This song isn't about drugs at all...
As people have already said, there are 46 chromosomes in human DNA - the song is about evolving to having an extra two chromosomes, explaining the 'shedding skin'. When he says "I", he is talking about us as an entire, and unified, race. He's talking about people clinging to being the same old repetitions of classic human behaviours, and not allowing ourselves to properly better ourselves as a race (picking scabs - stopping the 'healing' process).
My interpretation of the shadow symbolism is that we have to embrace the darker parts of ourselves in order to see the light; to be conscious of our destructive paths so we can aim for a better day. It could also mean a temporary sacrificial act to secure a long term improvement (stepping through my shadow, coming out the other side...)
This song isn't about drugs at all... As people have already said, there are 46 chromosomes in human DNA - the song is about evolving to having an extra two chromosomes, explaining the 'shedding skin'. When he says "I", he is talking about us as an entire, and unified, race. He's talking about people clinging to being the same old repetitions of classic human behaviours, and not allowing ourselves to properly better ourselves as a race (picking scabs - stopping the 'healing' process). My interpretation of the shadow symbolism is that we have to embrace the darker parts of ourselves in order to see the light; to be conscious of our destructive paths so we can aim for a better day. It could also mean a temporary sacrificial act to secure a long term improvement (stepping through my shadow, coming out the other side...)