Perhaps it's because I was very involved in theatre at a young age, but I feel I can manufacture that kind of affection endogenously quite reliably, what stops me from doing so more is a host of complex counterfactors. It's these counterfactors that I feel substances like these suppressed.
But are they really feeling their “own real emotions”? Or are the drugs sedating / uplifting their emotions unnaturally to make them more “normal”. Maybe I’m focusing on the word “real” too much, but I think one could legitimately state that while under the influence of medication, your emotions might not be natural/real to who you are.
There is no such thing as owned real emotions.
I wanted to emphasise that even if you experience something that feels profound in an altered state, you should still reflect on it and examine it when sober, and only then you can truly learn something useful.
I think it's very important for those experiences to be examined while sober, just like experiences lived under any other kind of altered state, even "natural" ones - say while extremely angry.
As SuoDuanDao said in his response, I think there's a question of "barriers" going down while under MDMA. Sure, there are things you do under its influence that you wouldn't have done sober. Maybe things that you would never have done. But isn't that the point? It allows you to try things you wouldn't have tried otherwise and see the effects. Of course, sober reflexion is required. But this allows you to have a different perspective on what is possible.
Something I see often mentioned in discussions around MDMA is its effects on social anxiety. Some people find it difficult to be open. I for one am fairly taciturn, don't talk much. For such people seeing what is possible may allow them to rethink why they do or don't do certain things in their day to day lives and maybe adapt their actions.
I would genuinely like to read your arguments. Or somebody else's arguments about this.
Only if you believe emotions have no meaning.
An emotional response is a valid one, even if it does not help your startup. Not all human affairs are about profit maximisation. Reason is not the best tool in your toolbox to use if you want to fall in love. mdma probably is.
MDMA may cause you to experience a something and it might feel profound, but only through sober reflection on that experience are you able to learn anything.
Don't get me wrong, I think these substances are worth trying out. I just wouldn't want to fall in love through a drug, it would not feel genuine.
Things said while under the influence of any drug mean nothing? Everything you say is stripped of meaning? Hmm, alright. You know that sleep deprivation produces an intoxicated state that is, by many measures, nearly identical to drunkenness? Hope you never said anything important without your full 9 hours! Ever said anything important under a state of stress? While angry? Depressed?
I know HN loves the idea that everything is a binary black and white, but reality couldn't be further from that. Sure, if your friend is experimenting with ketamine and claims that you're a time traveling dragon and he must eliminate you, you should probably get a second sober opinion. But stuff like MDMA? Especially for safe doses (which is the only way people should consume MDMA in my opinion) you're not someone else, you're just you, but more empathetic and loving.
Not to mention that love is the opposite of a rational decision for many people. I'm sure people in SF find optimized partners to save on rent and DINK their way up the capitalist ladder, but in the rest of the world love is often the opposite of rational. Imagine falling in love as a poor girl with no access to birth control: near suicide for your future. Heck, I'm an educated white male in a first world country and I 'threw away' a year of my life chasing love and it was awesome and hell yeah I'd do it again today. If I tossed it into a spreadsheet I'd never have done it.
So yes, drugs are intoxicating. But so are a shit ton of other things. Life is life: you do things when you're angry, tired, horny, happy, drunk, and hell yes, it all means something!
It's so hurtful to hear strong emotions that don't last.
However, all substances are ultimately out there for people to try to enjoy responsibly, in the right company. As long as you understand that what you say and do under the influence isn't necessarily genuine you should be able to relax enough and let your guard down to enjoy it. Again, the company you're in matters a lot, as well as the fact that you're not excused from your actions if not sober.
It's like when watching porn, you realise that's not how real sex looks like. If you did, you would acquire some very unhealthy preconceptions. But one can still enjoy it responsibly.
Anyway, with normal use, MDMA is amazing at the time, and if you remember the things you felt and the intensity of them it can be a great memory. Fucking great for music, too.
It's a great drug, highly recommended, but ONLY if you can use it in a safe and sane and responsible manner.
As sooon as you start messing with your brain chemistry, everything you say is being stripped of meaning as it becomes more driven by emotions and less by reason. At some point it's like trying to interpret dreams - there might be some emotional content there, but its not applicable in the real world more than just a cause for reflection (which is good) to find some true insights.