[NT] ATTN NTs: how do YOU feel about partying/clubbing/raving and recreational drug-taking

[Ezra]

I'm very interested to know what other NTs make of going out and dancing to loud music in any atmosphere, and/or taking/experimenting with recreational drugs in any environment. What are you opinions on these matters?

More in the last few months than before, I've seen myself becoming involved in these kind of activities more extensively (although I've indulged in them for quite a few years). My first thoughts were that this was impossible for an ENTJ, and I must be an ESTP or something. Then I realised that this was a stupid train of thought, and that any type can engage in this sort of behaviour. (Plus, due to the NT's highly analytical nature, I doubt I'd be thinking in this way and posting here about this if I weren't an NT.) Then it struck me that there might be a kind of general trend amongst NTs and this behaviour... or there might not be. This is why I'm posting this thread; to find out what you guys make of these attitudes to life (because as well as being activities, I think they entail a lot more than just involving yourself in certain behaviour. For many (although I'm not sure it is for me), these kinds of things can be life-changing, especially drugs).

 

[FDG]

Uuuh I'm kind of "worried" about drugs because I don't know what kind of effects they might have in the long run on my body - I also partecipate in a lot of sports and drugs tend to interfere with performance. I'm fine with alchool though, sometimes I've overdone it actually. I love clubbing/partying/raving, can't see anything wrong with that, it's fun. I only disliked it once...it was a simil-rave on a mountaintop, in april; suddenly it started snowing really hard, along with strong winds.

 

[Kasper]

I don't get a great deal of enjoyment out of dancing but besides that I enjoy going out and socialising at clubs/pubs/parties with friends, the music, the people and the atmosphere can all energise me. Not into drugs though, made a choice at 17 that they weren't for me and frankly I enjoy drinking too much to ever question that.

 

[Martin997]

i went through the "hmm why are drugs so popular phase" so i had to learn everything i can gram into my head about em and that + the fact that i do not find em interesting (they ARE interesting and i have used some more minor drugs to see/try to analyze why and how they do things) or useful in any matter and dont care about em and wont take em recreationally. much the same goes about partying/clubbing/raving, i just cannot figure out why should I? i have tried it, not found any pleasure in it and still think its a mystery why people DO. also i find that my body is my temple, it needs to be balanced and clean!

 

[Fluxkom]

I have never taken any "typical" drug labeled drugs aka Marijuana, LSD, Extasy, Shrooms or even harder stuff. I did not even try a cigarette.
It just does not a appeal for me on one hand, on the other hand I think I would even enjoy it and this is not a thought I'm particularly enjoying.

However I tolerate other people doing it, but always have a strange feeling about it, when someone I care for is into drugs.

 

[entropie]

ROCK ON !

 

[INTP]

i dont dance, atleast not on my feet. i do smoke weed and drink alcohol, im up for hallucinogens, but i only tried shrooms few times and somehow they dont seem to work on me much.

 

[Tamske]

I'm not going to try drugs. Never. I haven't even been drunk yet.
My imagination is too strong already without stimulants.

I do enjoy parties, though! I like dancing I prefer the sort of party where all sorts of music are played, not only this genre or that one. I also don't like too loud music, as I want to talk nonsense without having to shout

 

[Totenkindly]

I'm pretty cautious in considering long-term impact of my behavior, and I'm not much of a socialite in all honesty (I enjoy some situations very much but interacting exhausts me).

The deal with me is that I'm curious and I want to understand things; and for many years I was in circumstances where my freedom was severely limited; so going to such environments is interesting to me, I enjoy being exposed to something new and trying to figure it out. As long as you're aware of the pro's and con's and you're in tune with what you want (so you're not doing stuff for the wrong reasons), then it doesn't seem like a big deal to me.

I can be a heavy drinker when I am at (I like hard liquor / mixed drinks), but as far as drugs? I haven't even tried pot. The most buzz I've had from drugs is taking my prescribed vicodin. Partly I just never had the opportunity, and partly I'm skittish because (1) I don't want to get hooked on anything that is bad for me in whatever way, even if it's just financially and (2) drugs seem more dangerous long-term to me, alcohol seems far more predictable.

 

[Bowie]

I could never get into the clubbing/party/rave scene. I tried it and honestly, it was just boring and repetitive to me. I got nothing out of it, and a lot of times it'd just set off some sort of social anxiety, leading me to just make cynical and sarcastic remarks about the people around me.

I've taken my fair share of recreational drugs. Weed, Shrooms, LSD, Saliva, and a few others. I think they're a great tool if you know how to use them correctly. I would NEVER use them to "get fucked up." And in my opinion, there's nothing that can compare to the mindset of an LSD trip. It opens up doors in your mind you didn't even know you had.

 

[Totenkindly]

I could never get into the clubbing/party/rave scene. I tried it and honestly, it was just boring and repetitive to me. I got nothing out of it, and a lot of times it'd just set off some sort of social anxiety, leading me to just make cynical and sarcastic remarks about the people around me.

True.

What happened with me and clubbing: I went a few times to various types of clubs and would quickly get bored. It seemed to be a lot of the same thing, over and over, and not too great the first time.

..And in my opinion, there's nothing that can compare to the mindset of an LSD trip. It opens up doors in your mind you didn't even know you had.

Do you think the doors are real ones, or just ones that were created during the drug experience itself and might not exist outside of it? Do you have an example of one particular "new route" your mind took? (Just curious.)

 

[teslashock]

I prefer to try everything at least once before eliminating it from my "what shall I do tonight?" repertoire. I've tried the whole dancing/clubbing scene in a variety of contexts, and I can't say that I'm particularly fond of spending time shakin mah bootay. I just feel so awkward in situations that require me to be physically expressive. On top of that, I find dancing pretty boring; there is no mental stimulation, and the ultimate action of hopping around on a dance floor can be rather monotonous. That's not to say that I can't get along at dance parties fairly well if there is enough alcohol running through my veins to dissolve my inhibitions. I'd still just rather spend my time elsewhere though...somewhere that leaves more room for trickery and clever antics than a crowded, dense dance floor.

As far as drugs go, I've experimented a bit with pot and shrooms, both of which I enjoy. I would try others too (namely acid and salvia), but I just haven't gotten around to that. Drugs let me view the world from a different light, and that's always refreshing, and as far as I know, there are no serious long-term physiological consequences that come about as a result of letting these chemicals into my body, so why not give it a go?

 

[Helios]

I'm very interested to know what other NTs make of going out and dancing to loud music in any atmosphere, and/or taking/experimenting with recreational drugs in any environment. What are you opinions on these matters?

I don't find much fun in either of them, to be frank. I think they're both rather superficial ways of enjoying yourself.

 

[Bowie]

Do you think the doors are real ones, or just ones that were created during the drug experience itself and might not exist outside of it? Do you have an example of one particular "new route" your mind took? (Just curious.)

They're absolutely real - drug induced or not. Just because you're only aware of it on the drug doesn't mean it didn't already exist; and if you create the door while on the mindset of the drug - that does not make it any less real. Aldous Huxley explains this better than I could ever hope to. I believe he called it "The Mind at Large"

To be shaken out of the ruts of ordinary perception, to be shown for a few timeless hours the outer and inner world, not as they appear to an animal obsessed with survival or to a human being obsessed with words and notions, but as they are apprehended, directly and unconditionally, by Mind at Large — this is an experience of inestimable value to everyone and especially to the intellectual.

Shrooms mostly opened up doors of emotion and sensitivity. LSD opened up doors FOR my senses to experience, allowing thoughts to flow extremely free.

 

[FDG]

I don't find much fun in either of them, to be frank. I think they're both rather superficial ways of enjoying yourself.

What's the deal with them being superficial?

 

[Spamtar]

I've lived this kinda high life and experimented. Now only occasional night on the town perhaps with a cocktail or two at a lively but down to earth venue.

It was hella fun but it had its downsides and noticed many shallow elements of life and some of the friendships/relationships.

Despite being an introvert and an intuitive I loved the spectacle the stimulation of lights and sound, the body movements, the laughter and (much later after I learned to manipulate the game: the sex). My introverted side loved (and still does) dancing and these free movements being socially acceptable in extraordinary clubs with the BOOM BOOM BOOMing outstanding sound systems. The games and the after parties, waking up on a living room couch and hearing the gurgling of a bong and smelling its smoky fragrance. These are some of my most favorite places to revisit in my imagination

In general the memories are positive although punctuated by horrific and life threatening moments, seen aggravated criminals, pathetic millionaires, power brokers, supermodel types, hysterical comedians, gangsters, fast talking con-artists, artists/poets and musicians going crazy, zombiesh followers, the dysfunctional, groupies, victims, the falsely accused, leper messiahs and everyone in between wanting to have their walk on the wild side. With the wild side include fights, melodrama and tragifantasy.

My advice, if you do take this route, get out at the top of the game and don't wait for the inevitable downward spiral. A lot of people crash and burn on this path so take precautions and know your life can still be fucked up to some degree or another no matter how many precautions..a choice dumbass friend can void every precaution you ever took in one night of misadventure.

If your game, try it yet beware...it too easy to use it as a crutch to choosing life, art, spirituality and your own path. Am I glad I walked away from it yeah, would I trade away any of my experiences. No not even the painful ones.

Would I go back? Maybe as a tourist (and within the boundaries of a tourist) but never again as a resident. Whenever I consider it I think Carlitos Way.

 

[Helios]

What's the deal with them being superficial?

I don't understand the question.

 

[Ezra]

Looks like a generally mixed bag then - kind of what I expected.

I could never get into the clubbing/party/rave scene. I tried it and honestly, it was just boring and repetitive to me. I got nothing out of it, and a lot of times it'd just set off some sort of social anxiety, leading me to just make cynical and sarcastic remarks about the people around me.

What happened with me and clubbing: I went a few times to various types of clubs and would quickly get bored. It seemed to be a lot of the same thing, over and over, and not too great the first time.

But did you guys ever find a music scene which really grasped you; one which you liked listening to loudly and dancing to energetically (or perhaps not)?

I've been to plenty of poor quality, unfulfilling clubs before, and I would share that point of view with you - they were the same over and over again.

As for making remarks, that was a hobby of mine and my friend's for quite a while. We used to go to this club regularly for the sole purpose of people-watching and laughing at idiots in all their superficial nature. The music was always exactly the same, and the atmosphere never changed. The kind of nights I frequent now makes me feel pity for those single-minded, essentially quite naive people.

I don't find much fun in either of them, to be frank. I think they're both rather superficial ways of enjoying yourself.

I think they can be superficial. However, like I said, if you find a scene that really grabs you and/or you feel an affinity with, I can promise you, it is anything but superficial. What makes something superficial is the amount of control you have to exert over yourself in what is supposed to be a free environment (which is why this rave was the best night, atmosphere-wise, I ever had. Security I must admit is a necessity for many, but for many more, who can control themselves enough so that they don't go home with a dangerous individual, or get so drunk they pass out, it is an absolute nightmare. Because of security you start acting in ways you don't really want to. Then "club culture" develops which isn't really the kind of culture you want.

I've lived this kinda high life and experimented. Now only occasional night on the town perhaps with a cocktail or two at a lively but down to earth venue.

It was hella fun but it had its downsides and noticed many shallow elements of life and some of the friendships/relationships.

Despite being an introvert and an intuitive I loved the spectacle the stimulation of lights and sound, the body movements, the laughter and (much later after I learned to manipulate the game: the sex). My introverted side loved (and still does) dancing and these free movements being socially acceptable in extraordinary clubs with the BOOM BOOM BOOMing outstanding sound systems. The games and the after parties, waking up on a living room couch and hearing the gurgling of a bong and smelling its smoky fragrance. These are some of my most favorite places to revisit in my imagination

In general the memories are positive although punctuated by horrific and life threatening moments, seen aggravated criminals, pathetic millionaires, power brokers, supermodel types, hysterical comedians, gangsters, fast talking con-artists, artists/poets and musicians going crazy, zombiesh followers, the dysfunctional, groupies, victims, the falsely accused, leper messiahs and everyone in between wanting to have their walk on the wild side. With the wild side include fights, melodrama and tragifantasy.

My advice, if you do take this route, get out at the top of the game and don't wait for the inevitable downward spiral. A lot of people crash and burn on this path so take precautions and know your life can still be fucked up to some degree or another no matter how many precautions..a choice dumbass friend can void every precaution you ever took in one night of misadventure.

If your game, try it yet beware...it too easy to use it as a crutch to choosing life, art, spirituality and your own path. Am I glad I walked away from it yeah, would I trade away any of my experiences. No not even the painful ones.

Would I go back? Maybe as a tourist (and within the boundaries of a tourist) but never again as a resident. Whenever I consider it I think Carlitos Way.

I like that description. That was kind of what I was looking for actually - a clubbing experience from the perspective of another NT. You gave it nicely.

 

[jenocyde]

I experimented with everything when I was a younger, more curious ENTP but like Trinity, settled on alcohol - which I like a lot, although I rarely drink.

I love dancing and partying. Why is that non-NT behavior? Although I admit that I hate going somewhere where I am expected to dance like those big nightclubs. I prefer smaller bars and lounges where you can just catch the feeling or not, no expectations.

 

[dorcus0]

Ironically, I feel most lonely while out dancing and partying. Especially if my friends abandon me in order to mingle. That, and you don't get much intellectual stimulation. The closeness of other people is an invasion of my privacy (I'm a guy. I imagine it's worse for girls). There are frequent interruptions, like people brushing against you, so you can't even daydream properly. The music played is so formulaic that there's not much to analyze. In short, raves/clubs are my idea of hell.

On drugs... Taking drugs is like playing with fire. Fun, exhilarating, and dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. My personal philosophy is that of harm reduction: do research before trying anything out, and make sure you have someone babysitting you. (This advice is especially applicable to alcohol, since it's so widely used and abused.)