I read an article not too long ago about how higher level educated people are less happy than their non-educated counterparts. It went in depth to say that when intelligent people are presented with an obstacle, they weight the moral, social, personal, future, and other impacts of their decision before choosing. Needless to say, much effort and thought is put into what they may choose to do or not do. The article assumes that the lesser educated people tend to ignore potential consequences of their actions and proceed to follow the path to whatever makes them happy at that moment.

Perhaps that is the key: the moment. I don't believe I am wrong to say that the aspiring intellectual often lives to achieve their dream of their future.They avoid commitments and decisions that may deviate them from their path or burden their journey. Conscious (and perhaps unconscious) decisions are made everyday to ensure that they achieve their own idea of success.

Is there a connection between the well educated person's perceived lack of happiness and substance use? Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are used by many people, educated or otherwise, but the reason they are used is what is intriguing. The dulling of the senses and decision making capabilities of most of these substances allow their user to forgo their natural logical thinking and simply follow their emotional and instinctual desires. The result: a release from their organized and structured life if only for a moment. 

I cannot argue against having done exactly just that.