Artistic Drugs Part One: The Viewer on Drugs

In my last post, I addressed the issue of artistic creators who were under the influence of drugs such as marijuana, LSD, etc. In this blog, I would like to discuss the viewer on drugs--the observer of artistic creations. After all, there are many people who go to concerts or art exhibits while they are in not-so-sober states.

If you researched drugs such as hallucinogens, you would find out that they have some interesting sensory side-effects. All of the most common hallucinogens--marijuana, magic mushrooms, and LSD--create differences in visual and auditory inputs. That is to say, when one is on these drugs, the things one is viewing appear more detailed, more colorful, and slightly to wildly warped (depending on the dosage of the drug). Sounds seem louder, more intense, and one will occasionally experience synesthesia; the sounds that are being heard manifest themselves visually (you can "see" the music you are hearing).

Hallucinogens are especially prevalent in the live music scene. People attending live concerts often do so while on some sort of drug. This creates a more intense experience; people feel the music deep in their bodies, and feel a deeper connection to it. People will also use drugs before going to movies, art exhibits, the theatre. It is believed that this leads to a deeper appreciation for the art people are seeing or hearing.

My question is: Do you think people who are under the influence while viewing a piece would still appreciate it in the same way if they were not drugged? Would they still be as moved?