously it's different for everyone, but I can relate to the myriad challenges that often accompany the creative process. Feeling the impulse, inspiration or initial idea to 'create' is only a tiny part of the overall process. Finding a system or flow to regulate the various stages, how much time and energy is necessary for each stage, how far do you take an idea before knowing when it is enough and move onto something else, when do you follow your instincts and scrap an idea thats not going anywhere (even if you have spent a long time on it). The worst thing for me is being disciplined about random lightbulb moments, when an idea or insight is so profound, its intoxicating and I feel an overwhelming need to channel the energy that is like a volcano erupting. In my head or heart I can feel, see, and sense what it means and what could be, but there is a panic almost in case I forget. If I can't exercise restraint, i can get lost in a flurry of frenetic activity, in a desperate bid to capture what is bubbling inside. This feeling can be excruciating, as it is so intense. Even writing about it evokes this discomfort in my body, its like a bottleneck of explosive energy or pressure that needs to be released. When you throw in multiple forms of creative expression, where you don't have much control over whatever ideas are demanding attention, its far from easy to maintain the necessary discipline, restraint and time management. Otherwise, you end up carrying a build up of creative energy that's impossible to channel in a satisfying way. You can never relax properly, switch off and be content with what you have done. Theres always something emerging, building, nearing completion, an endless cycle of birth, growth, but no death. Theres no in-between. Its all or nothing. If you are famous or your work is scrutinised, critiqued, dissected, judged, rejected, I'd imagine all of this is magnified by a million. I have addictive inclinations and obsessive tendencies, so drugs would be a very bad idea for me. But I totally understand the relief they might offer.

[@user-vu6ke]

Hi! I really love how expressive and explanatory you were with this. I'm guessing you're also a writer. I think for me, the part you mentioned about feeling an uncontrollable need to follow on new ideas is the most relatable part, and in my experience of using weed, it takes away the idea of being disciplined completely. Your workflow becomes completely based on feeling the urge to, which is also suppressed by weed because it reduces your sense of urgency. You seem very self-aware and intelligent, personally I feel you're making the right choice by not indulging, my only suggestion is that you don't shame yourself for ever being curious. You are a creative after all, haha! Beautfiul comment ❤

[@HGZMO]

It’s a give and take game for the artist and the art. It’s a mix of both the type of art and the energy that comes and goes. Creating art is a step in survival,necessity, and self expression of the human and the reflections. Some of the uppers can help inspiration and output ( not necessarily for the betterment of the production results). After a few years the creative output and inspiration is lost and can cause wasted time and distractions in procrastination. Other things are more consistent and better at greasing the imagination.

[@astralbeast8177]

As horrible as it sounds, these people needed to go through what they went through to create such incredible art. They sacrificed their lives for their art… awful and tragic but….. the art was worth it.

[@catalystcomet]

Thanks!

[@adlerdills756]

What a great video. To close it on A season of Hell says a lot too. It’s hard for me not to see myself in these people, but maybe that’s just because they’re people.

[@bobongler]

Really excellent insights on a tough subject. Thank you for taking the time to make and share.

[@Dannytentoes]

ive replaced drugs with overwork i had a real bad xanax issue and after awhile the pills where getting pressed with fent, but i quit pills in 2018 and occasionally smoke weed

[@raveholly]

congrats. i know how bad benzo addiction can get. i had a seizure when i went cold turkey. so happy its not apart of my life anymore

[@Dannytentoes]

@raveholly congratulations more too life

[@dannymusic9046]

Fair play! Keep up the good work

[@Ben-ef5vf]

Congrats man! That's a huge accomplishment!

[@devilsoffspring5519]

In all fairness, you're better off in life being addicted to working rather than being addicted to drugs :)

[@lisgelfling1031]

Thank you for this video. I've been connecting the dots and threading the loose ends together for some time, between artists and substance abuse. With reading "Touched with Fire," by Kay Redfield Jameson, about Poet Lord Byron and substance use and creativity. I myself and my younger brother are diagnosed Bipolar type 1 and we are creatives: he's a graphic artist and tattoo artist and I'm a filmmaker. Common overlaps in artists are backgrounds of child abuse, heightened sensitivity, not accepted in nuclear or extended family or town, a feeling of not fitting in, or thinking too ahead of the present traditions. So we self-medicate the angst with substance abuse or self-neglect , resulting in poor health, mental and physical. Soon after, friendships dissolve and any ties to family. It's a glamorous life until it becomes isolating and alienating. The tenacious and lucky ones leave their art behind. Take care of yourselves everyone xoxo

[@Sim-q9t]

artists become egotistical and delusional on drugs. U risk dependency if u see results on drugs and then u can't enjoy the work without drugs, because you thought you were on the highest level but u have to get there by hard work...

[@jaimebanks8377]

Depends on which drugs and how you use them. Amphetamines definitely have a tendency to elicit grandiosity in many, including me, even at "therapeutic" doses. Cannibinoids used in edible or tincture form can benefit one's physical and mental health. They often enhance my creativity. I wrote some of my best work while drunk. But I don't recommend regular consumption of alcohol to anyone. It's a literal poison unless it's used only occasionally in small doses. Also, psychedelics are finally being recognized for their potential, numerous therapeutic applications. Caffeine, nicotine, and many pharmaceuticals are psychoactive drugs...they're just the ones currently accepted by mainstream society.

[@Sim-q9t]

also things u learn when high are recalled when high, so if u are sober it becomes difficult to recall the things you learn when high. If u do it all the time. It depends what it is. But yeah people say if you enjoy the things you do don't do them at work or else you will just end up forced to do them in order to work and then it's no longer being done for fun and that's one of the common ways people end up with drug addictions they can't curb.

[@words4dyslexicon]

i get what you're saying, but conversely, I've heard that if you do what you love, then, whatever it is, it won't be 'just work'..🤷🏼

[@shoeshane6494]

Not actually true. Pure myth

[@SuiteVII]

I love this style of video 🙌🏾

[@Heavilymoderated]

I have always been a sensitive person, but one who kept the wounds to myself, save expression through fiction writing. Was married for 7 years when I was pretty young, and during that time my writing had some of the unintentionally self revealing traits that a young writers stuff might have, and my wife at the time knew how to gig me on it when she was angry with me. My drinking increased during those years, until it mostly replaced the writing. I began to feel like the shortcomings were inherent, rather than merely something to overcome. Over a decade later, the bottle is out of my life and the pen is back in. It’s still hard to finish anything because of the subconscious trepidation at exposing anything beyond surface level to anyone else.

[@bhn7731]

We're in a world of modifiers. We continually tweek how much of each, watching for effects.

[@vincentrockel1149]

Performing in a small venue in which you can interact with the audience is an event. Performing in a large venue to tens of thousands is a sterile, thankless grind of a job. That's the problem with fame. It's like that favorite vacation site from your youth. Once everyone else finds out about it, it starts to suck as a place to be.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

Keep in mind though that if a successful artist ever had to quit and just start working for a living at a normal job for the rest of his life, he knows full well that he would probably kill himself.

[@Barrrt]

I don't know if the video mentions it but Robin Williams had a brain condition when he died. I don't remember the specifics but I read about it and it made me feel less bad about him killing himself. It was a personality altering disease. Anthony Bourdain had Body Lewy dementia. I think these are important things to mention. When someone loved by so many takes their life it is good to know that a disease that took away a part of who they are was ravaging them, and that their suicide might not have been decided by the person we loved but rather by a person suffering from an illness we didn't know about. Oh, I just googled what Robin Williams had and it was Body Lewy Dementia as well. I see this disease as the true killer.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Same can be said about major depressive disorder and anxiety combined. Almost impossible as the years roll by.

[@Barrrt]

@@marsoblivi0n945 Although I have no right or personal experience to speak of these issues I do think there is a difference between a physical disease that ravages the brain and a psychological disease that ravages other things. There are cures for depression and anxiety, but there aren't for dementia (that I know of). I still believe that the things you mention can be treated, although results of course vary, whereas something like Body Lewis is a death sentence. I'm particularly skeptic of treating anxiety as if it's some kind of deathsentence because I do have experience with that one and know that whatever horrible outcomes you assign to it are self fulfilling prophecies in the sense that it gets worse if you let it influence your life. It's very stressful to be swayed too much by stress. I recovered through ACT therapy. Not saying it's easy or for everyone, especially when combined with depression, but I do want to stress that it can be done and that the conclusion of it being something horrible and incurable plays right into the harmful narrative that anxiety gives us. Sorry for the lecture but I'm passionate about this one as I see a lot of people with mental health issues create their own narrative that is self-destructive - I was one of them.

[@s7nseer]

I’d assume as I suffer from many morbidly painful and chronic mental illnesses that the suicidal ideation was always there but the personality wouldn’t ever let that happen. But when you have a mixed personality episode or mixed bipolar episode or anything as severe or otherwise mixed with a slipping mental state with something like dementia or schizophrenia or anything EXTREME, in combination with this subconsciously brewing cessation cesspool you’ve carried your whole life and maybe relapse a bit one night… i don’t imagine jts very hard to say fuck it in a way you’ve never let yourself before. I hope these souls rest in peace and pick up where they left off in their karmic cylce. This shit ain’t fuckin easy

[@Barrrt]

@@s7nseer Agreed. And these geniusses often have something extreme, IMO, which is also a part of why they are so good, succesful and attention seeking. Just saw Dead Poets Society and I'll forever love Robin Williams, and Anthony has quickly found a place in my heart as well (I didn't know him before recently)

[@matthewmaguire3554]

@@Barrrt A dolphin jumps out of the sea...the sea culture produces dolphins...A bear walks out of the woods...the woods culture produces bears....A human walks out of the culture anxious and depressed....The culture produces anxious and depressed humans.

[@memezastera]

Good ad choice. I downloaded it immediately when u showed it before you even explained more

[@thewhiterabbituk]

your thoughts expressed at the beginning are very fair and relevant.

[@wuwei6316]

I like the way it was presented and I don't know exactly whar's the make of it, I cannot tell if it's the format or the way this was arranged or conceptualized don"t have a word for it. In any case, it leaves a subtle yet profound effect that really struck a chorrd inside. keep it up man and thank you for sharing...

[@mozarkslezeystreet6310]

lose, feel, create. then attempt to heal.

[@mkechandler5776]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@understanding77]

I’m on suboxone, I got clean off heroin and meth but it’s like I’ve traded one addiction for a legal and supervised addiction. It’s definitely made it harder on my creative process, cause I’m constantly afraid of how I’m going to feel once I’ve tapered off of it and living life without any substance keeping me from those feelings of withdrawal

[@Jasonmakesvideo]

Same. . but I don't think they actually ever plan on tapering off completely with the subs/methadon treatments. Thanks pharmaceutical industry😂😂😂

[@jamesadamgleason9471]

Its up to the individual not the doctor ​@Jasonmakesvideo

[@Nik.No.K]

Life is way better off of suboxone trust me. It just takes away so much feeling from life. I’m very glad I didn’t stay on it long term after H. I’m not perfect and now am still addicted to kratom but it’s way better than subs or H.

[@Nik.No.K]

@@Jasonmakesvideothey did for me. My sub doctor was pretty strict about the taper and it took about a year to get off of it

[@nikkishaye1111]

You will be WAYyyyy more creative off of it. TRUST ME 😉

[@TonyCastillo666]

Thank you for making this video👏

[@hunterholistichealth]

Amy was a tortured soul. I was young when she died but even then I knew she was a legend. As an adult I understand her better.

[@lildirtnap1198]

almost a year sober next month and im seeing i was a little more eccentric when i was getting banged up but i never got anything creatively done because sedatives dont motivate you whatsoever i tried but my ocd never let me enjoy anything i tried to create oh well

[@lazeaylo.2718]

I know you know this just to give you some strength of wisdom keep going I really and like most appreciate you for doing this 💯🙏🏽🔥👏❤️

[@vincentrockel1149]

Sounds create the link that binds us to each other and everything. Without sounds (words)we are disconnected observers.

[@alexzaarabellalightrider1111]

Drugs...no drugs... maybe they just create different KINDS of expressions of creativity... and it's all creativity.

[@blxndinesevideos]

really great video ❤️ thank u

[@ousmanecamara3596]

Thank you

[@ghostqueen2082]

Creatives' sword of Damocles drugs

[@dwlz_nyc]

goated page

[@AGregBergThing]

Lou reed patti Smith did their best work when they were high on dope. Just like the stones

[@winkstar9265]

Everyone is a expert on everyone else's problems. Just more app's to get addicted too.

[@papertiger9845]

It’s about sobriety, not mental health. Those companies not sponsoring should be ashamed of them selves

[@SWADEGODSON76]

Mental health is about sobriety, or being of a sober mind, you can still get high and keep a sober mind. Quality nutrition, pure medicine, proper therapy. Over all well being physically spiritually emotionally

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@SWADEGODSON76 Don't forget economically, which is the big problem that people have when they get into really heavy drugs.

[@matthewmaguire3554]

What a lot of recovery programs state...Getting sober so you can see the patterns you wanted to escape from...Drives many away that all those years of running away and you are right back where you started with your mangled blueprint...Might have seen cracks in the blueprint when you were hight and may have seemed like Satori.

[@22filming]

Would you consider weed in the same category as “drugs” though? It’s obviously A drug- but would it have a notable effect on your work / art as it would when off it ?

[@csl614]

depends on the artist

[@postrock12]

Yes, but sometimes it depends on the person. Some can smoke & make stuff but Some other people, weed eventually makes them unmotivated,memory sucks,harder to focus,less sharp mind,more numb,don’t get as much done. Also some artists smoke occasionally & other people smoke everyday. Too much & it can eventually get in the way.

[@postrock12]

Some Drugs can help you see & think outside the box in the beginning but a sharp mind is always better than a stoned one. & lots of people lie to themselves about that.

[@words4dyslexicon]

post rock, bink outside the thox..

[@22filming]

@@postrock12 you’re right - people do lie to themselves about it. I’ve been smoking weed a lot recently and I really have felt as if it’s been helping with my creative input and output - but I’m also self aware enough to know that shouldn’t be ideal and yes- people do lie to themselves about it. I think I’ll just take a break and see how it works out .

[@dennissvensson658]

What does zoolander have to do with it?

[@ilovehana222]

Chin up soldiers

[@ThePartyboy1331]

Nah, you're right 👍

[@Tehrawrzorz]

Why isn’t your hat on all the way

[@wesleyduckett1982]

Now do art and child abuse/child trafficking connection

[@psychedelicsurfer]

I don’t think that’s connected to art so much as it is to power

[@giulatesta4283]

When I was using, the thing that turned me was seeing a video of me nodding off. No puede ser. Nuh-uh! As a lou Reed fan. He's one of my favorite bad musicians. There's a pretentiousness about some of it that are an absolute scream. The song: I wanna boogie with you is hilarious to me. Just an pathetically sleazy tune.

[@chinmoyboruah8016]

High

[@JohnnyCurry]

Vultures

[@cherrybomb2600]

Bob Dylan was on amphetamines.

[@jaklair]

⚡⚡⚡

[@JK..INFX.D....]

Drugs Er Baid, OK.

[@winkstar9265]

The interview's just are always look to the negatives in these peoples lives. Pretty lame. That's the entertainment world. So KZbin is a extension of the old world. Continue the cycle of trauma into the new world.

[@karlschaetti2934]

Keep your snout in the public trough.

[@markorendas1423]

Its hip to be hip yu kno. Im so hip it hurts....howard fine

[@dusandragovic09srb]

Acid, Shrooms = Infinite World (not a limited globe🌐), N🏞E🏞W🏞S🏞 Mind = Nature (World) = Computer = space =Darkness (Black Screen) Mind expanding experience.

[@gorillafunk725]

Everyone has a different take. My creativity is no longer enhanced or in any way boosted by psychoactive "enhancement". When I controlled the drugs. Back in the day. My creativity was enhanced @ that time. BUT.... When the drugs start controlling you. Everything went to $#!t. Its a tightrope. And few can walk it without falling.