A growing number of people in France are using psychotropic drugs—medications that affect mental processes—raising questions about the broader impact of widespread mental health treatment. According to a 2014 Health Barometer, 6% of the French population used antidepressants that year, while 10% used anxiolytics, drugs that reduce anxiety. When considering all psychotropic drugs, 35% of people aged 15 to 85 have taken them at least once in their lives, with the rate rising to 42% among women. The use of antidepressants among children and adolescents increased by 62% between 2014 and 2021, according to a report by the High Council for Family, Childhood and Age (HCFEA). One person shared how antidepressants have helped them manage daily life challenges, including family responsibilities and personal health issues. This experience is not unique, as many of their friends also use psychotropic medications. This has led to a broader question: is society moving toward a future where such drugs become a common way to cope with life’s difficulties? The increasing use of psychotropic drugs for comfort, rather than strict medical necessity, has sparked ethical debates about regulating emotions through chemical means. While treating mental disorders with medication is widely accepted, the broader use of these drugs for general well-being is more controversial. Discussions focus on ethical concerns, the potential for profit-driven prescribing, and the balance between individual needs and societal well-being. A book titled How Not to Be a Slave to the System? by Alexandre, published by Allary Éditions, explores these themes in depth. A play titled My Heart, based on the life of Irène Frachon, was performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris until April 1, 2017. Another book titled Désaliénation, published by Éditions du Seuil in 2024, also addresses related issues of mental health and societal pressures.