Ken Kesey, a significant figure in American literature and the counterculture movement of the 1960s, frequently used poignant and thoughtful humor when discussing his experiences. One of his well-known quotes sums up how excessive drug use can have a significant impact on a person's life.

Kesey's words depict a person who has had far too much of something pleasurable but ultimately harmful. Picture yourself in front of a run-down, deserted house that was once a hive of activity, filled with music and laughter. Only the empty shell of what once occupied this space remains after the memories that once filled it were destroyed by fire.

Kesey's observation is representative of a larger theme in his writing: the investigation of consciousness using unusual techniques, such as hallucinogenic drugs. Although some people may find these experiences enlightening or transformative, there are serious risks and repercussions associated with them. The quote alludes to the loss that can result from such deep immersion—memories vanishing, clarity eroding, and the implications of the real world becoming more difficult to ignore.

Kesey has persisted in talking about how these decisions affect a person's life in both his writing and public appearances. His observations serve as a warning about the temptation and perils of going too far in pursuit of novel experiences or enlightenment.