273

Let loose
Posted on January 4, 2024 by David M Willis

273 thoughts on “Let loose”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    handling it better than Faye did, anyway

    1. Yumi

      Liz was being more of an ass, to be fair.

      1. Dave Van Domelen

        And Dorothy hasn’t been blatantly staring at anyone’s boobs today, that I can recall.

        1. Yumi

          Wait, lemme check the gym scene again

        2. Thag Simmons

          if you have to check then it wasn’t blatant

        3. Mr. Random

          True, but this is Dorothy.
          You think she doesn’t have a prepared ogling plan woth at least two back-up eye placements?

        4. EpochFlame

          not yet, anyway

        5. ValdVin

          Liz seems to do that wherever she goes.

        6. Decidedly Orthogonal

          Gotta love that power loader imagery though!

    2. Alongcameaspider

      I think Faye handled it well enough

      Dorothy thoughtlessly suggested alcohol and immediately apologized when she realized her mistake

      Liz actively disregarded Faye’s struggle

    3. Switchchris26

      To be fair, Faye is also far scarier then Jennifer will ever be lol. Faye specialized in Intimidation while Jennifer specialized in passive aggression and self deception. Their reactions would be different no matter what lol.

      1. LadyIslay

        Every time you say “Faye”, I keep thinking of Davan’s mom, and I get confused.

        1. Chronos

          Ah, I read all three of those comics

        2. ValdVin

          The effects of guest weeks and crossovers.

          You know about the three Beatrices, I take it.

        3. Casi

          I know a Beatrice and a Beepatrice, one from GWS and the other QC, who are the other two Beatrices?

        4. Jo_cubstar

          Ah GWS was soooo good. I met Danielle at TCAF and she drew me a pic of Hazel getting drunk from a 26er and i have it framed.

        5. Casi

          I met Danielle when she was doing her cross country tour for the comic back when it was in its original run. I have one of her books with Doom Kitty and Hazel drawn in it

        6. Miri

          I forgot she was a Faye…

          I also wanted to mention how awesome Claire is. Although I don’t know if I want or don’t want shenanigans where pretty much everyone BUT her knows that Marten’s proposing now…

        7. Arillius

          Surprise proposals are emotionally abusive traps. Everyone should be talking about marriage long before a ring is every thought of.

        8. Justnobodyfqwl

          God I love that this comment section is, by volume, 90% dorothies

        9. thejeff

          You can still surprise with how you do the actual proposal, but yeah, the idea of marriage should definitely be discussed.

        10. Miri

          I was so surprised when I was proposed to I forgot how to words and responded by screaming. Very loudly… My husband knows me well enough that he did this somewhere quiet and secluded and luckily we’re pretty sure nobody called in a possible murder but he did need to check after I’d put the ring on that it was definitely a yes.

          We’d talked marriage, kids, started talking how that might look with two world religions at play. We’d been living together a few years together and were saving up to buy a house together. I just startle easily. I hadn’t expected him to propose YET though. We’d got together pretty young so even though we’d been living together over 4 years at that point and known each other over 6, we were still only early/mid-20s…

        11. David DeLaney

          is this where i relate the parable about Davan’s mom, Mike, and a variable number of nickels?

          –Dave, that, my son, is when he was carrying her. up gainst the refrigerator.

    4. Esolo

      I mean, Dorothy made a mistake and immediately apologized, Liz got told the situation and aggressively doubled down. I think Faye was pretty justified in biting her head off.

    5. Decidedly Orthogonal

      First post with a hyperlink. Impressive. Most impressive.

    6. Needfuldoer

      Yeah, Faye had almost no response to Liz blatantly objectifying Bubbles, but went off the instant she pressed her own button. I hope Bubbles brings that up with her later on when they can discuss that privately, but given the way the last few strips have coddled Liz I’m not holding my breath.

      1. PedanticJerkass

        No, Faye did not have “almost no response” to Liz blatantly objectifying Bubbles. She had a very clear response to it, which was “Can’t hardly blame ya. She’s got a bomb-ass rack.” She was pretty much actively encouraging Liz’s bad behavior, because she found it amusing, at least up until Liz’s behavior directly affected Faye herself.

        1. Needfuldoer

          That’s even worse! All the more reason Faye and Liz need to be called out.

          I forgot about that part.

          If any of the characters here did something that bad, the comments would be a feeding frenzy…

        2. Miri

          I think she was amused by Liz in a “you have found a little socially inept gremlin to adopt already?” way and didn’t think there was any harm to it – while Bubbles doesn’t necessarily appreciate being objectified, she doesn’t have [any existing] hang-ups about people seeing her as a tall edifice delivering boobs at face height [that we know about]. She dismissed it as more typical “yes, my girlfriend is hot. This is a fact anybody with eyes and a libido that swings towards the female form should acknowledge. Internally. Work on that inner voice-outer voice thing maybe?” Interaction, rather than “You are deliberately trampling on people’s sore spots and being a terrible person. Leave.”

          I think though when she processes how not amused at all Bubbles was (“you’re starting to feel sorry for her? I’ll close the door so you don’t overhear her any more.”) they will talk and she will work on doing better.

          But also… Claire love. Acknowledge the Claire awesomeness.

          (When I was a suicidally depressed teen, I took “I hate myself. It’s who I am. Can’t change.” A step further to “I hate myself. It would be hypocritical to want somebody I want to be happy. Don’t deserve to change or make changes that would make me feel better.” so her wisdom does resonate.)

    7. Alaric

      For the record, I don’t think Liz is nearly as bad as Faye was in the early days. Faye’s still far from perfect, but she’s come an amazingly long way from where she started.

      1. Daibhid C

        I can’t see even early Faye being that “not my problem” about somebody else’s alcoholism, tbh.

        I can’t even see early May doing that.

        1. eskimolos

          I think that bases an assumption of character and experience that clearly differs from Liz’s. Liz is 19, seems to be from a family that has high expectations for her and very wealthy classmates, suggesting she likely came from a family with high wealth and therefore expectations. It is not unreasonable *at all* for someone who has recently reached adulthood and never met anyone with a substance abuse problem to underestimate the weight of it – just like people think they can be Bruce Willis or would befriend/defeat any dragons they met if they were real. Liz doesn’t have the context to have grown any empathy, indeed it’s likely what socialisation she had directly contrasts that and placed people struggling with substance abuse as The Other, if NIMBY voting patterns are any indication.

          This is her time to learn. This is her learning moment. It just can’t be so mortifying that it sends her scurrying back into her cave.

          Meanwhile, Dorothy has been actively trying to be the perfect democratic presidential candidate for who knows how long. Being sensitive to common constituent issues is baked into her experience, her handling the topic with panicked shame is absolutely on brand for her, even likely being younger than Liz.

      2. Opus the Poet

        TBH Liz is way younger than Faye was in the early strips, Liz is maybe 18-19. Fay was mid-late 20’s. Also Liz was separated from social situations because of the way her schooling was rushed, she had two doctorates by the time she was 17, so basically isolated from human contact until she got out of school. She’s almost feral, living in a garbage strewn basement most of the time. But yes Dorothy did much better in recognizing the issues here than Liz did.

        1. David DeLaney

          that’s more than ‘rushed’; I skipped two grades and I didn’t get MY doctorate until I was {counts briefy on fingers} 24!

          –Dave, that’s Jacob Barnett IQ range territory; I can just about follow him when he talks, if I get to pause the video and think here and there

    8. Bo

      oh woah, parallel mini-arcs…

    9. HoopsieDaisy

      The context is wildly different in so many ways. First, Liz was a complete stranger in Faye’s workplace whereas Dorothy and Jennifer have a much different relationship. Second, I wouldn’t even try to compare Faye’s experiences with trauma to Jennifer being a college kid who overdid it on the binge drinking. Third, by substituting one depressant for another, I’m pretty sure Jennifer is not even aware of what alcoholism is when it comes to substance replacement or abuse.

  2. Cmasta1992

    QC and DOA lining up was not on my bingo card

    1. Ryan

      Clearly, David and Jeph are conspiring.

      1. NGPZ

        *plays “pa$$ the Time” by Bronze on hacked muzak*

      2. Needfuldoer

        Does Butts Disease give you a telepathic link with others afflicted by it?

    2. David DeLaney

      nothing about 2024 was on ANYONE’S bingo card

      –Dave, well, except Tr*mp continuing to whine and yell against the slow inevitable approach of the arc of justice, and insist he ‘got cheated’ cuz he didn’t get what he wanted

  3. Frelance

    For at least 2.5 panels, I was pretty sure Dorothy was still having her on

    1. HueSatLight

      yup

  4. C.T. Phipps

    My first experience with the Devil’s Lettuce was when I noticed my nieces baked cookies and being they were staying in my home for the month, I helped myself to four. What followed was a wild and terrifying journey where the room vibrated and I hid under the covers because the universe was out there. THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

    Never again! Just say no!

    My wife, no stranger to Mary Jane, said, “Chuck, you are the only person in the world I know who doesn’t like weed once they’ve tried it.”

    1. Nathan

      My one experience with CBD gummies left me extremely uninterested in exploring further.

      1. Jo_cubstar

        CBD gummies are non-psychoactive… THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that gets you high. CBD is medicinal and relieves anxiety and pain and can help you sleep, but wouldn’t do anything remotely interesting or fun and intoxicating

        1. Vanessa

          Plenty of people don’t like it. I don’t like it. I fainted the last time I got high. My husband doesn’t like it anymore. It’s especial easy with edibles 1) to take WAY WAY too much 2) to dose people without their permission or awareness.

          It’s really easy to have a bad trip if you don’t know what’s going on or aren’t given any guidance, you just think you are going crazy. People have harmed themselves.

        2. Leorale

          Yeah, my anxiety-prone husband just gets more anxious. His mom is the same way.

        3. Opus the Poet

          Before getting killed and the brain damage that came with it, getting high was kinda fun, but not my cuppa Darjeeling.

          After getting killed etc. even the barest wiff of secondhand MJ smoke gives me a massive headache for hours…

        4. David DeLaney

          i can’t accuse you of burying the lede here, but dang

          –Dave, also congrats on the degree of adjustment you seem to have achieved

        5. Jo_cubstar

          Are you replying to me because I don’t think you read my comment? I completely understand that people may not enjoy THC edibles which get you high. But what I’m trying to say is that CBD gummies DO NOT get you high! CBD is the cannabinoid of cannabis that is medicinal and unlike THC does not have the “high” feeling, it simply relieves pain. So to the person above who said they didn’t feel anything and didn’t enjoy it or found it boring… That was probably why.. because they took an edible that was meant as a pain reliever not as an intoxicant

    2. Doctor_Who

      Plot twist, you got the wrong cookies, those were just Chips Ahoy.

      Bit of a lightweight, huh?

      1. C.T. Phipps

        Man, those contain SUGAR. Don’t you know that can kill people?

        1. StClair

          big doses of refined sugar or HFCS can definitely hit you like a drug.

        2. Reltzik

          Not nearly as scary as dihydrogen monoxide.

      2. Yumi

        “Turns out there wasn’t any pot in the brownie. It was just an insanely good brownie.”

        1. All-Purpose Guru

          I know someone who makes those. We tried to get her to go into business with them.

    3. Proxiehunter

      It sounds like the problem was having four edibles of unknown potency with no tolerance. I recently made brownies so godsdamned strong that one left me high for twenty four hours. If I ate four I would likely have a very bad time.

      1. Bittersweet

        The one gummy I had left me absolutely trashed for well over a day, it was a nightmare. The only reason it didn’t end in an ER trip was because I kept telling myself that while people have OD’d off of Delta 9 (or whatever number), it was way more likely that I’d just be one of the people freaking out in the waiting room than my life actually being in danger. Husband was terribly amused [Context: I took extremely strong gummy while he was at work, it hit while we were grocery shopping, I had to sit down while he checked out our four items, I sat in a parking lot alone and trashed for five hours as it dawned on me that I was experiencing time dilation and that I was in for a verrrryyyy long night.]

        1. Vanessa

          Yikes, sounds awful. The drug in edibles is so much strong than people think.

        2. NGPZ

          Yeah, this is exactly why beginners should ALWAYS stick with lower-doses, like 1 milligram both of THC and CBD is enough for anyone’s first time.

          (in California a “standard” dose is literally 10 milligrams THC)

        3. Bittersweet

          Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahha

          My first and thus far only gummy had over 100 mg (I still have the bag!). That’s uh, that probably explains it lol.

        4. StClair

          “So you wanna try coffee? Here, have this four-shot espresso.”

        5. NGPZ

          Couldn’t have said it better XD

        6. NGPZ

          HOLY SHIT that much for a single — where’d you get that bag anyway?

          And are you 100% sure it was JUST weed in that gummy?

        7. Bittersweet

          It was from a shop in town where I live, the bag is labeled “2000 mg”

          And honestly, I have no clue lol. It was sold legally, so I assumed so (possibly erroneously)

        8. NGPZ

          So you live in a legal weed state then. Yeah given weed isn’t legal on the federal level, a “standard” dose from state to state is by no means universal, but usually is either 5 or 10 milligrams THC, but of course AFAIK there’s usually no limit on how many servings per container, heh.

        9. UrsulaDavina

          That is a typical greening out and it sucks I am sorry that you went through that. I once had a pretty intense greening out experience. Overdid it with a THC-laden rice crispy edible, which led to an overwhelming sensory overload and made me feel really sick. There was even a moment when I felt like I had to consciously make my heart beat. It was pretty scary. Eventually, I managed to calm down by listening to some peaceful music, constantly reminding myself that no one has ever died from a THC overdose. That experience was a real eye-opener, and it’s led me to cut back significantly on my weed use. Now, I only indulge maybe once or twice a month, or if im on vacation mainly as a way to relax and handle stress.

    4. Ray Radlein

      I ate a roommate’s weed brownie once in college and all it did was sober me up. TBF, it was probably the “brownie” part that nuked my decent buzz, rather than the “weed” part, but still

      1. MM

        Maybe your natural state is just knurd.

    5. MM

      Should I be concerned that I’ve had sober days like that?

      1. C.T. Phipps

        i mean, it’s STILL OUT THERE.

        The universe.

        It’s INFINITE.

        1. Taffy

          True, there’s like unlimited of it that’s not us. At some point there’s probably not anything in there even, which is weird.

        2. milu

          Not to mention all the quarks!!! (I just like to say quark.)

        3. David DeLaney

          Technically we can never actually KNOW whether it’s infinite because

          a) we can’t see past the cosmic microwave background
          and
          b) we can’t see past the infinite-redshift point (which at this point in cosmic time is about 16 billion lightyears away, slowly coming inward, compared to the CMB’s 13.6 Gly slowly going outward)

          –Dave, this has been a Dave Astrophysics Minute, you can open your eyes now, it’s over

    6. Liara

      Yeah I think your problem was eating four. Edibles, especially homemade, are usually potent enough that one will get you high for hours

    7. Rose by Any Other Name

      I’ve tried it twice.
      The first time, I had too little, and the only effect was that my dreams that night were in color (they normally are not).
      The second time, I had too much, and my senses were weirdly heightened – like a blanket felt like it was super heavy and squashing me. It wasn’t bad, just strange – and distracting, which was bad since I was trying to sleep (expecting mostly sleep related effects like last time, I took it before bed).

      I’m planning a third time when I eat an amount between attempt 1 and attempt 2 and take it shortly before my wife and I have sex. If I get the sensory heightening thing again… that seems like the time to have that effect.

      1. Taffy

        I can only speak for myself, but with the right amount? That is absolutely a brilliant combo. Like 6/10 “just okay” sex getting bumped up to a 10/10 carnival experience.

        1. NGPZ

          Yes, cannabis can very often be just the thing to re/awaken a libido ☺️?

      2. BarerMender

        If you want to get drugged up for sex, cocaine is the ticket.

        1. Taffy

          Cocaine costs more than different, cheaper cocaine though.

        2. milu

          Cocaine is blood-soaked. I suggest mdma.

    8. Dara

      I didn’t either! But just because it was so. fucking. boring. The time dilation effects were interesting for the first, idk, 20 minutes realtime? Then that was followed by the longest episode of Jeopardy in the history of time I mean, hours of it.

      Christ I got so bored. And was too defocused to be able to do anything about it. 400% not my thing.

      However, I do think Dorothy could use a nibble. As a treat.

      1. Firseal

        Was the Longest Jeopardy one of the new hosts, or Alex?

        I miss Alex, and getting him back with a rerun turned Longest Jeopardy would be nice.

    9. BarerMender

      I’ve had a couple of experiences with accidentally getting too much. It can be really bad. The last time, I wanted to run down the stairs and tear up the street screaming. I was naked at the time. It took all my self-control not to do it.

      1. BarerMender

        That was from a brownie. I had been warned it was strong, so i only ate half. If I’d eaten it all, I’d have been Baker Acted. (Baker Act: Florida’s law that lets them put you in the mental hospital for three days.)

    10. Raen

      >“Chuck, you are the only person in the world I know who doesn’t like weed once they’ve tried it.”

      Honestly, I find edibles do nothing for me, at all – basically, I end up kneeling over a toilet before it makes it to my head.

      I probably shouldn’t be smoking anything, and loose-leaf vaping just makes me feel like I’ve stood up too fast.

    11. zee

      Yeah dude cuz you had four whole edibles. That’s crazy
      My first experience was bad too bc I had too much. I haven’t smoked much since bc it’s a lot of effort but, I learned to really take my time and pay attention to what I’m doing

    12. Jamie

      Oh, my only experience with the stuff also gave me, what I understand is, a bad trip. But also it was medical grade.

    13. Autogatos

      I’ve tried it a number of times (I have chronic pain and some people swear by it for that) at various strengths and in various varieties and forms, and never enjoyed it.

      I have ADHD and I’ve found it just turns all my ADHD symptoms (and the related anxiety) up a lot. Even when it doesn’t trigger anxiety, it’s stressful because I’m already so in my own head all the time and it just magnifies that and the last thing I need is something that’s gonna make me spend hours staring at the ceiling thinking deeply about things.

  5. pickonecard

    I’d be down for a Dorothy does weed arc ngl

    1. Vanessa

      I imagine it would make her self-consciousness and anxiety even worse. So much worse. It does to me, I don’t know why people think pot is relaxing, just baffling.

      1. Coatl

        She is looking for ways to get that weight off her shoulders, but the truth is that it is scary that if she were to consume that, things would get out of control.

      2. Dr. Sharks

        I worried the same thing about Dorothy, and I also have a similar reaction to weed. At least, ever since I was 20 or so.

        I smoked semi-regularly (like 3 times a week-ish) for about 3 years before that and had a great time. Then I didn’t smoke for a couple weeks over a family holiday. Somehow, when I came back and smoked again, it was like a switch flipped. I only get anxiety and paranoia out of it now. I’ve tried different strains, different environments, by myself, with different groups of people, but I just keep getting caught in anxious thought loops.

        Dorothy’s default state seems to be “anxious thought loops” so I expect weed would just make things worse for her.

        1. Autogatos

          Yup, as someone else prone to anxious thought loops, that is exactly what it did to me. It’s just not a good fit for some people.

    2. anon

      watch as Dorothy’s first weed experience is a bad high. I don’t trust my own subconsicous or anyeone else to ever get more than tipsy/buzzed (might try one weed brownie if offered but it smells too much to smoke imo), one friend’s bad high said it was like he ‘felt like it was falling all day’

      tho be hilariously amusing/messed up if it somehow made her /more/ productive, but calm about it to where she didn’t realize she’s even more close to burnout. tho, being too dependent even on weed seems risky

  6. Doctor_Who

    Dorothy, in the year 2045, at a press conference: “Yes, I took weed, but I never inhaled.”

    Reporter: “Why the fruck not, that shit’s been legal since President Snoop Dog.”

    1. C.T. Phipps

      Honestly, I think that was a large reaction to Clinton’s own defense given most Democrats his age were ex-Hippies.

    2. Proxiehunter

      “I didn’t inhale because I didn’t want to choke on the gummy I was eating.”

      1. Opus the Poet

        Take my imaginary upvote! +1

  7. Yumi

    Look at Jennifer, caring!

    At look at Dorothy, saying her in her head editing process aloud!

  8. Ray Radlein

    But proportionally to the respective provocations, thoug

    1. Ray Radlein

      (This was supposed to be in response to Ana’s post, fwiw)

  9. NGPZ

    Yes, Dorothy, you could really use some! ?

    (micro-dosing as we speak to treat my depression/panic attacks)

    *plays “Dead Fingers Talking” by Working for a Nuclear Free City on hacked muzak*

    1. a/snow/mous/e

      hope that’s effective for you! <3

      you're the coolest alien i know, and i always love reading your comments :3

      1. NGPZ

        Awe thanks. ??

        *plays “Unforgetting” by Devon Church on Hacked Muzak*

  10. Sirksome

    I’m not into weed but I surprisingly tasty brownies once I later discovered had weed in them. I actually felt nothing.

    1. Proxiehunter

      If you couldn’t tell until after someone told you I’m not surprised you felt nothing. The ones that got me high for 24 hours off one brownie smell like if Willy Nelson let Snoopdog take his tour bus for spin.

      1. Sirksome

        Well to be fair I only had one and it was probably too small to have a strong effect. It was kind of a party platter situation.

        1. NGPZ

          Well it’s not uncommon to not feel anything on your first time, so I’m not surprised here, actually.

      2. monkyvirus

        Honestly I’ve always been confused when someone “accidentally” eats weed brownies in a movie or something. To me they taste 100% like someone put herbs in them (which is weird because it’s a brownie). Honestly if I was genuinely trying to sneak weed into food I’d make weed chicken pie or something.

        But maybe some people can’t really taste it? Like coriander.

        1. Autogatos

          Wait there are people who can’t taste coriander? I am envious! I despise coriander, ugh. (Only the seeds though, I like a bit of cilantro in my guacamole or on tacos).

    2. Thag Simmons

      some people have really strong tolerances for this sort of thing

  11. HueSatLight

    This is where she has her meet cute with Arnold, he’s smoking weed with Meredith.

    1. HueSatLight

      She goes to Carla first, but for some reason she’s not around.

      1. Needfuldoer

        Carla wouldn’t share, anyway. That’s her weed, dammit!

        1. PirateTawnee

          Boosters’ chat with Carla about her parents really shook her, and now she’s enacting a teenage rebellion phase by going full anti-capitalist and giving things away for free.

  12. shadowcell

    Dorothy will be like Reverend Jim from Taxi, she’ll take one hit and be completely transformed into a disheveled but pleasant hippie

    1. butting

      Bags being the one to introduce her to Pacman.

    2. Needfuldoer

      “Dorothy, I didn’t know you could play piano!”
      “Me either! I guess I’ve been taking lessons.”

      1. David DeLaney

        not often these here comments get a joke callback at least a century old. well played!

  13. newlland(Henryvolt)

    It was either Carla or Meredith.

  14. Animedingo

    Oh are we being sensitive to peoples feelings again Jennie? I wasnt sure you were playing

    1. Jeremiah

      It depends strongly of context and wherever something is somewhat her fault.

    2. Samniel

      I believe Jennifer originally was only throwing barbs at Dorothy but seeing her spiraling made her actually care until Dotty shot back with something that would actually hurt her.

      …and then started caring in her usual Jennifer self

    3. anon

      i mean i imagine jen’s not that upset since dorothy could’ve been harsher about it like “maybe i should get drunk and hate-fuck the RA like you did” Tho idk if there’s been hints of her relapsing

    4. Mturtle7

      I think Jennifer tends to consider herself VERY sensitive to other peoples’ feelings at ALL times, in the same way that she prides herself on her amazing intuition, or how she used to be 100% convinced that Sal was Amazi-Girl.
      As far as she’s concerned, her playful barbs from yesterday’s strip were exactly that, and didn’t seriously hurt Dorothy’s feelings at all. And even if they DID, it would be Dorothy’s fault for being so uptight. Luckily, now that Problem-Solver Jennifer has identified her problem with pinpoint precision and came up with a flawless solution, everything’s gonna be OK!

      1. David DeLaney

        and this is why a trail of popcorn vendors follow her, just out of frame, continuously

  15. Bittersweet

    If Dorothy explores weed, please let her find some hardcore stoner to guide her. I tried my first edible a few months ago and nobody was there to tell me you weren’t supposed to eat the entire thing. I spent half the night watching the Godfather and breathing on manual while crying that DARE, Hollywood, and my mom were right about drugs.

    I can’t not see Dorothy doing the exact same thing. “Smoking is bad for your lungs, therefore I will eat this gummy and WHY AM I BREATHING ON MANUAL”

    At least Jennifer is trying to be supportive. I always forget what her and Dorothy’s actual friendship level is.

    1. Coatl

      Honestly, it’s very difficult to know if it’s friendship, I feel like it’s cordiality on Jennifer’s part, plus the only conflict they had was Joyce’s health problems, but since the black-haired woman never had a serious conflict with the blonde, maybe that’s why. She’s not that mean, I just wonder if Dorothy could really stand to try that, yes, she’s looking for a way to relax, but let’s hope it’s not something serious.

      1. Vanessa

        I actually think Jennifer is setting Dorothy up for a miserable 24 hours and some serious embarrassment on purpose. Surely she knows that Dorothy is quite likely to have a miserable experience and possibly a complete nervous breakdown. She’s already barely hanging on to sanity. Fingers crossed it’s just a puff of some old-fashioned weak pot, not an edible filled with highly over-bred modern strains. Also not something illegal (is pot legal in their state?) that’s been contaminated.

        1. Coatl

          Believe me, I also hope that Jennifer’s suggestion is temporary.

        2. thejeff

          She’s not setting her up for anything. She made a casual comment about trying weed rather than booze because of how Dorothy was overreacting. That’s all.

        3. Taffy

          She diagnosed Dorothy with weed.

    2. anon

      doesn’t meredith smoke weed? IDK about anyone else but even in college, unless a teacher is ‘chill enough’ to smoke with you (inappropriateness aside), i don’t think anyone that young would be experienced enough to be a ‘hardcore stoner’

      1. Proxiehunter

        There were students in my high school who were hardcore stoners.

      2. Thag Simmons

        Yeah I think every comic she’s appeared in outside of the first blowjob cat comic was a stoner joke

    3. Dr. Sharks

      Based on Dorothy’s personality, I don’t think she needs a guide through the whole experience. At least, I can’t think of anyone in the main cast that would be a good fit. Dorothy’s strong desire to exceed everyone’s expectations would probably turn into paranoia. She needs someone to give her some clear instructions and tips at the start, then leave her alone with some snacks and water and cartoons and a chill playlist with a trippy visualizer. She already has a hard enough time being cool with herself, let’s start there before introducing anyone else into the mix.

      1. David DeLaney

        well … maybe Joyce

        –Dave, she has a different difficult time being cool around Joyce

    4. Miri

      Not knowing how to breathe is TERRIFYING. I was stone cold sober and suddenly didn’t know how to make my lungs inflate once, and they were hurting…

    5. Needfuldoer

      Meredith finally gets her 15 minutes in the spotlight.

  16. Yotomoe

    To be fair weed can also make you really paranoid. Might actually do more harm than good.

    1. RassilonTDavros

      Does it tend to aggravate already-existing paranoia, or does it mostly just induce it in people who usually don’t suffer from it?

      1. Yotomoe

        Yes.

      2. HueSatLight

        Anecdotal, I’d guess it heightens it. What I learned from hanging out with stoners is I became funnier when they were high, but not if the joke could induce paranoia.

        There may also be different balances of the cannabinoids.

        1. NGPZ

          The last one is surely a factor.

          THC by itself has a greater chance of inducing paranoia than consuming it alongside CBD in equal or greater amount, makes for much more even high.

          Additionally, it’s always best to start off with like a tenth of what your state calls a “standard” dose if you’re just starting to use it.

      3. Taffy

        In my experience, both.

      4. Bogeywoman

        Depends on the weed and also the person. There’s a gene that predisposes people to schizophrenia which can be triggered by weed. People with the gene can have really bad experiences, but at the worst it can trigger full on schizophrenia. I have an uncle with drug-induced schizophrenia so I did my research.

        Some people can just have bad experiences without it, especially if it’s not regulated because of additives (like spiking) or because of other brain stuff (like me being autistic means some strains make me anxious and have sensory overload).

    2. anon

      i wouldn’t be surprised if it depended on your state of mind too, other than something that’s like an instant knockout to help you sleep, being anxious before smoking drugs might make it worse lol but depends on ur own brain

  17. RassilonTDavros

    Seeing Dorothy agonize over every word here feels like looking in the mirror.

    Unfortunately I don’t live in a state where weed is legal and don’t feel like risking it…

    1. True Survivor

      Yeah Dorothy is sometimes a little too relatable. I’m worried she’ll get caught, and get in big trouble or ruin her career prospects.

      1. Coatl

        It’s horrible to see Dorothy in that state and I honestly hope she makes it out of all of this triumphant.

  18. NGPZ

    Now, who here had “Dorothy stoner arc” on their New Years Bingo card?

    1. Yumi

      Dorothy finds a new direction in life and opens up a dispensary.

      1. NGPZ

        on your card for reals? wow congrats!

    2. anon

      she’d probably talk herself out of it unless there were other presidents who openly smoked weed lol

      1. Leorale

        Iirc, Bill Clinton had that silly line about a lil weed in college: “I smoked but didn’t inhale.”
        Which allowed Obama to eventually say, “of course I inhaled. That was the point.”

  19. tunasammich

    If she’s anything like me, it’ll only make her MORE ANXIOUS! lol

    1. Yumi

      This is part of why I haven’t tried it. I’m not super interested in general, but the times when I am interested, it’s when I’m hanging out with friends– which I would want for when I first try it– and having a good time and fun conversations. But then it’s also like, if it makes me more anxious right now, then its just ruined my evening. (Also, my friends live a decent way from me, so there’s also the question of how soon I’ll be good to drive long distances after.)

      1. NGPZ

        Depends on the strain, how much you’re taking, and whether or not it has both THC (“head high” compound) and CBD (“body high”). definitely recommend consuming something with a 1:1 ratio THC and CBD on your first time for a nice even high, 1 milligram each.

        When consumed via edible, it first elevates your heart rate but briefly, before lowering heart rate and even blood pressure (at least with CBD) Additionally, avoid consuming it along with a lot of caffeine to avoid increased anxiety.

        Consuming lower amounts of 1:1 THC/CBD over longer periods of time, (micro-dosing) can be very effective at decreasing anxiety, at least in my experience.

      2. Lamppost

        I’m a pretty anxious person, tried weed a few times but in extreme moderation because of my anxiety. It makes me feel relaxed and happy when I try it with close friends, but with people I don’t know well it makes me feel on edge. Once I got kind of seasick but that might also just be because I’m not a smoker in general. Not by any means a life-changing experience for me, I don’t think it could cure my anxiety, but it didn’t make it worse either.

  20. BBCC

    Time to visit Meredith!

  21. Drain

    I’m afraid of weed because I’m afraid I’ll only get more anxious and/or poop my pants on it

    1. Taffy

      Definitely don’t wear anything that’s your favorite while you’re high, especially not your favorite pants.

    2. Bogeywoman

      I have never pooped my pants nor heard of any friend who has (because of weed). Greening out, yes, but that’s from mixing substances (weed + alcohol= ?).

      If it’s legal in your state/country then talking to your doctor or dispenser can help with finding the right type to reduce the risk. In any case having a safe, experienced, person with you is always the go for any drug.

  22. C.T. Phipps

    Jennifer is one of the archetypal bullies who puts others down to feel better about herself but she THINKS it’s being taken as good natured teasing. When, in fact, it’s taken as bullying.

    However, her teaching Dorothy to do weed would be awesome. Especially if she’s terrible at it.

  23. RassilonTDavros

    Roomies! Dumbing of Age Book One Fourteen: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Beer Weed

    1. Bogeywoman

      Fuck I miss Roomie. I need a reread

      1. RassilonTDavros

        The best way to stop missing Roomies! is to attempt to reread it.

        1. Mturtle7

          Unfortunately, they just finished up their full rerun of strips! You can still totally dive through the archives though, of course.

  24. Bobcat

    Dorothy’s breaking down is long overdue but it’s still heartbreaking to see.

    1. Coatl

      The truth is that there were moments where it was already getting worse, but I think that Raidah’s poisonous comment made things worse.

      1. Samniel

        When in doubt, blame Raidah

        1. Amós Batista

          She always comes back here, in a way or another.

      2. Bobcat

        Yes, the writing has been on the wall for quite some time now (in DoA probably just a few days, but still).

        I just wish there was a way for her to process all of this in a sane, gradual manner.

        1. Coatl

          The detail is…who can really help her?
          Joyce seemed enthusiastic about helping that day they were having dinner, but I honestly think her help will not be rewarding at all.

        2. Lamppost

          I think Joyce helped her that day, but it doesn’t fix the real problem which is Dorothy’s struggles with trauma, extremely high expectations for herself, and general crisis of self. Dorothy’s achievements goals are not compatible with her health. She demands way too much of herself, physically and mentally, and her relationships with other people are bordering on unhealthy. She wants to help others but doesn’t trust other people to help her the way she needs to – not her friends and not her therapist.

          I absolutely think Joyce will be able to help her, as well as her other friends – Amber seems promising – but they can only get her a bit of the way. She needs to open up and get the help she needs, stop lying to her therapist, and maybe develop a plan B that doesn’t involve being president.

        3. David DeLaney

          ideally before she’s on Medicare plan B

        4. Coatl

          I think that Amber is the best option and I dare say that even if they interact a little more, it may even be beneficial for Amber herself, and I agree that Dorothy can find other ways to help people without the need for a high position.

  25. Taffy

    I’m just sick of Dorothy in general, so if she fucks off to get high with Meredith for a few weeks, no harm can come of it.

    1. HueSatLight

      her friends concern for her getting high is going to be annoying, ordinary Dorothy who gets high would be better than “extraordinary” Dorothy who’s living a CV she imagined when she was 13.

      1. Taffy

        Joyce and Becky will notice, check on her every so often, and help her remember to hydrate and eat her salad wraps.

        1. HueSatLight

          Joyce reminds her to hydrate. Becky eats her salad wraps.

      2. StClair

        or lately, failing to live up to it.

    2. Reltzik

      *plays Afroman on the highjacked jukebox*

  26. JA

    No, Dorothy needs some magic mushrooms.

    1. Taffy

      Honestly, just give her some meth. That’ll calm her down.

      1. Mym

        Fentanyl!!

        1. Opus the Poet

          Not funny, the difference between a theraputic dose and OD is too small, and one of the major reasons why it’s such a dangerous street drug. Here in TX we are getting an average of one OD/day because there’s so little room between “Gets you high” and “You’re dead” and there’s no way to know ahead of time if you’re one of the people who is sensitive to the drug and dies at just over the theraputic dose, or gets high.

        2. Mturtle7

          I’m a librarian-in-training, and I’ve heard that public library workers all over the country are getting training in how to use overdose treatment kits, because the overdoses are so common among our patrons. Haven’t gotten the training yet, but it’s not unlikely that I will soon.

          …That being said I actually still thought @Mym’s comment was funny. What can I say, I like black humor.

    2. Bogeywoman

      Hoho, fuck no ?

      1. NGPZ

        micro-dosing those one day is on my bucketlist, inironically.

  27. Francoinblanco

    the paranoia of having your political life ruined by smoking a joint will be legendary

  28. DailyBrad

    I kind of wonder if Jennifer is saying this as someone who herself does weed now or if it’s just a general observation.

    You know, I am actually usually not that into “frenemies”, but I for some reason am not minding it with these two.

    1. Coatl

      It sounds like an observation, but with the crisis that Dorothy is having, it’s scary to think what will happen, I just hope it’s a one-time thing.

    2. Mturtle7

      Dorothy’s last frenemy relationship was doomed from the start, since Becky was forcing it so much. This Billlie/Dorothy relationship seems to be developing organically, which is much better! Here’s hoping the happy(/unhappy) couple has many more years (of occasionally helping and mostly annoying each other)!

  29. Suet

    Zoo wee mama, Jennifer’s somewhat always the one to bring Dorothy back to Earth.

    It’s funny that Ruth was also the one that suggested Dorothy to toke. Her mini scotch bottles weren’t enough, eh?

    1. Bogeywoman

      A+ catch

  30. HueSatLight

    what are the odds Indiana changes its marijuana laws while there’s strips in the buffer mentioning Indiana’s marijuana laws?

    1. NGPZ

      Luckily enough in Ohio, the new laws legalizing recreational and medical weed JUST went into effect.

    2. UrsulaDavina

      Even if it was legalized in Indiana It would still probably be illegal be she isn’t 21, I doubt Imdiana would be the first state to have legal Marijuana for 18 year olds.

    3. anon

      weeds not legal here, but cbd isn’t banned so some places just sell cbd oil vapes or the gummies or so lol

      makes me wonder if amber or ‘amazigirl’ had access to a black market ring for drugs tho it’d still be risky with ppl lacing their weed these days

    4. Yumi

      One thing that’s interesting about state legalization is that even when recreational use is legal in your state, it can still prevent you from jobs where it wouldn’t likely impact your performance to have smoked the night before, for instance. Like, I guess my state just changed some rules about required screenings for different types of employees last year, but some place– like my local library– still list passing a drug screening, including marijuana, as part of the requirements.

  31. C.T. Phipps

    Dorothy and Jennifer hook up inevitable?

    Maybe!

    It might open Dorothy to considering her feelings for Joyce aren’t…platonic.

    1. Mturtle7

      I think I suggested a while back that if Jennifer heard certain comments Dorothy has made about Joyce, she would immediately connect it to her own past denial of her bisexuality, and try and speedrun Dorothy through the same revelations she had. With more Dorothy-Jennifer interactions incoming, I am VERY excited to see this is a real possibility now!

  32. Cholma

    ? My [doctor] shook her head and said, “the [girl’s] got no control”. ?

  33. UrsulaDavina

    Just a small PSA
    Weed DOES have side effects, and while you can’t overdose in the traditional sense, overdoing it can lead to an unpleasant experience known as “greening out.” There’s also a chance that you can become psychological dependent on it whi h is called cannabis use disorder, which affects about 5% of users. It’s less common than alcoholism, but like alcohol, tobacco, and harder drugs, it’s more likely to happen if you’re genetically
    predisposed to addiction and if your younger,Younger folks are at a higher risk too. Another thing to watch out for is the potential for triggering psychosis, especially if you’ve got certain genetic conditions. Weed can be habit-forming, and there’s a risk of memory issues and hindered brain development in younger users, since the brain typically finishes developing around age 25.

    Taking a toke or two, maybe three, probably won’t harm Dorothy. But it’s important to remember that weed isn’t totally harmless, nor is it as dangerous as some might think. It’s usually best to wait until you’re around 25 for regular use to minimize risks to your developing brain. But if you’re over 21 and it’s legal where you are, it’s your choice. Just keep in mind that, compared to alcohol, weed is generally less harmful to your physical and mental health.

    1. UrsulaDavina

      Also weed has several beneficial effects that make it popular for both medicinal and recreational use. It’s particularly effective for pain relief, helping with everything from arthritis to migraines. Many people find it reduces stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of relaxation. It’s also helpful for sleep issues, aiding in both falling and staying asleep. For those needing to boost their appetite, like chemotherapy patients, weed can be very effective. It’s also known for its ability to alleviate nausea. Some studies suggest it might have neuroprotective benefits, potentially aiding in conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, it can elevate mood and even enhance creativity, making it a favorite among various users. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis are another plus, offering relief in different inflammatory conditions.

      I found the occasional gummy can be relaxing and reduces stress and does make cartoons very funny albeit I started at about 29

    2. Yumi

      That “brain finishes developing around 25” is a misinterpretation of the study by the way (though there is some truth to it specifically with the prefrontal cortex). Just saying, because I believed the 25 thing for a while and based some life choices around it. (Not ones I regret, just ones that I was like… oh, I put a lot on that concept I misunderstood.)

      1. UrsulaDavina

        I am aware it’s a bit of an over sinplifcation and mostly based on your prefrontal cortex development and that memory is formed in your hippocampus but the point is weed can have adverse effects on your brain when your younger if youre heavy user or have a genetic predisposition.

        1. Yumi

          Sure, I agree that there are more risks to weed when younger and other factors. Just so many people misunderstand that brain development point. The issues that can come from weed are there regardless.

    3. Regina phalange

      I like this comment. Sometimes it feels like people think that they fought so hard to have access to weed without years of jail-time, they want to pretend like there’s literally nothing bad about it. (To be clear, SO many people were unjustly prosecuted for this, and its illegality is basically unjustifiable.)

      Maybe it doesn’t have an intentionally addictive formula like cigarettes or ultra processed snack food, but…you obviously can get addicted. People literally get addicted to food (not just junk formulated to be addictive), caffeine, normal meds—people get addicted to things when they feel good, even if they are perfectly normal and okay things to enjoy. Not everyone, but some. But for some reason, when people are stressed, others find it reasonable to say “try some weed, you’ll feel better”—even though it would be cringey and terrible advice to say, “just get some Chinese and eat until you feel better.”

      And let’s not forget that weed is usually consumed by smoking. People think they can inhale particulate into their lungs and it’ll all just be fine? We’re talking about lung cancer. Less severely, we’re talking about friends and family not wanting to be around a person who constantly reeks of weed. (At the very least, be open to edibles. Smokers—of anything—are damn disgusting.)

    4. Mym

      My wife has CHS, and if she smokes it can shut down her kidneys! It makes her vomit profusely and makes her schizophrenia really aggressive. It occurs after frequent, consistent, long-term use of weed
      (Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome)

  34. Amelie Wikström

    If you need to learn that it can be a pleasant and rewarding experience to relax, there’s probably better ways to try it than consuming illegal narcotics when you’re extremely anxious about being a nice presentable future president who’d never consume illegal narcotics.

    1. Taffy

      I don’t think Mary Jane is a narcotic. Or illegal.

      1. Esolo

        Weed is not a narcotic, you are correct, but it is illegal, at both the federal level as well as in the state of Indiana, where this comic takes place.

      2. Yumi

        I only read your comment at first, and I missed the word “Jane,” like yeah, I don’t think Mary is a narcotic either, she just kinda sucks and makes you wish you had one–

        1. Reltzik

          You can’t spell bongo without bong.

        2. a/snow/mous/e

          good wordplay, take my imaginary +1

    2. Mym

      As stated above, weed is /not/ a narcotic

      It can do a couple things to anxiety;
      Make it worse
      Make it better

      It just depends on a person’s chemical makeup and the type of weed.

      I’m in a place where it isn’t illegal, and I don’t smoke it often. It has a lower risk than most drugs of addiction, unless you have a predisposition for addiction in your brain. (Like internet addiction for example, which can be more harmful than a good lot of drugs)

      1. Amelie Wikström

        In hindsight, I should have said “drugs”. I wanted to also cover alcohol and I didn’t need lectures on how weed is good for you.

        1. Taffy

          Nobody’s lecturing you.

        2. Mym

          For sure, I was just trying to give my thoughts on it because it was a good comment to jump from with explanations

          (I also said it can be detrimental?)

      2. Proxiehunter

        It literally has fewer and less severe side effects for me than the medication prescribed for when my CPTSD is triggered while being just as effective. More really because I was avoiding taking the other medication when I really needed it because of the side effects.

  35. Booyahman

    There is a non-zero chance this ends with them making out.

    1. butting

      Starting with: Jennifer’s heard there was a spotting session earlier and has ENTIRELY misunderstood what was happening.

      (wait. is this a regionalism? some of y’all might need to google. um. here ya go!)

  36. Masumi

    Tbh, I’ve never had a artifical high anywhere as good as the runner’s highs I get…

    1. Da Boy

      Sadly not everyone is willing to go the extra mile to get it.

      1. Mym

        Amazing pun. 100%

  37. HueSatLight

    Is Ruth a moderate drinker now or a heavy drinker? It’s good Jennifer is sober, I don’t think she has a gear between that and problem drinker.
    I know some people can go from heavy to moderate/light, but that’s not really an experiment I’d suggest to someone who tried to drink themselves to death and got sober.

  38. june gloom

    I don’t know how much of this is Dorothy putting on a bit in response to Jennifer being shitty to her or not.

  39. Zach

    ‘Thought I’d give being a bongo a try. Did I get an A+?’

    How would Jen react to a mean Dorothy I wonder? One who’s only comfort was looking down on others and accurately judging them.

    Is that all Sarah is?

    1. Schpoonman

      Sarah’s not very accurate.

    2. David DeLaney

      Dorothy would have to keep an insult spreadsheet
      both to avoid using the same one twice in any one person’s hearing
      and to rate their effectiveness in terms of mood change percentage

  40. Carla's #2 Fan

    I hope she also does therapy soon, Dorothy needs to learn she has anxiety and look into ways to manage it.

    1. Jeremiah

      As has been stated, Dorothy goes to therapy, she just has been fully avoiding mentioning any issue that has the chance to have her diagnosed or prescribed with something, since that would hurt her future prospects. Plies the fact that, at least according to Walky regarding amber, the therapist around here aren’t great.

      1. EAG46

        What’s the point of going to therapy, then? It’s not helping Dorothy if she won’t tell the therapist what’s bothering her. Including “Fear of hurting future prospects.”

        1. Yumi

          What’s the point for Dorothy? Probably performing her idea of the responsible thing to do when one experiences traumatic events. “Responsible people with the resources to do so go to therapy to help prevent traumatic experiences from becoming a longer-lasting and larger issue. I am responsible. I have the resources. I go to therapy.” Or something to that effect.

          There might also be unconscious “benefits” she gets from seeing a therapist that she doesn’t open up to– “This mental health professional does not see me as having particularly major issues, which is evidence that I am fine.” Not actually helping her, but… brains, man.

  41. milu

    Weed opinion: it makes music interesting. It also makes ideas happen, some even that don’t suck occasionally. i barely remember anything about any movie i’ve watched while stoned

  42. Reltzik

    Dorothy has DEFINITELY spent too much time cooped up studying, and needs to get out and touch grass.

    1. Zaxares

      Is that a euphemism? ;P (I know the meme, but in this case, I think both interpretations could be true!)

      1. Reltzik

        More a pun. So yes.

        1. Da Boy

          Touch the grass with your lungs XD

  43. Sombrero

    All you need is weed
    All you need is weed
    Weed is all you need
    Weed is all you need

    1. a/snow/mous/e

      there’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
      there’s nothing you can sing that can’t be sung

      1. David DeLaney

        imagine there’s no stress sweat;
        it’s easy if you try-y

  44. DarkoNeko

    or, y’know, better friends

  45. Yeet

    I’m pretty sure Dorothy actually needs to stop lying to her therapist and then maybe get on some medication.
    Letting loose isn’t going to help if she’s going to snap back twice as hard.

  46. Luna

    Man, I just really, really, really want Dorothy to be okay. 🙁

    1. David DeLaney

      nobody in this comic, or adjacent to it, is actually okay

      1. Luna

        I know, that’s why I want it so bad ?

  47. Amós Batista

    Wow, Dorothy’s rambling hard today. I never saw she like this.

  48. Wilde

    I’m in this picture and I don’t like it

    About weed: when it became legal here, I didn’t have any guidance on healthy use and became dependent. It helped my anxiety for a while then it started “helping” my anxiety in that my anxiety worsened and I started using it at inappropriate times and situations. I highly advise folks couple weed use with therapy or at least get guidance from anexperienced and stable friend on use. I now have a much healthier relationship with it but I have to be careful; it can make paranoid overthinking much worse, especially at night with insomnia. On days when I go, “I’m giving myself permission to chill the heck out and do something creative” though, a small hit from a pen or a CBD gummy can be just the ticket.

    For real though I am real life Dorothy, even today, weed not therapy fixed trying to be perfect and never hurt or disappoint anyone. (But the latter did give me techniques for coping).

    1. Wilde

      *That should read “weed nor therapy”, very different

      Also a reroll while I’m here

  49. RF

    Tomorrow’s strip: “If you’re a cop, you have to tell me.”

    IYKYK

    1. David DeLaney

      they say it simultaneously

  50. Proto

    Look Dorothy, if you’re planning on being the President, and you’re having these freak outs, just jump to the next step and hire a press secretary to get all the awkward out of your mouth.

  51. poyo

    in my experience weed will either be the greatest thing to happen to dorothy or it will ruin her life. or the more likely it will swell up her sinuses and she will neve touch it again lmao

  52. Mr. Random

    ….. so this is why my friends from college were so adamant that I should smoke with them.

  53. John

    I am pretty sure it’s therapy Dorothy needs, not drugs or alcohol.

    1. a/snow/mous/e

      cannabis probably wouldn’t hurt, though. but yeah, it’s certainly not a long-term solution in a non-weed state. but still, baby steps

  54. Rabisch

    Poor Dorothy. So good and kind that sometimes she seems so dumb. Jennifer was awful with her and she feels sorry for having somehow insulted her? No! She’s more and more on the verge. Also, tobacco is also an option. But be sincere with her therapist may be the true solution.

  55. Mancuso

    Yeah… Billie’s still gonna have to do a lot more redeemin’ than four panels, but okay.

  56. Amós Batista

    Must be nice to have access to these drugs …

  57. Daibhid C

    My feelings about all mind-altering drugs (including alcohol) remain “Sure, because the problem with my brain is that it’s just too reliable. I would like to intentionally make it more erratic, as a way to relax.”

    1. Daibhid C

      Okay, it has just occured to me that the prescription medicine that does make my brain more reliable, at least to the extent that I can sleep and stuff, is technically a “mind-altering drug”, even if that’s not what people normally mean by the phrase

    2. yak

      “less reliable” or “erratic” is not always a result of taking a mind-altering drug. For instance many people take stimulants (e.g. nicotine, caffeine, amphetamines) specifically so they can focus, and many people take depressants (e.g. alcohol, nyquil) specifically so they can calm down. People take SSRI’s specifically so they will be less depressed. Usually you take drugs because your mind is in some kind of undesired or less-desired state and the effect of the drug is to get your mind into some more-desired state. Whether the initial state is “more reliable” and the desired state is “less reliable” is not uniform among drugs, drug users, or the particular context of the particular time and place that the user takes the drug.

      Additionally the action of a drug is almost always dependent on your state of mind and the social/physical context you are in while under its influence. Marijuana can spike your anxiety or it can help you relax. Hence why “just smoke some weed!” is usually terrible advice for people that have never smoked weed before.

      1. David DeLaney

        and then there’s those like me; I am taking an honest-to-god on-the-restricted-list anti-depressant [*] because it lessens and muffles the ACTUAL NERVE PAIN i get from neuropathy, and no, nobody knows why it does that, but it does

        as a side-effect, after several years, I found out my mind is now a hollow shell over depression, solely held up by this drug, where before I was mildly manic almost all the time. but can’t stop won’t stop pain clowns will eat me, you know

        –Dave, [*] and it’s restricted because 4 percent- one in twenty-fucking-FIVE, of the population – can possibly get high off this. arrrgh Puritan antieuphoria legal nonsense

      2. Daibhid C

        “Whether the initial state is “more reliable” and the desired state is “less reliable” is not uniform among drugs, drug users, or the particular context of the particular time and place that the user takes the drug.”

        Yeah, probably. Looking at my original post, I think I wasn’t entirely clear. It should start something like “My feelings about me, personally, taking mind-altering drugs…”

        (Oh, and I’d forgotten about caffeine, which the doctor told me I needed to cut down to help with anxiety, as a result of which I now drink decaf tea, but have not reduced my consumption of Coke and Irn Bru in any way. So, yeah, I’m on two mind-altering drugs, one of which is busy undoing the work of the other.)

    3. C.T. Phipps

      For a lot of people, their mind being stressed and erratic is WHY they take a substance to affect it.

  58. Bo

    For one milisecond before she started apologizing, I’m wondering if Jennifer found Dorothy hot, there

  59. TheKelliestKelly

    Honestly, pretty proud of Jennifer for still being sober. I forget if that’s already been established post time skip but it makes me happy even if I don’t like who she’s been lately

  60. Makkabee

    “What you need is weed.”

    What you need is a thneed! A thneed is a something that EVERYONE needs!

    December approaches. It’s gray and it’s cloudy.
    A swimsuit’s too skimpy. A parka’s too dowdy.
    You need garments that are tres chic yet protecty.
    Well the Onceler’s got one thing that’s simply perfecty!

    The Onceler has one thing he’s sure that you’ll love.
    It’s a shirt! It’s a hat! It’s a sock! It’s a glove!
    What’s this great garment that’s certain to please?
    It’s a thneed! A thneed’s just what your family needs!

    Tougher than Rayon! Softer than silk!
    Resistant to staining from spilled chocolate milk!
    Made from the tufts of the truffula trees,
    The feel of the thneed on your skin’s sure to please.

    Not dry-clean only! Strong yet light-weight!
    Incredible bargain at $3.98!
    Warm as a smile! Sheds rain like a duck!
    If you don’t buy seven they’ll think you’re a schmuck!

    But wait! It gets better! It gets better yet!
    Now you can order thneeds by internet!
    Supplies are quite limited, they soon will be gone,
    So type dub-dub-dubya-dot-Onceler-dot-com!

    They chopped down the last truffula yesterday.
    So order right now ‘fore our stock’s sold away.
    The factory’s closed and they’ve locked up the door.
    If you don’t get yours now there won’t be any more.

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