Elon Musk and Ketamine Rumors Explained

Elon Musk is no stranger to controversy, whether it’s his bold business moves, eccentric tweets, or public feuds. But in recent years, rumors have swirled around a different topic—his alleged use of ketamine. While Musk has openly spoken about using ketamine for mental health, speculation has gone further, with internet sleuths analyzing his public appearances and behavior.

Does Elon Musk Do Ketamine?

The question of whether Elon Musk uses ketamine isn’t just speculation—he has addressed it himself. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk was prescribed ketamine for depression, which he later confirmed on Twitter (now X), stating:

“Depression is overdiagnosed in the US, but for some people, intermittent ketamine is a better option.”

While this admission aligns with the growing use of ketamine in mental health treatments, some believe there’s more to the story. Online discussions point to Musk’s erratic behavior on X, where he frequently posts memes at odd hours, makes impulsive business decisions, and engages in unpredictable public discourse.

Adding fuel to the speculation are videos of Musk dancing at clubs, including the infamous footage of him at a Tesla event in 2020 where he awkwardly swayed to electronic music, appearing uninhibited. Critics and internet comedians alike have jokingly linked his moves to “ketamine energy,” a reference to the dissociative effects the drug can induce.

While there’s no hard evidence that Musk uses ketamine recreationally, his acknowledgment of taking it for depression, coupled with his sometimes erratic public behavior, keeps the speculation alive.

What Does Ketamine Do To The Brain?

Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. Instead of targeting serotonin or dopamine, it primarily affects glutamate, the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter. It binds to NMDA receptors, increasing the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps neurons grow and connect. This rapid boost in neural plasticity can provide almost immediate antidepressant effects, unlike SSRIs, which take weeks to work.

At low doses, ketamine can:

  • Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Improve mood and cognitive function
  • Increase emotional resilience

However, at higher doses or in recreational settings, ketamine can create dissociative and hallucinogenic effects, altering a person’s perception of time and space. This is often referred to as a “K-hole,” where users feel disconnected from their body and surroundings.

Elon Musk on Ketamine

What Is Ketamine Used For?

Ketamine has a long history in medicine, originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s. Today, its primary uses include:

  1. Depression Treatment – Clinics across the U.S. and Canada offer ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression. The drug has been shown to alleviate severe depression symptoms within hours.
  2. Anesthesia – Still widely used in hospitals, especially for children and in emergency settings due to its safety profile.
  3. Pain Management – Sometimes used to treat chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
  4. Recreational Use – Known as “Special K,” ketamine is also used in party scenes for its dissociative effects, often in club settings.

Musk’s reported use likely falls into the first category—therapeutic treatment for depression.

Ketamine Side Effects

While ketamine has promising medical applications, it’s not without risks. Common side effects include:

  • Short-term effects: Dizziness, confusion, nausea, increased heart rate, and dissociation.
  • Long-term effects: Frequent use can lead to cognitive issues, bladder problems (ketamine-induced cystitis), and dependency.
  • Mental health risks: While ketamine can help with depression, misuse can worsen anxiety and induce paranoia in some individuals.

In Musk’s case, controlled medical use under a doctor’s supervision is very different from recreational abuse. However, because ketamine has both therapeutic and party-drug associations, his admission continues to spark debate.

So, does Elon Musk do ketamine? By his own admission, yes—but for medical reasons. The speculation about his clubbing videos, erratic tweets, and business decisions being influenced by ketamine use remains just that—speculation.

What’s clear is that ketamine is emerging as a legitimate mental health treatment, but like any drug, it carries risks. As public figures like Musk bring it into mainstream discussion, the conversation about its benefits and dangers will only continue to grow.

Feature Image Credit: Creator: GONZALO FUENTES | Credit: REUTERS

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