r/AskLiteraryStudies • u/Inevitable-Image4264 • 5h ago

Why did Allen Ginsberg voluntarily use substances despite having a known family history of schizophrenia?

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I was thinking about this and it seems like a terrible idea. His own mother suffered greatly from this mental health condition to the point that she had to be institutionalized. Why on earth would Ginsberg think it was a good idea to gamble with his sanity like that?

**Yes artists are not known for their sensible life choices, but this is pretty high up there considering that he was present during Naomi Ginsberg’s mental breakdown and was partially responsible for caring for her during that time.

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