Throughout the NIRVANA discography, in which a huge overaching theme is that of water (especially in NEVERMIND) chemicals are carefully investigated in the lyrics (especially in the debut album BLEACH) showing distinction and clear sensitivity against ecologically harmful, synthetic chemicals such as bleach or those found in commercial perfumes (I mention perfumes because water — a common theme in their work — is symbolic of perfume). This sensitivity against chemicals includes complex chain reactions of their damaging effects, as opposed to alcohol as a biodegradable and non-toxic chemical.

Now, the discography is rich with concern about chemicals in the water and health of the ecology and water table, as this is the key to the survival of the fish population, but especially their safety for human consumption (food security). In Mexican Seafood, for example, this was issue was expanded on by addressing human-waste management crisis in third world countries (which Mexico was at the time of the song release), clarifying how sickness can result from eating seafood which was contaminated this way. This was emphasized in the song Hairspray Queen from the album INCESTICIDE with the lyric "A fish full of garbage".

Vegetalismo is the central practice of Ayahuasca psychedelic plant medicine tradition of the ancient Shipibo-Conibo medicine culture of Peru. Although many traditions are important, none of them can be practiced without Vegetalismo. The term is commonly called Ayahuasca dieta. It is a meditative spiritual retreat involving very limited diet, typically allowing only fish as the one protein source when 'master plants' are integrated with the practice. 

'Master plants' of the Ayahuasca traditions — non-psychedelic plants aside from Ayahuasca which are consumed at the beginning of some dietas — are absolutely essential to the tradtional process of becoming a facilitator of Ayahuasca ceremonies. The addition of master plants will change the length of time of the practice and the timing of when and how much Ayahuasca ceremonies occur. Therefore, without food security of fish availability, all Ayahuasca traditions would become equally insecure or threatened. 

In the hit single Heart Shaped Box, Kurt Cobain makes reference to his astrological sign, Pisces, in the lyrics "She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak". The mention of weakness is reminiscent of the physical and emotional weakness often experienced during Vegetalismo practice, due to fasting. Ideally, a Vegetalista will only eat the type of rare fish which is vegetarian, which connects so well with the song Something In The Way.

Something In The Way contemplates the psychology of vegetarianism, also in such a way which reflects the long intensive periods of isolation which are core to Vegetalista dieta practice.

In a certain ancient style of Vegetalismo which is done deeper in the Amazon jungle, the only water available is the drippings from the canopy, similar to the description in this song ("drippings from the cieling"). And the vegetarian fish is chosen for Vegetalismo because of its feelings as a less aggressive fish - the vegetarian human-psychology described in the song. This all ties in beautifully with Kurt's Pisces sign which is a water sign, related to emotion.