Elon Musk defends drug usage: ‘I use Ketamine because…’

Elon Musk defends ketamine use for mood swings and performance enhancement, amid concerns from Wall Street.

Published on: Mar 18, 2024, 21:34:55 IST

By HT News Desk

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Elon Musk defended his use of ketamine drugs, saying that it helps alleviate periods of low mood and is beneficial for investors in Tesla Inc. and his other ventures.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves as he leaves the Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars after a visit in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. ((AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi))

In an interview to former CNN anchor Don Lemon that streamed on YouTube, Musk said, “what matters is execution”.

“From an investor standpoint, if there is something I’m taking, I should keep taking it,” he said, referring to Tesla’s success.

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Why does Elon Musk take ketamine drug?

Musk revealed that he uses ketamine periodically, as prescribed, to address what he terms "chemical tides" that result in symptoms akin to depression.

Concerns about Musk's recreational drug use within his companies surfaced, according to a Wall Street Journal article in January. The billionaire responded that he hadn't failed drug tests and said he should continue whatever was aiding his performance.

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What is Ketamine?

Ketamine, which doctors can prescribe to alleviate pain and depression, acts as a sedative at higher doses. However, it also carries risks, including hallucinations and potential overdose leading to unconsciousness and slowed breathing, as per the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ketamine is often administered in a medical environment, or its close variant, Spravato, is available as a nasal spray specifically for treatment-resistant depression. However, Musk didn't delve into further specifics regarding his prescription during the interview.

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X cancelled a planned collaboration with Lemon after the interview. Speaking on the Pivot podcast with Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher, Lemon said that Musk was displeased with his line of questioning, particularly about ketamine use.

Musk later expressed his dissatisfaction on ‘X’, saying that he disapproved of the approach taken by the Don Lemon Show, which he likened to “basically just CNN, but on social media.”

(Inputs from Bloomberg)

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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