In a recent digital conversation with ex-CNN host Don Lemon, now shared widely across the internet, Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk candidly discussed his mental health management strategies, including the use of a prescribed ketamine treatment, asserting its positive impact on his professional performance and, by extension, Tesla’s investor value.
During this revealing interview, Musk addressed a variety of topics ranging from politics and social media moderation on X (formerly Twitter) to his multifaceted role at the helm of several cutting-edge companies. Musk highlighted the critical importance of operational efficiency for investor confidence, especially within the high-stakes environment of Tesla, SpaceX, and X. He underscored the company’s valuation, which rivals the combined worth of the entire automobile industry, emphasizing the significant expectations placed on his leadership.
Amidst this, Musk’s approach to personal health management became a focal point. He explained his prescribed ketamine use as a tool for combating what he described as a “negative chemical state,” suggesting parallels to depression. His openness about utilizing ketamine under medical supervision aims to demystify the use of such treatments for mental health conditions.
However, this revelation follows a controversial report by The Wall Street Journal in January, detailing Musk’s alleged consumption of various drugs, including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms. The publication’s investigation stirred apprehension among executives and board members across Musk’s ventures, raising alarms about potential violations of federal regulations that might endanger SpaceX’s lucrative contracts with government entities.
In particular, the report mentioned the departure of a Tesla board member in 2019, attributed to frustrations with Musk’s behaviors. Musk’s response to these allegations was swift, taking to X to highlight his agreement to undergo three years of random drug tests by NASA, a key partner to SpaceX, which yielded no evidence of illicit drug or alcohol presence.
Further discussing his ketamine use with Lemon, Musk clarified the medicinal nature of his consumption, detailing a “small amount every other week” regimen as per his doctor’s prescription. This discussion arose from Lemon’s inquiries about the potential implications of Musk’s drug use on his companies’ government contracts and investor relations.
The interview, initially meant for “The Don Lemon Show” on X before the partnership’s cancellation, was eventually disseminated through YouTube and X. Musk’s preference for a more innovative approach to digital content, compared to traditional news formats, led to the cessation of the exclusive content deal with Lemon, as Musk articulated on X.
Attempts to reach Musk for further comments remained unanswered at the time of this writing, leaving the public to ponder the implications of Musk’s personal health strategies on his expansive business empire and its stakeholders.