Witkacy experimented with drugs as a means of breaking through objective reality. He carefully documented the influence of various drugs on the artistic process.

Narcotics: Nicotine, Alcohol, Peyote, Morphine, and Ether (1932):

'Since by means of 'free artistic creativity', ie, 'a little birdie singing on a branch', I have been unable to do anything for society or for the nation, I have decided, after a series of experiments, to share with the public my views on narcotics, starting with the most commonplace, tobacco, and ending with what is surely the strangest, peyote (for which I reserve a special place). I hope to offer at least some small help to the powers of good in the battle against these frightful enemies of mankind (after war, poverty, and disease). Perhaps this work too (owing to the tone in which bitter truths are formulated) will be taken facetiously or negatively, as was the case with my aesthetics, philosophy, plays, essential portraits, early compositions in oils, and other 'free productions'. I officially declare that I am writing seriously and that I finally wish to do something useful, but there is no way of dealing with idiots and dishonest people, as I have had occasion to become convinced during the course of my rather sorry career.'

tr. Daniel Gerould, from The Witkiezicz Reader (Northwestern University Press, 1992)

Witkacy with a model 'The Injection of Narcotics'