STUDY TASK 3 – PLANNING & STRUCTURING AN ESSAY Suggested Research Question. This can be a topic or theme, but please try to be as precise as possible. Themes Psychoactive substances and creativity: • 1960’s hippie movement/culture and its impact on laws ever since – “Say No to Drugs” campaign • Laws in place - stifled progression vs now - slow change in laws after seeing the benefits • Taboo & censorship vs personal experience, medical truths, exploration and progression • Creativity and addiction – shamanic rituals and medical trials • Medical conditions aided & affected: PTSD, addiction, dementia, cancer, depression, anxiety, etc • Pharmaceutical companies vs patient need/well being and metal/medical positive progression • Artists/artistic movements influenced by psychoactive substances • How psychedelic art is viewed in todays culture – common misconceptions influenced by taboo? Possible questions Has society been told the truth about psychoactive substances and how have these substances influenced our current creative culture? Psychedelic art – What is classed as psychedelic art, how is it viewed upon/what is its standing and how have psychoactive substances influenced today’s creative culture? How have psychoactive substances influenced the creative culture we know today? “Say No to Drugs” – What is the place for psychoactive substances within society today and how have these substances influenced our current creative culture? Or “Say No to Drugs” - Is there a place for psychoactive substances within modern society and how have these substances influenced our current creative culture? **************** Notes: “A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.” http://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/psychoactive_drug.htm Psychoactive substance groups: • • • • •
Anxiolytics: Benzodiazepine Euphoriants: MDMA Stimulants: Amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, nicotine Depressants (inc. sedatives, hypnotics, narcotics): Alcohol, opioids Hallucinogens: Psilocybin, LSD. Salvia divinorum, nitrous oxide
Psychoactive substances include: • • • • • • • • • • • •
LSD DMT Mescaline Psilocybin Salvia divinorum Cocaine Ecstasy Amphetamines Opiates Cannabis - cannabinoids Caffeine Nicotine