This is a ball-and-stick molecular image (found on Wikipedia) of an olanzapine (Zyprexa) molecule. It’s the medication prescribed, by my psychiatrist, to treat Brief Psychotic Disorder, which I’ve had, secretly, for years.

When I take my meds as prescribed, I’m an atheist and a skeptic. In this state, I can easily handle many science and mathematics problems, well enough to teach at the high school level in both subject fields. If I miss a dose or two, however, one of the first set of symptoms that appears is religious beliefs, seemingly coming out of nowhere.

Later, when I’m medicated again, it becomes clear that those religious beliefs were actually delusional. I don’t think I’ve ever had a non-delusional religious belief.

I try, hard, not to miss doses.