Drained Quote by Jerry Stahl
““Mostly what I remember is the way things looked sometimes after I'd push down the plunger, sometimes when I got so high so fast I couldn't even take the needle out of my arm. I just sat back, head lolling on my shoulders like a balloon on a string, and everything, walls, carpet, couch cushion, my own hands, broke down to swirling molecules, reassembled as a million other things, and danced before my eyes before arranging themselves once more as reality. The endless cycle, that dance of molecules and their return to something solid, left me as drained as if I'd flown around the sun with veins for wings.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Writer's Journey, 2015
A vivid description of a drug‑induced psychedelic experience where perception dissolves and reality re‑forms, leaving the user exhausted.
In simple terms: Hallucinogenic trip feels like reality melting and rebuilding, causing deep fatigue.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the toll of intense altered‑state experiences.
Themes
addiction
perception
exhaustion
Mood
introspective
somber
Type
personal
cautionary
When to use this quote
- Therapy sessions
- harm reduction education
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Neuroscience
subjective reality
Questions to Reflect On
- What boundaries do you set for mind‑altering experiences?
- How does this perception shift affect your daily life?
A Different Perspective
Such experiences can be psychologically destabilizing and may mask underlying issues.
![“It's always like this after a few days here. I start to lose my bearings. The surface is one way, but then there are all these other things going on, sometimes going back decades, swirling undercurrents that I just don't understand. [p. 336]” quote by Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a71/kim-edwards-3145_quote_it-s-always-like-this-after-a-few-days-h_685204.jpg)
![“Hitler ... lacked the [inclination] for anything more than the occasional sensational display of emotion, in particular the great set-piece speech which mesmerized the mob and left him drained of ... energy.” quote by John Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/john-keegan-14504_display_hitler-lacked-the-inclination-for-anythi_97177.jpg)
