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Yeah sadly not always true. Some people go get lasting problems from certain drugs. They can provoke psychiatric deteriorations. Examples: potent cannabinoids, amphetamines, high dose psychedelics. Lots to be said about set, setting and underlying vulnerabilities.

Still probably a healthy mantra to recite to anyone in the midst of overwhelm as most people a fine, and its a caring act.

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My understanding is that people’s experiences can be toxic and ptsd producing—it isn’t the biological action of the drugs themselves (high dose amphetamines as the exception).

Are you invoking mind body dualism?

Or referring to the limits of modern biology?

Both, I suppose. It comes down to why we have biology vs physics -- there are emergent phenomena that don't make sense to study only at the level of more reductive elements. Yes, chemistry is important in experience -- or taking chemicals wouldn't effect our experience. But we can clearly understand how an experience is psychologically damaging without haven't a clue as to its chemical underpinnings. And the point is that drug experiences can be damaging -- even if the drugs themselves are non-toxic.

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