Any substance in it?
Is it possible to use drugs and yet look good, healthy, exercise rigorously and continue with one’s routine without any hindrance? Experts clarify
Many celebrities across the globe have time and again come under the radar of investigative agencies for suspected drug use. While in custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Rhea Chakraborty — who is being investigated in matters related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death — has allegedly named 25 Bollywood celebs “as among those doing drugs.”
Bollywood celebrities project their healthy life choices — eat right, exercise well and look gorgeous. And those named among the 25 are stars who do not look like drugies from any angle.
Recently, a drug raid led to the arrest of Sandalwood actresses, which pointed to the existence of rave parties, where guests smoke up weed or marijuana, snort cocaine along with MDMA (popularly known as ecstasy) or partake in charas.
All these celebrities look great even after their allnight partying. Which begs the question … is it possible to use drugs and yet look healthy and fit?
“Yes, it is,” says Dr D Keshav Rao, Psychiatrist and President of the Telangana Psychiatric Society. “Only when the use is long-term and excessive will health problems develop.” In the same vein, however, the expert also adds a serious warning: “Remember that severe intoxication may result from even a single use, and excessive use of a drug such as heroin can even cause death.”
WHY DO STARS DO DRUGS?
Most celebrities are supposedly driven by a strong motivation to succeed. Societal pressures, unhealthy relationships, their lives scrutinised in public and little scope for privacy, and a need to project perfection, leads to an immense amount of stress. Some celebrities even “struggle” with the sudden fame, wealth they find!
All this can even activate dopamine reward system their brains, similar to response to narcotics.
However, the issue isn’t limited to cinema stars. It is common knowledge that many artists across the world have a tendency to indulge in substance abuse. Most of the time, however, it is marijuana, which is known to relax the mind and sharpen one’s focus. Another common drug is charas, which is regularly used by sadhus and is sometimes prescribed by doctors.
Experts tell us that even athletes, like celebrities, could become ‘addicted’ to that high and turn to available resources, including drugs, to replicate that high when it fades.
Mani Pavitra, an orthodontist, life coach, social entrepreneur and yoga and water yoga (“woga”) trainer points out how celebrities are expected to give utmost importance to their body and diet to stay in shape. “They work out for at least two to three hours a day to take care of their bodies, which to some extent, gives them the capacity to withstand the effects of drugs,” she explains.
However, synthetic drugs such as cocaine, some forms of antidepressants, uppers downers, etc. pose a different level of threat.
MOOD ALTERATIONS
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Clearly, the only reason many party enthusiasts indulging in substance abuse do not look wasted is because they use drugs as a mood elevator once in a while and not regularly. After pulling off their party gig, they go on to live their daily life of work and exercise
Elaborating on how the occasional use of cocaine can make one feel more energetic, Dr Charan Teja Koganti, Consultant Psychiatrist, KIMS Hospital, says it makes people feel active and good about themselves. “Drugs work on a reward centre in the brain and make one crave for more, so one looks forward to the weekends when they perhaps usually shoot it up. Before they know it, it becomes an everyday routine. And at the end of the day, we do what it commands us to do!”
“One can also expect sociooccupational impairment. Users may not keep appointments, may miss out on career opportunities, break important relationships, etc. Added to it all, the users can become irritable, have mood swings, feel low and suffer from a lack of interest in anything but procuring and using drugs,” adds Dr Koganti.
Clearly, the only reason many party enthusiasts indulging in substance abuse do not look wasted is because they use drugs as a mood elevator once in a while and not regularly. After pulling off their party gig, they go on to live their daily life of work and exercise. However, frequent or heavy use of drugs can increase the risks of developing schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms in users. Severe intoxication may result from even a single use too.
It is common knowledge that many artists across the world indulge in substance abuse. Most of the time, however, it is marijuana, which is known to relax the mind and sharpen one’s focus. The latest craze is CBD!