Drugs

What do drugs do? The broad definition is: A substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. (Thanks, Google) So pretty much, we use drugs to manipulate our bodies or minds into a state of our choosing. It could refer to addictive substances, or to medicines, or...books? Music?

Books and music, for me, have calming effects. Especially with books, you can say I'm addicted. They take my mind off things, fill my mind with the events in the book and releasing stress. I can use the stories to get away from life for a while. Sometimes, they can induce dreams. If I really get into it, I tend to be unfocused and distracted, my mind more on the book than on what's in front of me. Sound like any hallucinogenic mushrooms you know? Music can induce different emotions for me, although with these I have to trick my mind, almost. If I'm upset, I'm in no mood for something happy. I have to work up to it, and that can calm me down. I tend to listen to lyrics a lot, though, and if the song empathizes too much with what I'm feeling, it can make it worse. On the other hand, if I'm trying to focus on math (especially math, but anything that doesn't involve the language part of my brain) I'll listen to something that I can sing along to. I can't read and sing at the same time, so that effectively acts as an antidote to the books.

During high school, I made sure I had art and music in my day. That was a rest period, as stress-relieving as meditation, perhaps.

Almost everything that enters the human body will alter the state of the body, somewhat. Even if it's not ingested. Although, there is a "drug" that almost every student will use. Coffee. Of all the mind-altering substances, this one should come with a warning label: do not feed to hyperactive teenagers. (Read: Anna) It doesn't work very well on me. Apples work better at waking me up.

It's good to know how to manipulate your body for the best effect, I suppose. Foods all have different effects, aside from adding calories. Knowing what makes you feel full sans calories (bananas), what makes you happy (cocoa), and what relieves stress (papayas) is always a good thing. You want your body to work with you, not against. Give it a shot.