One definition for intoxicant: "A substance that is not required for sustenance and has a stimulating or depressing effect on the mind and body."

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of drugs, but some of the most common are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, cannabis, speed, heroin, valium, mescaline, LSD, ecstasy, and cocaine. Some are stimulants and some are depressants. But in all cases, they produce artificial states and have detrimental side effects, both spiritually and materially. Of course, some drugs are prescribed for medical / therapeutic purposes, so they may have an overall beneficial effect.

Almost everyone takes some form of intoxication at some time in their lives if not throughout their lives. All levels of society are involved, from teenagers to octogenarians, from the lowest slums to the most highly placed professionals and officials. An enormous amount of money is spent every year on legal drugs (beer, wine, cigarettes, coffee, tea, medicines) in countries all over the worl. They are multi-billion dollar industries. And the illegal drug trade is just as well established.

Taking intoxicating substances is a part of cultures all over the world for as far back in history as we can know. Intoxication is definitely a part of the material world and it is here to stay.

Three main spiritual reasons for avoiding intoxicants

(1) Taking shelter

People take shelter of intoxication when they could be taking shelter of Krishna.
They try to decrease their pains and troubles this way by forgetting them. This is in the mode of ignorance and leads away from enlightenment.

(2) Seeking Pleasure

People also take drugs to seek pleasure, when they could be seeking pleasure in spiritual consciousness of Krishna. This is simply another way of enjoying and exploiting the material body and mind.

(3) Increases Illusion

We are already in illsuion in the material world and intoxicants simply increase our illusion and take us further away from Krishna. Human life is a precious chance to awaken ourselves to the Absolute Truth.

Stay high forever!

In the mid-1960s, Srila Prabhupada told his disciples that they didn't need artificial chemicals in Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is the way to permanently elevate the consciousness to the spiritual platform through the natural process of yoga and meditation so you can stay high forever!

Facts and figures

Drugs

• Are cash crops that rob poorer countries of their natural resource of land and food.
• The dangers associated with harder drugs are widely recognised, but the social acceptability of "soft" drugs is a danger in itself.

Nicotine

• About 120,000 people die every year in the US from smoking-related diseases.
• Stimulates the adrenal gland to release nor-epinephrine (NE), which gives a feeling of pleasure, but raises the heart rate.
• Raises blood pressure.
• Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream instead of oxygen.
• Atheroma builds up to block the arteries.
• Smoking is carcinogenic and tar builds up in the lungs.

Caffeine

• And as far as the coffee problem goes, the renowned David A. Phillips, Ph.D., has this to say: "Whether tea, coffee, cocoa, and meat are consumed, the gradual accumulation of oxalic acid, inherent in each of these, will actively degenerate the kidneys, developing integrative crystals and kidney stones."
• The caffeine in two cups of coffee can produce changes in the heart rate (palpitations) that may be dangerous.
• Possible chronic effect on the central nervous system.
• Leaves the brain more fatigued after the effect is over.
• Contributes towards hardening of the arteries and premature gout.
• Caffeine is a metabolic credit card, it forces the body to secrete enough hormones now, but we must pay later with fatigue, when the caffeine buzz wears off. It keeps us out of touch with our real bodily needs.

Alchohol

• There are an estimated eight million known alcoholics in America. Dr. Andre Ivy, former head of the Clinical Science Department of the University of Illinois, notes that the number of alcoholics is increasing by four hundred and fifty thousand each year. A recent survey has disclosed that 75 percent of all crimes and 60 percent of all divorces have drinking in their background. Meanwhile, the National Safety Council revealed that 50 percent of all traffic deaths are caused by drivers who had been drinking. Twenty thousand persons die and four hundred thousand are injured annually in accidents caused by drinking drivers.
• Permanently kills brain cells.
• Impairs intelligence and weakens memory and reasoning faculty.
• Lessens endurance and resistance to disease.

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