What is the difference between a drug and medicine? \ stacker news ~alter

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What is the difference between a drug and medicine?

504 sats \ 22 comments \ @DesertDave 26 Nov alter_native

When should a drug be considered medicine? Do you trust the drugs prescribed by a doctor to be medicine, when used as directed? Should we consider all substances illegal to be harmful drugs? What about alcohol?

I believe that psychedelics can be very powerful medicine when consumed with a belief of such with a good intention. And just about anything else we consume for that matter. Sometimes medicine is about numbing pain. But for me, the best medicine is something that actually helps us heal and transform. I don't personally have much faith in western medicine. It seems to aim to keep us numb and sick.

What do you think?

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152 sats \ 4 replies \ @zapsammy 26 Nov

i think many have no idea what the words mean anymore and throw them around randomly, without clarifying that the definition is.

definitions can vary. to define means to make more clear. in fact, i can make up the definition at the top of the post and that shall be the way to interpret the word in the rest of the document.

from etymology dictionary, these stood out for me:

[Latin medicina "the healing art, medicine; a remedy,"]
[drogge (early 14c. in Anglo-French), "any substance used in the composition or preparation of medicines"]

in one situation the dry magic mushrooms are a drug used to make medicine for the suffering man. in another, a recreational drug. it is whatever u want the drug to be. even cyanide can be used as medicine in specific preparations.

finally, if someone is stopping me from ingesting a substance, apparently that's a claim that i do not own my body in that scenario. as long as this doesn't harm anyone else, it is an absolute right.

65 sats \ 0 replies \ @bief57 27 Nov

I agree, even in Colombia pharmacies are called "Droguerías" (drugstore). I agree that if a person wants to consume any substance, they are free to do so as long as it does not lead them to a mental state in which they could harm another person, but if we base this statement on it, then alcohol should be banned again.

54 sats \ 2 replies \ @DesertDave OP 26 Nov

I definitely agree. I think it's interesting to consider how we all interpret words we use all the time. And I think our intention with any substance is super important to how it interacts with our body.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @zapsammy 26 Nov

right, the intention is everything! ))) coming from a place of love & care, coupled with adequate knowledge, one cannot do wrong.

32 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 26 Nov

I agree. I learned my lesson with drugs and intention. I shared the trip report in #607554 (shameless plug).

99 sats \ 1 reply \ @fm 27 Nov

There is no rule, But lot of recreational drugs are the best medicine sometimes. We couldn’t imagine an operation without opioids. Not even the dentist.. codeine on cough syrup is there for a reason, works like a charm. Cocaine is an amazing medicine for local operations and as an SSRI.. ketamine works fine to disconnect brain from body.. apparently meth works somehow on adhd. We call it ritaline or adderall..

So, the difference from a drug to a medicine is probably how you use it..

Great medicines are great drugs in some cases.

Psychedelics are indeed a medicine for the mind/soul.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 27 Nov

💯

73 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 26 Nov

The way in which it is used.

140 sats \ 4 replies \ @7e6e393a56 26 Nov

What is the difference between a drug and a medicine is the dose quantity We have a saying in my country "Too much water kills the plant" The use of Ayahuasca is very widespread in Brazil and most of the time I hear that the users' experience was transcendental. I've heard psychiatrists warn about the danger of triggering a psychotic break. When it comes to personal experience, it is very difficult to say.

32 sats \ 3 replies \ @DesertDave OP 26 Nov

I agree about the dose comment. For me, Ayahuasca has been a huge part of my healing journey. I also have heard some pretty wild horror stories about it. So I really do think it depends.

11 sats \ 2 replies \ @7e6e393a56 26 Nov

The testimonies I heard about Ayahuasca are identical to yours. I see a lot of discussion about the dangers of alternative medicine, but I don't see the same concern about the use of painkillers

15 sats \ 1 reply \ @DesertDave OP 26 Nov

I never use pain killers. Unless marijuana is considered a pain killer. People can get addicted to pain killers though. Its not easy to do with Ayahuasca since it is generally a challenging experience.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @7e6e393a56 26 Nov

I get it... I believe in your experience with Ayahuasca. When I refer to painkillers, it is yet another criticism of the pharmaceutical industry, which makes billions of profits and many of these medicines are sold without a prescription.

54 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek 26 Nov

I used to get really triggered when people said "I don't do drugs" but they excluded alcohol and tobacco. Ignorance is bliss.

33 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 26 Nov

I agree. Along with caffeine and sugar in my opinion. Any substance that we consume that alters our perception seems like it could be considered a drug. When I was in highschool, I wrote a paper on why marijuana should be legal if alcohol was. Personally, alcohol has had way more negative effects in my family over weed.

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @Enemy_of_the_state 28 Nov

Drugs are profitable Medicines are not

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 28 Nov

I think this is a great answer.

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @000w2 27 Nov

Whether big pharma can patent it or not.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 28 Nov

That makes sense.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @proeu 27 Nov

Healing

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @Sirkay 26 Nov

Its different is in the usage of the keyword in the sentence and the situation involve

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 26 Nov

Intentions and the situation play a big roll for me, for sure.