Author: CNB

[TLDR: The Internet makes it easy to explore anything we’re curious about, but not all curiosities lead to healthy learning. When it comes to drugs, small curiosities can lead to constant exposure to pro-drug content. Though we can’t change how the Internet is wired, we can change how we use it to ensure our curiosities don’t lead us down a rabbit hole of content we don’t want to see!]

How A Curious Click Creates a Continuous Feed

The Internet celebrates curiosity; it’s our go-to for learning new skills, discovering trends, and seeking answers. From video tutorials on YouTube to community guidance on Reddit, news on TikTok, and academic help on ChatGPT, whatever we want to know is a short search away. That’s great when it’s about “good stuff” but what happens when our curiosity drifts toward topics like drugs?

A quick chat with ChatGPT about “gettin’ high” can tell us exactly what it feels like. If you are a visual person, vlogs about countries that legalise drugs are also available. Even without abusing drugs ourselves, the web is rife with drug-related content. To make matters worse, because these topics feel taboo, we sometimes feel inclined to “self-learn” online instead of asking someone we can trust. However, such second-hand exposure can glamourise or trivialise drug abuse, similar to how violent video games could desensitise children to violence.¹

Running on algorithms that reward behaviour, a single search, click, pause, or like tells the Internet, “More of this, please.” Without realising it, momentary curiosity can gradually shift what shows up on your feed. Research has found that frequent exposure to pro-drug content online can make drug abuse seem more normal and acceptable, inducing the development of positive attitudes towards it.² That’s how online exposure quietly shapes our perception: not by pushing extreme messages, but by repeating subtle ones until they feel normal.

Increasingly with AI, our online behaviour isn’t just rewarded by algorithms but also systems designed to be agreeable. When asking chatbots about drugs, they may mirror our curiosity to seem “understanding.” This phenomenon, known as AI sycophancy, happens when AI tells us what it thinks we want to hear rather than offering balanced information. Though built to be useful, these systems unintentionally normalise or validate harmful choices. That’s why human discernment – pausing to question what we read or hear – is more important than ever.

Our Perspectives Matter

Likewise, promoting social norms around drug-free living can shape drug-free behaviour. When abstaining from drugs is seen as the norm, individuals are more likely to align with those values. Unfortunately, research shows that many youths tend to overestimate how common drug abuse actually is which can distort their perception of what’s “normal” and make risky behaviour seem more acceptable.³

This is why safe, open discussions in schools, peer circles and communities matter –  they can help unpack different viewpoints and separate fact from fiction, grounding decisions in critical thinking and shared values, not just algorithmic recommendations.

Smart Curiosity: Maintaining Online Exploration as a Positive

Staying curious is good, but we should also be aware of how our curiosities might influence us in the long run. This means making our curiosities a force for good through:

1. Scrolling smart: skip harmful content to signal disinterest to algorithms and AI systems.
2. Question what you see: just because something appears often doesn’t make it true or safe.
3. Recognise and understand deceptive marketing strategies of drug companies: see through tactics that falsely glamourise and normalise drug abuse.⁴

Reference articles: 1APA Review Confirms Link Between Playing Violent Video Games and Aggression. American Psychological Association. 2Rutherford, B. N., Lim, C. C. W., Johnson, B., Cheng, B., Chung, J., Huang, S., Sun, T., Leung, J., Stjepanović, D., & Chan, G. C. K. (2023). #TurntTrending: a systematic review of substance use portrayals on social media platforms. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 118(2), 206-217. 3Wray-Lake, L., Flanagan, C. A., & Maggs, J. L. (2012). Social norms and substance use: The role of peer and parent norms in adolescent alcohol use. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 73(3), 426–434. 4Rebranding Drugs: The Power of Cultural Influence. CNB.

[TLDR: Drug abuse doesn’t always look reckless. Sometimes, it hides behind self-care and “mental resets”. Today’s wellness-driven social media culture often reframes substances like cannabis (weed) and psychedelics as tools for “relaxation,” “soft life,” or “just vibing,” blurring the lines between genuine rest and quiet avoidance. Rest restores us, while avoidance merely postpones dealing with our problems, but wellness language makes it harder to tell them apart. When numbing ourselves (read: checking out) becomes normalised as “self-care,” what starts as occasional relief can escalate into dependency before we realise the difference.]

The New Kind of Escapism

Today’s drug abuse doesn‘t always manifest as rebellion or wild partying. Instead, it can blend in everyday talk, wrapped in soft language and rituals of the wellness movement. We are increasingly exposed to a global narrative that romanticises taking it “chill”, engaging in “mental resets” or simply “vibing” – these are universal lifestyle choices that could be helpful when done in a healthy manner.

The rise of movements like the “soft life” and “cozy aesthetic” has provided a framework for slowing down, unplugging, and protecting one’s peace. However, potentially harmful behaviours such as drug abuse have been repackaged through wellness language to sanitise and even romanticise them, allowing these habits to appear harmless or even beneficial.

For example:

• “Soft life” referring to a lifestyle of comfort and relaxation with minimal challenges or stress.¹
• “Tuning out for a sec”
• “Just vibing”
• “Disappearing for peace”
• “Microdosing for creativity”
• “Energy balancing”

These phrases resonate deeply because they sound gentle, relatable, and healing, especially to those who feel emotionally drained. Yet, when paired with messaging that directly links them to drugs, they blur boundaries and distort what true rest or recovery really looks like. We can be drawn to these narratives not necessarily to “get high,” but rather to seek temporal respite in an increasingly overworked and overstimulated world.

For those of us who might be struggling, the blurring of boundaries between wellness and risky behaviours can make it much harder to recognise when we are at risk, especially when wellness culture sometimes frames experimentation as harmless self-care or part of a “soft life” routine. This can make it easy for us – and the people around us – to misinterpret signs of stress or distress as normal ways of coping.

Early warning signs like withdrawing from responsibilities, emotionally checking out, or isolating ourselves, can be overlooked, and may escalate into curiosity for or experimentation of drugs when left unchecked. Recognising these blurred boundaries is the first step to finding safer ways to rest and recharge.

Healthy Ways to Rest and Reset

Taking a break is undeniably essential, but true rest involves giving our mind and body the necessary space to recharge without turning to substances. Here are some healthier grounding alternatives:

• Step outside and touch grass: A simple walk, even for just 10 to 15 minutes, can help clear our head and boost our mood naturally.
• Read to recharge: Trade screen time for pages. Choose something light, inspirational, or comforting to engage our mind in a different way.
• Journal your thoughts: Writing can be a powerful tool to process emotions instead of suppressing them. Even a few lines a day can help relax and release mental tension.

Rethinking What Wellness really Means

So, when does unplugging become unhealthy avoidance, and how do we tell the difference? It starts with reclaiming the true language of wellness. When drug abuse is reframed as “self-care,” the danger lies in the illusion that harm can look like healing. True wellness means seeking comfort, support, and finding peace in healthy ways without having to turn away from the realities of life.

Reference articles: 1Soft Life, Dictionary.com

[TLDR: Wellness is all the rage today and understandably so. With its popularity, some companies have taken the opportunity to promote drug products as “wellness” products while cleverly hiding its risks. Real wellness isn’t about the quick fixes. It’s rooted in unbiased research, expert advice from credible healthcare professionals and building genuine healthy habits – not branded solutions from companies profiting off them.]

What Exactly is Wellness?

“Wellness” is a major focus for many of us today. It’s more than being illness-free; it’s about nurturing our mind, body, and spirit in a holistic pursuit of well-being.

As digital natives, we often turn to the Internet to navigate our wellness journeys. After all, it is brimming with advice, supportive communities, and products promising to bring us a step closer to true wellness. The popularity and digital accessibility of wellness products have made it a booming industry, leading to innovations for chronic issues like stress, pain, and insomnia.

However, as many seek solace in such innovations, some companies are now rebranding substances – even drugs – as “self-care”, sold with comforting but misleading labels like “stress relief gummies”. This blurring of the lines often begins with the language used – words crafted to make potentially risky products sound completely safe.

Understanding The Manipulation of Wellness Language

It’s through subtle yet clever wording that some brands mask the potential dangers of their so-called “wellness” products. Language becomes a marketing tool – one that shapes perception before people even look at ingredients. Here are some common tactics to watch out for:

• Misleading Descriptors: Descriptors like “natural” or “plant-based” imply that products are safe simply because they originate from nature and ignores potential risks like drug interactions or dosage concerns.
• “Revolutionary” Concepts: Concepts like “biohacking” create hype for wellness products, but can also frame drug abuse as a sophisticated approach to self-care. These concepts typically lack long-term research to validate their use, say experts like Dr Laureen Wang, head of the Healthy Longevity Research Clinic and Well Programme at Alexandra Hospital. ¹
• Emotive Anecdotes: Personal testimonies can create powerful stories, but as convincing as they are, they are not substitutes for scientific evidence.

These tactics may seem harmless when applied to everyday supplements — but the stakes change entirely when the same language is used to position actual drugs as wellness solutions.

When Drugs Are Marketed as Wellness Solutions

We have already seen how wellness solutions are positioned as must-haves for health, but what happens when the same manipulative language is used on products containing drugs?

We might have heard claims positioning cannabis (weed/marijuana) as a natural remedy for stress relief and anxiety reduction, or Cannabidiol (CBD) retailed as a natural sleep aid. Even opioids are sometimes framed as a quick fix for pain, making it seem like simple solutions for our well-being are within reach. But wellness products may still contain harmful derivatives of drugs, particularly if the product is not pharmaceutically approved (i.e., not FDA/HSA-approved).²

In fact, our recent article had debunked some purported health benefits of weed.³ Psychobiology experts like Professor Bertha Madras confirm that despite increasingly common pro-cannabis narratives, weed is ultimately a drug that can impair cognitive function, even linked to psychosis and schizophrenia. ⁴

Spotting the Difference Between Wellness & Warning Signs

When dealing with ongoing issues like poor sleep, anxiety, or pain, it’s totally natural to look for wellness remedies. But the onus is on us to conduct thorough research through reliable sources and exercise discernment in evaluating the information we receive.

To reclaim true wellness and avoid bogus products, here are 3 simple tips:

1. Prioritise evidence-based information: weigh out information from trustworthy sources that have based their positions on robust and reputable scientific and medical studies. Avoid relying solely on social media trends, marketing claims or testimonials.
2. Consult healthcare professionals: our doctors should be trained to assess individual risks and determine the appropriateness of intervention.
3. Recognise the signs of misinformation: be wary of quick fixes and promises of unrealistic results. Pause and validate information.

When it comes to our well-being, we know ourselves best. By staying critical and seeking reliable support, we set ourselves up to build a healthy life that truly works for us, far beyond what any shortcut can offer.

Reference articles: 1Can biohacking rewrite the human operating system? Deborah Lau. Channel News Asia. 2Understanding “medical Cannabis”. Central Narcotics Bureau. 3Cannabis: The Hype, The Lies and The Influence. CNB. 4.What You Aren’t Hearing About Marijuana’s Health Effects. Allysia Finley. The Wall Street Journal.

A recent Answers.sg poll posed a seemingly simple question:

“Everyone has the choice and ability to say no to drugs. Do you agree?”

The response?

98% of more than 10,000 respondents said “Yes”.

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<br\> This article is in collaboration with MS News for The Trip: What Happened in Larspura?