[quickthrowman]

> He tried some LSD, which may have either activated and/or exacerbated schizophrenia in his brain.

Or perhaps being a latent schizophrenic, he was drawn to LSD/drugs in general. According to a study done in 2006[0] 90% of schizophrenics in the US used tobacco products in 2006, while only 20% of non-schizophrenic people did.

How do you explain this? It’s either “schizophrenic people use drugs at a higher rate” or “tobacco causes schizophrenia”. I’d bet heavily on the former.

[frank2]

Tobacco offers short-term relief for some the negative emotions (anxiety?) caused by schizophrenia. I have heard that it is very effective (and of course fast-acting).

[rthomas6]

Most people don't know that in addition to nicotine, tobacco contains a MAOI, which are a class of drugs used to treat anxiety and depression.

[watersb]

Monoamine anti-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

[tcbawo]

I definitely subscribe to the idea of people self-medicating (even subconsciously). I don't have a lot of first-hand knowledge of his drug use post-high school. However, if you believe that psychedelics are powerful enough to permanently change your worldview, then you may have to consider that they can have other permanent side effects.