Elon Musk doesn't really do "quiet." Whether he’s launching a stainless steel rocket or buying a social media platform on a whim, everything happens at max volume. So, when reports started swirling about his alleged drug use, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. But beneath the sensationalist headlines and the frantic X posts, there’s a much more nuanced story about mental health, corporate governance, and how the world’s richest man handles what he calls "chemical tides."
Honestly, the question of whether Elon Musk uses ketamine isn't a "gotcha" anymore. He’s already answered it. But the way he answered it—and the fallout that followed with his boards at Tesla and SpaceX—tells us a lot about the fine line between therapeutic medicine and "party drug" optics.
Does Elon Musk Use Ketamine? The Short Answer
Yes, he has admitted to it. But he’s very specific about how and why. In a now-famous (and pretty awkward) interview with Don Lemon in early 2024, Musk confirmed that he has a prescription for ketamine from a "real doctor." He told Lemon that he uses a small amount roughly every other week to deal with a "negative chemical state" that feels like depression.
It wasn’t just a one-off comment. Musk has defended the practice on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting that his use of the drug is actually a net positive for his investors. His logic? If it helps him stay productive and keep Tesla’s valuation higher than the rest of the auto industry combined, then he should probably keep taking it.
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The WSJ Bombshell vs. Musk’s Defense
While Musk frames his use as strictly medical, a massive report from the Wall Street Journal in early 2024 painted a much wilder picture. The article alleged that Musk had used various substances—including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms—at private parties around the world.
According to the Journal, witnesses claimed Musk took ketamine recreationally at events where guests had to sign NDAs or hand over their phones. This is where the tension lies. There is a huge gap between "I take a doctor-prescribed dose for my mental health" and "I’m using dissociatives at high-end parties."
Musk’s response was classic Elon. He pointed out that after he famously smoked weed on Joe Rogan's podcast in 2018, NASA made him undergo three years of random drug testing. His claim? "Not even trace quantities" of drugs or alcohol were ever found.
Why It Matters for Tesla and SpaceX
You might wonder why anyone cares what a billionaire does in his spare time. If you’re a regular person, a prescription is your business. If you’re Elon Musk, your brain is essentially a trillion-dollar asset.
- SpaceX Contracts: SpaceX is a major defense contractor. The federal government has very strict "drug-free workplace" requirements. If Musk were found to be using illegal substances, it could technically jeopardize billions in contracts.
- The "Key Man" Risk: Tesla investors often worry that the company is too dependent on Musk. If he’s incapacitated or making erratic decisions due to substance use, the stock price usually takes a hit.
- Board Pressure: Reports have surfaced suggesting some board members felt "pressured" to use drugs with Musk to stay in his inner circle. Whether that's true or just disgruntled hearsay, it creates a massive headache for corporate oversight.
Prescription vs. Recreational: The Science
Ketamine is in a weird spot legally and socially right now. Originally used as an anesthetic for humans and horses, it’s become a breakthrough treatment for "treatment-resistant depression."
Medical ketamine—the kind Musk says he uses—is typically administered as an IV infusion or a nasal spray (Esketamine) in a controlled setting. It works by targeting glutamate, a chemical messenger in the brain, which can "reset" neural pathways in a way traditional SSRIs like Prozac can't.
The recreational side is different. People use it for its dissociative effects, often referred to as falling into a "K-hole." At high, unsupervised doses, it can cause bladder damage (ketamine cystitis) and significant cognitive impairment. This is exactly what the New York Times alleged in a 2025 report, claiming Musk’s use had become so frequent it was causing physical health issues—a claim Musk vehemently denied as "lying their ass off."
The 2025 Update: Where Things Stand Now
As of mid-2025, the narrative has shifted from "Is he doing it?" to "Is he still doing it?" After a bizarre appearance in the Oval Office where Musk had a visible black eye—which he claimed was from play-wrestling with his son—the drug rumors flared up again.
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Musk took to X to clear the air, stating: "To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs!" He clarified that while he used prescription ketamine years ago to get out of "dark mental holes," he hasn't used it recently. This seems to be his current stance: it was a tool he used when he needed it, but it's not a permanent fixture of his lifestyle.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that ketamine is just a "party drug." In reality, the medical community is increasingly seeing it as a legitimate tool for high-functioning individuals dealing with extreme stress. The problem isn't the drug itself; it's the lack of transparency and the potential for "dose creep" when someone has as much power and as little oversight as Musk.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Whether you're an investor or just someone following the drama, there are a few real takeaways here:
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- Watch the Execution, Not the Noise: As Musk says, Wall Street cares about results. If Tesla and SpaceX are hitting their targets, the board is unlikely to stage an intervention.
- The Mental Health Conversation: Musk’s openness about "chemical tides" has actually helped destigmatize the use of psychedelics and dissociatives for depression, even if his delivery is often chaotic.
- Corporate Governance is Changing: This saga has forced companies to rethink what "fitness for duty" looks like for a celebrity CEO. Expect more "lifestyle" clauses in executive contracts moving forward.
If you’re concerned about the legalities of therapeutic ketamine, always look for clinics that provide medical supervision. Self-medicating based on a billionaire's X feed is generally a bad idea. For now, it looks like Elon has closed the chapter on his ketamine use, but with him, the story is never truly over.