Drugs and Creativity

There is definitely a belief by many people that there is  a correlation between drugs and creativity.  Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan were known to have been regular users of drugs such as Marijuana and LSD.  Drugs change the way things are perceived and one's thought process, so it would make sense that they would help the creative process.  While it seems like drugs would help creativity, there really has not been any evidence that this is so in studies.  There also have not been many studies conducted on the impact that drugs have on the creative process, so one really can't come to an absolute conclusion on the subject.  It seems to me personally that there would be some kind of correlation- for example The Beatles' Yellow Submarine was inspired by an acid trip, and it does not seem that any one in a normal state of mind could produce such a work.  It is also reported that Jimi Hendrix put a small cut on his forehead and placed a hit of acid on it and placed his lucky headband over it before his shows.  It is hard to deny that Jimi Hendrix is a creative genius and it seems like his unique style may have something to do with his drug use.  I am not suggesting that any of my opinions are facts or have research to back them up, they are merely my opinions.  I do however think that more research should be done concerning this, before scientists come to conclusions about the correlation between drugs and creativity.  I believe that this has not occurred because if there is a correlation found between the two, it may encourage drug use among creative peoples or those who wish to be creative.

Here is a clip from The Beatles' Yellow Submarine