I had the exact opposite experience. I only began to grok a lot of the STEM stuff once I took up regular weed smoking, around the age of 16-18. I did note an in

I had the exact opposite experience. I only began to grok a lot of the STEM stuff once I took up regular weed smoking, around the age of 16-18. I did note an initial period in which it was disorienting and novel to be "high", but this subsided. It helps me focus, It helps me cognate by reducing the noise and allowing me to be interested in whatever I put in front of my face. There is a euphoric effect upon taking a puff off the pipe that never goes away (not in over 30 years so far...) This euphoria is associated with learning, focus, getting work done, and a generally positive work cycle of reward. I do not own a television. I have many hobbies, and managed to live from performing original music in over 50 countries for approximately a decade. I study API's and tutorials after dev work before sleeping... I've never been able to be a couch potato, although online social activity (what is this? expression? I'm not sure...useless for sure...) certainly robs a lot of my time and I wish I would have the self-discipline to get away more, so that's all for now lol :D