There are several key reasons that rationalists may underestimate the dangers of drugs. I can also think of one good reason, other than the obvious one (which is the application of rationality techniques including calling on helpful social influence)
hypothesised risk factors
There is a big distance in the kinds of inferences that can be made from consistently health literature and popular social commentary. Rationalists may be biased to base their decision to use or continue to use drugs based on medical evidence, without incorporating evidence from common sensibilities or mainstream social commentary.
Drug positive information is often suppleid in contexts that are largely unregulated and unscrutinised, which unscrupulous individuals may be motivated to take advantage of
Anecdotally, rationalists are more open to novel experiences than others. They may wish to seek out similarly minded peoples, as I do, and come into the company of drug positive people.
There are several key reasons that rationalists may underestimate the dangers of drugs. I can also think of one good reason, other than the obvious one (which is the application of rationality techniques including calling on helpful social influence)
hypothesised risk factors
There is a big distance in the kinds of inferences that can be made from consistently health literature and popular social commentary. Rationalists may be biased to base their decision to use or continue to use drugs based on medical evidence, without incorporating evidence from common sensibilities or mainstream social commentary.
Drugs may affect our emotions and thus our capacity to make decisions without that stimuli
Drug positive information is often suppleid in contexts that are largely unregulated and unscrutinised, which unscrupulous individuals may be motivated to take advantage of
Anecdotally, drug use elevates others’ social dominance orientation, particularly towards non-drug users.
Anecdotally, rationalists are more open to novel experiences than others. They may wish to seek out similarly minded peoples, as I do, and come into the company of drug positive people.
hypothesised protective factors
Rationalists, at least those who blog here, are more likely to recount experiences, including those which may be more difficult to confront otherwise. Engaging with past experiences in putting them into a coherent narrative is therapeutic.