Hi, I’m Elliott. Welcome to Mental Floss on YouTube! Today, we’re diving into some common misconceptions about illegal drugs and marijuana, which might be legal or illegal depending on where you live.
When people talk about the 1960s in the U.S., they often imagine everyone as a hippie. However, this wasn’t true for most people. A Gallup poll from 1969 showed that only 4% of American adults had tried marijuana. Interestingly, 34% of people didn’t even know what its effects were, although 43% believed many high school students were using it.
There’s a myth from the 1980s that claims people who take LSD a certain number of times are considered legally insane. “Insanity” is a legal term meaning you can’t understand your actions are wrong. There are tests to see if someone can use insanity as a defense in court, but none involve LSD use. Involuntary commitment is for those who pose immediate threats to themselves or others.
This urban legend has been around since the 1970s. It claims that temporary tattoos of blue stars are given to children and contain LSD. However, there’s no evidence of this happening, and experts say LSD is non-addictive.
Some people think LSD stays in your spine and causes flashbacks. In reality, LSD is processed by the liver, with a half-life of 2.5 to 4 hours. There’s a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where people have changes in perception after using hallucinogens, but these aren’t considered actual “flashbacks.”
While using cocaine during pregnancy is harmful, a 25-year study found no significant long-term health differences between babies exposed to cocaine in the womb and those who weren’t.
It’s often believed that trying crack leads to addiction, but addiction rates are similar to other substances. Only 10-20% of users become addicted, meaning 80-90% do not struggle with addiction.
With the right mix of medication and therapy, recovery from meth addiction is possible. Meth can damage dopamine receptors in the brain, but recovery rates are similar to those for cocaine addiction.
George Washington wrote about “India hemp,” which is Cannabis, but he mainly grew it for hemp production, not smoking. The hemp had low THC content, so it wouldn’t have had psychoactive effects.
Some think the mushrooms in Super Mario Bros. are drug references. However, creator Shigeru Miyamoto was inspired by their role in ancient folklore, not drugs.
Every Halloween, there’s worry about drug-laced candy, but such cases are extremely rare. When drugs are found in candy, it’s usually because the child got them another way.
Thanks for watching Misconceptions on Mental Floss on YouTube! If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, leave it in the comments. See you next week!
Research one of the misconceptions discussed in the article. Prepare a short presentation arguing whether the misconception is true or false, using evidence from credible sources. Present your findings to the class and engage in a debate with your peers to explore different perspectives.
Design a poster that addresses one of the misconceptions about illegal drugs. Include key facts, statistics, and visuals to educate others about the truth behind the myth. Display your poster in the classroom or school hallway to raise awareness.
In groups, create and perform a role-play scenario that demonstrates the impact of believing in one of the drug misconceptions. Discuss how misinformation can affect individuals and society, and propose ways to combat these misconceptions.
Choose a misconception from the article and conduct further research on the topic. Write a blog post that explains the misconception, provides evidence to debunk it, and suggests ways to educate others. Share your blog post with the class or publish it on a school website.
Create an interactive quiz using an online platform that tests knowledge about the misconceptions discussed in the article. Include questions that challenge common beliefs and provide explanations for the correct answers. Share the quiz with your classmates to test their understanding.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Elliott. This is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to talk about some misconceptions about illegal drugs and marijuana, which may or may not be illegal depending on where you’re watching this video.
**Misconception #1:** Everyone was a stoner in the sixties. Nowadays, when we talk about the U.S. in the sixties, we act as if everyone was a hippie, but that wasn’t really the case. A Gallup poll in 1969 found that only 4% of American adults had tried marijuana. 34% said they didn’t even know its effects, although 43% believed that many high school students were using it.
**Misconception #2:** People who have taken LSD over a certain number of times are considered legally insane. This myth has been around since the eighties, although the number isn’t always consistent. It’s worth noting that insanity is a legal term that broadly means you can’t tell what you’re doing is wrong. There are various tests to determine if a criminal can use the insanity defense in court, but none are related to LSD. Involuntary commitment is generally for individuals who pose imminent threats to themselves or others.
**Misconception #3:** Blue star tattoos are used to distribute LSD to kids. This urban legend has persisted since the seventies, despite a lack of evidence. The story suggests that temporary tattoos of blue stars are given to children, which contain LSD. However, there have been no documented cases of this happening, and experts consider LSD non-addictive.
**Misconception #4:** LSD stays in your spinal fluid and causes flashbacks. LSD does not stay in your spine; it is metabolized by the liver. Its half-life is between 2.5 and 4 hours. There is a condition known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where someone experiences changes in perception after using a hallucinogen, but experts do not consider these actual “flashbacks.”
**Misconception #5:** Some people are born as “crack babies” and will experience major health problems. While it’s important to note that using cocaine during pregnancy is harmful, a 25-year study concluded that there was no significant difference in long-term health problems between babies exposed to cocaine in the womb and those who were not.
**Misconception #6:** Most people who try crack get addicted. In reality, addiction rates for crack are similar to other substances, with only 10-20% of users becoming addicted. This means that 80-90% of people who try it do not struggle with addiction.
**Misconception #7:** It’s nearly impossible to recover from meth addiction. With the right combination of medication and behavioral therapy, recovery is possible. Meth can damage dopamine receptors in the brain, but recovery rates are comparable to those for cocaine addiction.
**Misconception #8:** George Washington smoked weed. Washington wrote about “India hemp,” which refers to Cannabis, but he primarily grew it for hemp production, not for smoking. The hemp he grew had very low THC content, so it would not have had any psychoactive effects.
**Misconception #9:** Super Mario Bros. is about drugs. According to creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the mushrooms that make Mario grow and shrink are not drug references; he was influenced by their role in ancient folklore.
**Misconception #10:** Trick-or-treaters are frequently given candy laced with drugs. Every Halloween, there are concerns about drug-laced candy, but instances of this happening are extremely rare. When drugs are found in candy, it usually turns out that the child obtained them in another way.
Thanks for watching Misconceptions on Mental Floss on YouTube. If you have a topic for an upcoming episode that you’d like to see, leave it in the comments. See you next week!
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This version removes any potentially sensitive or inappropriate language while retaining the core information.
Drugs – Substances that can alter the body’s functions physically or mentally when consumed. – Many teenagers are educated about the dangers of drugs to prevent substance abuse.
Marijuana – A psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes. – Some states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use to help patients with chronic pain.
Addiction – A chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a substance or engagement in a behavior despite harmful consequences. – Understanding the psychological aspects of addiction can help in developing effective treatment plans.
Health – The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. – Maintaining good health involves regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental wellness practices.
Cocaine – A powerful stimulant drug that can lead to severe physical and psychological dependence. – The use of cocaine can have devastating effects on an individual’s health and social life.
Recovery – The process of overcoming addiction or returning to a state of health and well-being after illness or injury. – Support groups play a crucial role in the recovery process for individuals overcoming addiction.
Perception – The process by which individuals interpret and organize sensory information to understand their environment. – Perception can be influenced by past experiences, beliefs, and emotions, affecting how we view health-related information.
LSD – A hallucinogenic drug known for its psychological effects, which can include altered thoughts and awareness of one’s surroundings. – The effects of LSD on perception and cognition are subjects of ongoing psychological research.
Misconceptions – Incorrect or mistaken views or ideas about something, often based on faulty thinking or understanding. – Addressing misconceptions about mental health can lead to better support and treatment for those affected.
Psychology – The scientific study of the mind and behavior, including the examination of mental processes and emotional responses. – Psychology helps us understand how mental health issues can impact an individual’s daily life and relationships.
