Different sense of mind zine

Medication

This zine explores the different stories that some have to share about this topic and the different types of medication that can altneratively benefit you, as well as how to use it creatively!

As anything, drugs can be an expressive outlet in terms of the way we use them. I have put together various materials to help spread those stories that are here for influential reasons, to move the world forward by spreading creativity.

yours deliciously,

Polly Treend <3

Interview with: Georgia

Have you had any experiences with medication?

I have ben on multiple medications such as anti anxiety, anti psychotics and birth control.

What is the most beneficial medication you have taken?

I think from the prescribed medications that I’ve ben on throughout the years, I don’t think any have necessarily benefited me. Since I’ve got to know myself and my habits, I’ve become more aware of what’s beneficial to my mental state. Rather than someone who is a medical professional saying take this it’s gonna make you fel better’ and it doesn’t do anything like that.

Did you prefer yourself on or off any of the medications?

I definitely preferred myself off of them because rather than solve the issue, THEY JUST OFFERED AN ALTERNATE REALITY WHERE YOUR MIND PERCEIVE S THINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS, THAN HOW YOU NORMALLY WOULD UNMEDICATED.

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Would you reccomend birth control to young women?

i’ve tried the combination pill, the mini pill and I’ve had patches as well before and I’ve disliked every single one. It messes too much with your hormones, and if someone who was younger than me asked me for advice I would never advise anyone to go on them. There’s plenty of other methods that works just as well, if not more effectively. However, at the same time it’s very individual and what doesn’t work for me might work for someone else.

What was the most detrimental side effect you’ve experienced?

I think probably after I lost a lot of weight I got put on birth control that makes you gain a lot of weight. So I went from being like the thinnest I’ve ever ben to being the heaviest I’ve ever ben. I’m not particularly too bothered about what I look like physically, But the change of it was so quick, it was quite a shock to the system as it happened in a matter of weks. I can also se this being quite detrimental to few people, because birth control is so widely used, that it must be a common experience.

Have you ever tried self medicating or recreational use?

When I started self medicating that’s when i noticed real benefits. I’ve tried a lot of different prescription medications and I’ve given them all a fair shot because of trial runs specified by my doctor. But since self-medication with cannabis etc... it’s ben a lot easier to kep touch with who I am as a person, rather than take something that alters my hormones or my brain chemistry and who are in an aspect. It’s nice to fel normal and also myself rather than normal and feling like a different version of myself.

What would you reccomend to young people experimenting with medication?

Be cautious and don’t continue to take something just because a medical professional has said so. As a rule, medical professionals know better than you do because they’ve done a long process to get where they are, to be able to prescribe you the medication. However, ultimately no one knows you better than you know your self.

Would you consider taking alternative medicines? such as homeopathy?

I think holisic medicines are more expensive and are less availible to the average person. You dont get stuff like that on the NHS so unless you are willing to pay for these sessions privately they can be very beneficial and I think if I could I would.

Do you think medications represses creativity?

I think it’s based on the type of medicine. When I was on anti- psychotics I didnt fel sad, manic or lows that come with BPD anymore, but at the same time I also didnt fel anything. I didnt fel happy or excited or other emotions that normal people would fel, It just brings you down to a baselevel of nothig else. Which is very difficult to fel inspired or creative when you’re in that kind of state. On the other hand, with recreational use i’ve sen incredible art pieces made by people who are on psychedelics. However, other recreational drugs might not have this effect.

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How comfortable are

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evaluating whether what medication is best for you, is always achieved through your own trial and error. due to everyones reactions being completely unique and individual. however, learning from others their shared experiencdes always helps on what might be best for you, if your current medication is not working the way you want it to.

many people experiment with self medicating through recreational use. especially in microdosing psychedelics. this enhances ones mood, creativity, concentration and ability to emphasise with others. during the pandemic, spikes occured of microdosing over lockdown,

to improve their mental well being. a survey showed respondents who both microdosed and took psycheatric drugs, almost half reported they stopped taking their prescription medication.

however, we have to take into account that recreational drugs are only safe in very small dosages, ( hense the term microdose !). as messing around with these in unsafe conditions, can lead to drug addiction or overdoses that can later lead to long term mental health issues .

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ELLIS MARTIN - AN INSITE ON ADHD

“When I first found out I had ADHD I didnt tell anyone, becuase I felt like it made me different from everyone else.“

“the medication I got given was new, meaning I was part of a test to se if it would work, so I was scared to try it initally“

“it numbed down my personality alot though. I knew I was more quiet than how I normally would be “

“it represses you as a person. I was scared to get a higher dosage becuase the effects would be more strong“

“but it generally just numbed me down so I was able to concentrate on one thing at a time with

To have a pill is to feel beauty

-Damien Hirst

To have a pill is to feel beauty

alternative medications

‘like cures like’

Other than prescription and other forms of self medication, there are also alternative medicines availble that not everyone is aware of. These include holisitc medicines such as homeopathy, areomatherapy and some even consider vitamins, health suppliments or even exercise as an alternative medicine.

the idea that the body can heal itself

Homeopathy is a natural approach to medicine and focuses on the individual by treating them with highly diluted substances, with the aim of triggering the bodys natural system of healing.

This differs to conventional medicine, which relys on the patients physical syptoms and assumes they ned to be controlled, supressed and eliminated.

Maria- professional medical homeopath

interview with

What is homeopathy to you?

Homeopathy is a wonderful system of diagnostic treatment, mainly working on the individual and recognising patterns of behaviour/illness. We treat the person as a whole which is mmuch more convenient for them as we are maintaining and helping their health, instead of masking the problem and trying to repress it like conventional medicine. Although it’s different to conventional, we work along side them.

What is your opinion on prescription and conventional medicine?

I think conventional medicine is fine as it’s there for a reason. I do think it is over used, such as antibiotics and anti depressants. Which is why people ned to be cautious with them. People’s medications ned to be reviewed every couple years, as long term mediation doesnt do anyone any good at all.

what are your favourite cases to treat?

I like to treat anything skin related especially excema, it does take time but once it’s gone it doesnt ever come back. The same goes for many other illnesses. Overall I think people ned to be educated on alternative medicines as the world is changing, people want solutions and guidance to their illnesses. and if your doctor can only offer you a 10 minute appointment with some medication at the end that’s not enough for some people.

What is your response to those who say homeopathy is merely psychological and a placebo effect?

I would say, what are their experiences with homeopathy? probably very little which is most likely the case. When they say it’s a placebo, I say how can animals get better? how do we have homeopathic vets? and how do babys get better? they’re not aware of what they’re being given or concious of the results.

in

medication

There is a misconcep tion that medication will sap inspiration and cause emotional numbness.

experiencing side effects means its not the right medication for you !

However ,medication can often help artists better access their creativity and express emotions more

expressing creativity expressing creativity