The influence of ecstasy on some of the greatest minds of our time remains shrouded in mystery. Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) is a recreational drug that has experienced a surge in popularity over the last few decades. While most people use the drug as a mind-altering Party Party enhancer, some believe it can also lead to creative enlightenment. Could there be a connection between genius and ecstasy? Let’s explore.
The most famous proponent of this theory is the author and psychologist Aleister Crowley. He believed that two doses of the drug taken over a two-week period could “open up the mind” to ‘illumination’ and ‘enlightenment’. Many believe this to be the spark which helped Ludwig van Beethoven write his 9th symphony.
In the 1960s and 70s, ecstasy was more readily available than it is today and was used by musicians, scientists and other geniuses as a way to access deeper states of consciousness. Steve Jobs, John Lennon, and novelist Aldous Huxley all used the drug to achieve peak creative states.
The great minds of the past century using ecstasy to access a different level of consciousness and creativity isn’t the only evidence that a connection between genius and ecstasy exists. Neuroscientists and researchers have sought to better understand the drug’s influence on creativity.
One notable study was conducted by Dr. Robert Strassman. He studied the effects of Ecstasy on creativity and found that the use of the drug had a “profound effect,” causing significant alterations in the brain that had the potential to entrenched in a person’s creative mindset. While the results of the study were inconclusive due to the small sample size, they do provide some insight into the drug’s effects on genius.
Other studies have shown that people who often use ecstasy can gain access to higher levels of creativity and general intelligence. While the exact mechanism for this phenomenon is still unknown, it is likely due to the drug’s ability to allow the user to become more open to abstract thinking and to reach a “it means detachment from primary interactions”.
So, what is the verdict? While there is not enough data to make any conclusive claims about ecstasy’s effect on genius, it is clear that its users have gained access to creative potentials that can’t be explained by the traditional definition of genius. Ultimately, the influence of ecstasy on creativity and genius remains an area of mystery. For those who wish to explore its potential, it is important to use caution and be mindful of the safety risks associated with the drug.