Let's see how long I stand on this soap box. I feel a ton of words coming. Different drugs have different effects.

Alcohol: The first part of the brain that alcohol puts to sleep is that part that helps us form our judgment. You know, some people think they drive better with a few drinks in them. Well, drinkers are not good judges. Eventually, enough alcohol puts your motor skills to sleep, a little at a time. Two favorites of mine, John Prine and Warren Zevon had a drinking problem in my judgment (I think Warren admits to it, I've never heard John speak about it). I believe they both are recovering. I don't see any loss in creativity. Alcohol is hard on the vocal cords.

Marijuana: Again a drug that quickly affects judgment. Putting judgment to sleep may, at first, free us up to try things we would not have tried before (like chatting up a certain woman), because we have less fear. Smoking, in general, is hard on the throat and the lungs.

LSD: Timothy Leary says you will have insights you would not have had before. That may be. Of course, you might have insights that aren't worth a dime. A rather risky drug as well.

Heroin: There goes the old judgment center again. Too much puts you to sleep. Regular use usually leads to addiction and any benefits there might be go down the tubes.

Cocaine: May make you feel bright and charming and creative, but your sober peers may feel you are just "off the wall." Another drug with high risk for addiction.

So, a little drug might boost your creativity because you are suspending judgment and you try new things. Unfortunately, while under the influence you can't determine which new things are good and which new things are bad.

Try meditation. It yields insight with fewer risks.

Roger in Baltimore (yeah, that damn Addiction Counselor. Jeez, what a wet blanket!)