Does Elon Musk Use Ketamine? Exploring the Facts and Controversies

Introduction

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is no stranger to controversy—especially regarding his mental health and drug use. In recent years, reports and interviews have confirmed that Musk uses ketamine, a powerful dissociative anesthetic, to manage depression. But how much does he take? Is it medically supervised? And could it be affecting his increasingly erratic public behavior?

This article examines Musk’s ketamine use, its medical benefits, potential side effects, and the broader debate around his cognitive health.

Elon Musk’s Ketamine Use: What We Know

1. Musk’s Public Admission

In a March 2024 interview with Don Lemon, Musk confirmed he has a prescription for ketamine to treat depression. He stated:

“There are times when I have a sort of negative chemical state in my brain, like depression… and ketamine is helpful for getting one out of a negative frame of mind.”

Musk claimed he takes “a small amount once every other week” under medical supervision and denied abusing the drug, arguing that excessive use would impair his work performance .

2. Recreational Use Allegations

Despite Musk’s claims of controlled use, The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker reported that associates have raised concerns about his recreational ketamine use, alongside other substances like LSD and cocaine .

• In 2021, Musk allegedly took ketamine recreationally with his brother Kimbal Musk in Miami .
• Former Tesla board members reportedly expressed concerns about his erratic behavior, including slurred speech and impulsive decisions .

3. Investor and Public Reactions

Musk has defended his ketamine use, arguing that investors should want him to keep taking it if it improves his productivity:

“Tesla is worth about as much as the rest of the car industry combined… from an investor standpoint, if there’s something I’m taking, I should keep doing it.”

However, critics worry that chronic ketamine use could contribute to his unpredictable leadership, including late-night social media rants and controversial business decisions .

Ketamine: Medical Benefits vs. Risks

1. Ketamine as a Depression Treatment

Ketamine was originally an anesthetic but has gained traction as a rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression:

• FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato) is used in clinical settings .
• Studies show relief within hours, unlike traditional SSRIs that take weeks .

2. Potential Side Effects

However, frequent or high-dose ketamine use has been linked to:

• Memory impairment
• Delusional thinking and grandiosity (e.g., believing in secret messages)
• Bladder damage and addiction

A 2010 study by Celia Morgan found that even infrequent users (3x/month) showed cognitive distortions, while heavy users (20x/month) had severe dissociation .

3. Is Musk’s Behavior Linked to Ketamine?

Some experts speculate that Musk’s increasingly erratic actions—such as chainsaw-wielding at CPAC and conspiracy-laden tweets—could align with ketamine’s dissociative effects .

However, others argue his behavior may stem from sleep deprivation, stress, or political ideology rather than drug use alone .

Conclusion: Does Elon Musk’s Ketamine Use Matter?

Elon Musk’s ketamine use highlights both the promise and perils of the drug:
✅ Medical benefits for depression are well-documented.
⚠ Recreational misuse risks cognitive impairment and erratic behavior.

While Musk insists his usage is controlled, media leaks and insider reports suggest a more complex reality. Whether ketamine affects his decision-making remains debated—but with his influence over Tesla, SpaceX, and U.S. politics, the stakes are undeniably high.

FAQ Section (Schema-Friendly)

Q: How often does Elon Musk take ketamine?
A: Musk claims “once every other week”, but reports suggest more frequent recreational use .

Q: Is ketamine FDA-approved for depression?
A: Only esketamine (Spravato) is approved; regular ketamine is used off-label .

Q: Can ketamine cause delusions?
A: Yes, heavy use is linked to grandiose thinking and memory problems .