Many people draw their medical conclusions from advertisements and Reddit message boards. And initially, possessing the euphoria of the paid actors in pharmaceutical commercials frolicking in Tahiti seems pretty appealing. After all, it was their drug infusion that apparently rescued them from their moderate-to-severe condition and has now allowed them to vacation indefinitely!

But then, they start listing SIDE EFFECTS, and those unfamiliar with the rigor of adverse event reporting are instantly alarmed. Rather than further evaluating the risk-benefit and the context, folks believe that even being in the same vicinity of this medication will make them start sprouting hair like a Tibetan yak or lead to a swarm of flesh-eating arthropods descending upon them in apocalyptic fury.

Unfortunately, many people who would probably add some life to their years with the help of certain medications miss out because of unwarranted fears. Similarly, some folks never experience the beauty of exotic vacation destinations due to the perceived dangers of traveling. And many people miss out on opportunities for friendships because of the potential for rejection. That’s sad.

So be wise and be discerning, but don’t let the slight chance of tragedy, embarrassment, or weird hair growth impede you from exuberantly frolicking with friends on the coast of somewhere beautiful. As William Wallace said in Braveheart:

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.”