Buddhism says we shouldnt use intoxicants and I never thought nothing of the fact that Ive smoked cigarettes for the dozen years Ive been Buddhist. A week ago I tried a little experiment to see what it would be like to cut out all drugs for a day which where nicotine and caffeine and I got to say it makes a huge difference. Havent smoked or had caffeine in a week and cant ever see myself going back since meditation and yoga are a big part of my life; it would be to big of a sacrifice. So this is a heads up if you are really serious about yoga. Even the drugs that seem to not be a big deal could be hindering you greatly.
Smoking just destroys your whole body and its great that you quit. keep it up!
Food. Air. Water.all these things are mind altering substances. So I agree in part, do not destroy the body as much as possible. But again, what is an intoxicant and what does it mean to be intoxicated.
Depends what you mean by drugs. In the last chapter Patanjali identifies drugs as one of the means via which ones gains Yogic powers/attainments. In Shamanic cultures like Native American culture, the use of drugs for spiritual purposes is pretty common.
All depends if you know what your doing. 
sunyata samsara
since I am assuming when you say drugs you mean a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body, or, any chemical compound used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease or other abnormal condition, or a substance used recreationally for its effects on the central nervous system, such as a narcotic.
I will say that Drugs and Yoga do not mix if you are talking about a a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or a substance used recreationally for its effects on the central nervous system, such as a narcotic that was not prescriped by a doctor for health reasons I agree.
And although a chemical compound used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease may technically not mix aith Yoga it may be necessary for survival so I would not stop taking it just to do Yoga.
[QUOTE=sunyata samsara;74982]Buddhism says we shouldnt use intoxicants and I never thought nothing of the fact that Ive smoked cigarettes for the dozen years Ive been Buddhist. A week ago I tried a little experiment to see what it would be like to cut out all drugs for a day which where nicotine and caffeine and I got to say it makes a huge difference. Havent smoked or had caffeine in a week and cant ever see myself going back since meditation and yoga are a big part of my life; it would be to big of a sacrifice. So this is a heads up if you are really serious about yoga. Even the drugs that seem to not be a big deal could be hindering you greatly.[/QUOTE]
Its same with the city air, its full of smog. You wont advance if you live in city…its will hold you down big time.
Hhhmm…very interesting and deep topic. While most intoxicats are classified as tamasic many Psychotropic substances have an incredible capacity to open the chakras and awaken the higher functions of the mind. They can be appropriate for some at certain stages of sadhana but ultimately only open the door to what can be realized naturally through self-abidance and inquiry upon the Self.
Indeed and well put.
A near-death experience can have an “incredible capacity to open the chakras and awaken the higher functions” as well but we’re not all rushing off to have one.
[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;75300]A near-death experience can have an “incredible capacity to open the chakras and awaken the higher functions” as well but we’re not all rushing off to have one.[/QUOTE]
LOL. Yes.
[QUOTE=Avatar186;75085]Food. Air. Water.all these things are mind altering substances. So I agree in part, do not destroy the body as much as possible. But again, what is an intoxicant and what does it mean to be intoxicated.[/QUOTE]
I figure anything that numbs your nervous system or alters it from its natural state.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;75090]Depends what you mean by drugs. In the last chapter Patanjali identifies drugs as one of the means via which ones gains Yogic powers/attainments. In Shamanic cultures like Native American culture, the use of drugs for spiritual purposes is pretty common.[/QUOTE]
Psychedelics are a different story if they are used in the right way. I have one tattoo and its of the left hand tantric path over my heart which is a backward swastika. Im very pro psychedelics obviously. Honestly if it wasnt for psychedelics I would still be a materialistic atheist. I KNOW cannabis is the sacrament. They can be used to just numb yourself also like alot of people I know smoke ganja constantly and have no idea that its like steroids for meditation; they just smoke to relieve stress. I translate the Buddhist meaning as to not become dependent on a drug so psychedelics would be fine as long as you are not dependent on them. But just saying dependent is a slippery slope since I never felt dependent on nicotine and caffeine yet I did them daily.
Anything transitory is but an illusion.
That which is transitional is only an illusion if it obscures or veils your perception.
IE. Those who self identify with their feelings cannot see beyond them thus they are an illusion. Yet those who know the nature of the heart are not veiled by emotion. For they see beyond the emotion.
Thus, this is why the accomplished tantric “plays” with reality. For he sees beyond the transitional, and is thus not trapped by it, and thus! he can play with it!
That which we cannot see beyond serves as an illusion/veil.
Reality is a grand illusion! It is real ! As all things experienced are real!
Even the illusion/veil is real! yet see beyond it! and It is still real! yet you are not longer chained. see beyond reality, and only then does reality become your playground 
[QUOTE=sunyata samsara;74982]Havent smoked or had caffeine in a week and cant ever see myself going back since meditation and yoga are a big part of my life; it would be to big of a sacrifice.[/QUOTE]
Yay! glad that you did. Eeverything but air and water is a poison in some way;)
Air you breath.
Carbon dioxide is created through the oxidization of oxygen. It is.metabolic waste.
Thus the air u breath may be polluted and the lungs may filter this. But even breathing the purest air, ur body will still create this poison.
Water is a natural corrosive. If the water is clean, it is good.
[QUOTE=Avatar186;75345]That which is transitional is only an illusion if it obscures or veils your perception.
IE. Those who self identify with their feelings cannot see beyond them thus they are an illusion. Yet those who know the nature of the heart are not veiled by emotion. For they see beyond the emotion.
Thus, this is why the accomplished tantric “plays” with reality. For he sees beyond the transitional, and is thus not trapped by it, and thus! he can play with it!
That which we cannot see beyond serves as an illusion/veil.
Reality is a grand illusion! It is real ! As all things experienced are real!
Even the illusion/veil is real! yet see beyond it! and It is still real! yet you are not longer chained. see beyond reality, and only then does reality become your playground :)[/QUOTE]
Yoga emptied the cup, Tantra enabled swimming in the ocean of intoxicants without attachments/desires and the philosophy of Advaita resonated however it wasn?t till dissolving even these notions that simplicity revealed itself; I am that I am the world is that it is, poetry of the mind is fine until it entangles one?s existence.
That which binds can free.
That which frees can bind.
All in the “how” things are/used
Anyway.
Anyway.