So I asked Reddit's non drug users why they think people take drugs. I am amazed at the overwhelming amount of people that believe the only reason anyone would take drugs is to escape from a shitty life.

I had a similar opinion for much of my childhood. I was a product of my upbringing and education. What I knew was what I was told and taught. I went to private Catholic schools for most of my life, so I had a very conservative view of things. I never really bought into everything they said, though. I always knew there was something not right about the views and reasonings for things. It was actually a very conflicting thing within my own head. I fell into a deep depression that almost took my life. The inconsistencies in my head didn't help. If religion was correct, and God was all I needed, why did none of it make any logical sense? Why did my brain see every hole, every fallacy, every illogical reasoning behind the basis for everything I was told? If I was a product of God, and my brain was exactly how "he" wanted it, why did it contradict everything religion was about?

I had an amazing family, awesome girlfriend, and a great life. So why was I depressed? That just made me spiral down even more, since I put all the blame on myself. Eventually I came out of it, once I hit rock bottom. In the end you know who was there keeping me from ending it? Me, that's it. It was just me deep down inside my head. My family was still there, but they had no idea how to help me. I saw the helplessness in their eyes. My girlfriend couldn't take losing me, so she left. God certainly was not there, carrying me through the sand like some bullshit motivational picture. All that was left was me. Then it clicked, it's all bullshit. It's all a crutch society has created to help them deal with the fear. Well I didn't need that crutch anymore. I wasn't afraid of dying, as I was seconds from ending it multiple times. I had no fear. It wasn't a bad realization, I was finally free! It wasn't me being wrong the whole time. It wasn't my fault anymore. It took a long time to piece my life back together, but I was alive again.

With that realization came the loss of all my preconceived notions of right and wrong. I was in control now. I decided how I wanted to live. This meant that drugs were no longer off limits. Not that I immediately went out and went crazy. I'm still a very logical person. However, it meant that my curiosity had validity now. My newly found love for life came with the desire to experience everything I could. Eventually this led to me trying MDMA. That night my brain exploded. My brain can feel this happy? The capacity for this much love and joy was possible in my head? Ever since then, all I want to do is learn and experience everything this life has to offer.

We are not here to live by some arbitrary rules that we never agreed to. We are not here to fulfill some bullshit requirements so that an omnipotent being can graciously grant us access to paradise. We are not here to stagnate and waste the incredible potential we have within us, because it differs from the norm. We are here to experience everything that is possible, and bring joy to ourselves and others. We decide what actions will enhance the time that we have here, not some government, religion, or societal perception. Drugs can have a place in someone's life, just like skydiving or mountain biking can. Once you've been to the deep places within your head, truly seen what is really there, then come back, the only rules that concern you are the ones you decide on yourself. I just happen to have done that before ever even touching a drug.

Sorry for the wall of text, but perhaps my perspective will help someone else "click" and see past the bullshit.