Elon Musk: ‘I Tried Drugs, Not Now’

Elon Musk’s reported relationship with drugs—especially the recent allegations around ketamine, psychedelics, and other substances—has stirred up significant controversy in media circles, corporate boardrooms, and public discourse. The combination of Musk’s remarkable entrepreneurial leadership, his high-profile public persona, and these drug-related claims creates a tangled web that calls for careful examination. This complexity is heightened by the juxtaposition of his acknowledged mental health struggles and unconventional therapeutic approaches alongside concerns about professional responsibility and corporate governance.

At the heart of the debate are recent investigative reports by outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. These reports describe Musk as someone who has engaged in intense recreational drug use, including ketamine, LSD, ecstasy, and stimulants like Adderall. Details include references to Musk carrying a “box of pills” daily, with up to 20 different medications, some reportedly prescribed for depression and other issues. More alarming were accounts of severe physical consequences, such as bladder problems allegedly triggered by heavy ketamine use, which sparked public backlash and media personalities expressing discomfort and concern. These revelations paint an unusually raw portrait of a tech titan wrestling with medication and substance use amid intense professional and media scrutiny.

Musk’s reaction to these allegations has been an emphatic denial of current illegal drug use. On his social media platform, X, he declared, “I am NOT taking drugs!” while clarifying that his ketamine use was limited to a period “a few years ago.” He argued that many media stories were exaggerated or outright fabrications. Musk has characterized some drug use—particularly ketamine—as part of a therapeutic regimen addressing depression, which is consistent with emerging psychiatric research supporting ketamine’s potential benefits for treatment-resistant depression. Nevertheless, he stresses that any such drug use does not adversely affect his cognitive capabilities or impair his decision-making as the head of Tesla, SpaceX, or his roles advising government entities.

The unease around Musk’s alleged substance use extends beyond headlines into the highest echelons of corporate management. Tesla and SpaceX board members have reportedly expressed strong apprehension about the potential risks Musk’s behavior might pose to company stability, investor confidence, and regulatory compliance. Insiders reveal that some board members have pressed Musk to address these concerns more seriously, with at least one long-serving Tesla director stepping down partly due to frustration over this ongoing issue. This boardroom friction was notably underscored by reports of a “cringeworthy” all-hands meeting at SpaceX, where Musk’s allegedly slurred speech and incoherence fueled speculation about his state during important corporate events.

Political contexts have further complicated the public discourse surrounding Musk’s drug use. Reports implied his alleged substance intake coincided with his consultancy during former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, as well as appearances related to government business. Such timing raised difficult questions about professionalism and the potential influence of personal behavior on public affairs. When directly questioned, Trump denied any awareness of Musk’s purported drug use, adding a layer of uncertainty and fueling media fascination with the saga.

What stands out in Musk’s approach to discussing these issues is a candid willingness to acknowledge his mental health challenges and past drug use, diverging from the typical corporate culture of denial and damage control. His openness about using substances like ketamine for therapeutic purposes reflects a growing conversation about non-traditional treatments in high-pressure executive environments. Yet, this transparency blurs lines between vulnerability and reputation management, leaving public perception in flux. Musk’s highly visible personal narrative becomes a prism reflecting broader themes of leadership under pressure and the stigmatization of mental health struggles in Silicon Valley’s elite circles.

This episode also reconnects with Musk’s earlier, well-documented encounters with drug use in the public eye. Recall his 2018 appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he smoked marijuana, an event that triggered federal scrutiny of his security clearance at SpaceX. Such incidents establish a history of tension between Musk’s public unpredictability and regulatory expectations, situating the recent reports as part of an ongoing pattern rather than an isolated challenge.

The implications of these allegations are multifaceted. They compel reflection on ethical responsibilities and personal conduct expected from leaders of tech giants entrusted with significant societal impact. They spotlight the pressures on mental health management for those navigating high-stakes, high-visibility roles where personal vulnerability collides with public expectations. And they underscore the influential role media plays in shaping complex narratives around privacy, accountability, and leadership. Despite Musk’s firm denials and assertions of effective leadership, the unease echoed in boardrooms and public forums indicates a persistent tension that may shape governance practices and executive wellness policies moving forward.

In essence, Elon Musk’s alleged drug use transcends tabloid fodder to reveal the challenges at the intersection of human frailty, fame, and the relentless demands of contemporary technological leadership. The varied responses—from Musk’s candid yet guarded disclosures to corporate concerns and media portrayals—highlight a nuanced dilemma confronting the modern executive: how to balance personal struggles with the imperatives of professional stewardship under intense scrutiny. How this narrative unfolds will likely influence not only Musk’s legacy but also ongoing debates about corporate transparency, mental health advocacy, and leadership accountability in today’s fast-evolving technological landscape.