Elon Musk’s Ketamine Use Brings Drug Into The Spotlight

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a rapid-acting anesthetic used on animals and humans but has been increasingly used illicitly for its hallucinogenic properties. It is referred to as a dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen because it makes people feel removed from their pain and surroundings.

Used most often as a surgical anesthetic, ketamine is also administered to children who have had adverse reactions to other anesthetics or are undergoing radiation or burn therapy. Additionally, it can be used in situations where sedation is necessary, but stronger anesthetics are not an option. Ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, which means misuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence.

More recently, ketamine has been used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, specifically treatment-resistant depression, though some critics claim that ketamine’s psychological uses are unproven and too unregulated.

Elon Musk’s Use Of Ketamine

Elon Musk has recently been accused of using large amounts of ketamine while acting as an advisor to President Donald Trump. Musk has spoken about his past use of ketamine as a treatment for depression but has denied recent and excessive use.

During an interview with Don Lemon on The Don Lemon Show on YouTube in March 2024, Musk stated that he was taking ketamine under physician’s orders for the treatment of depression. He  encouraged those suffering from depression to inquire about ketamine therapy, stating, “ketamine is helpful for getting you out of a depressive mind state.”

The New York Times reported that in the past Musk had disclosed he had started to experience bladder issues, a common side-effect of prolonged ketamine use. They also reported that Musk was allegedly using MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms while on ketamine. This polydrug use is not uncommon among those who take ketamine, with MDMA, cocaine, and GHB being the most co-abused substances.

Ketamine As A Treatment For Depression

More recently, ketamine has gained attention for its potential to treat major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, with studies showing promising results. In 2019, the FDA-approved the first nasal spray form of ketamine, Spravato, for this purpose.

Ketamine has also been prescribed off-label for the treatment of bipolar disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. However, it is not currently FDA approved to treat any psychiatric condition.

How Is Ketamine Abused?

The illicit use of ketamine has increased in popularity, with users chasing its sedating, dissociative effects. Ketamine produces an out-of-body experience, where users begin to feel detached from themselves and their surroundings, and their perceptions of sight and sound are altered.

Ketamine trips can be intense and unpredictable, with some users reporting “near-death experiences” while others say they experienced a “state of utter bliss.” A common experience of those who misuse ketamine is called a “k-hole,” which is where the dissociative effects are so great that users may become unresponsive to external stimuli and lose awareness of their self and environment. As people continue to chase that high, frequent misuse can quickly build up a tolerance to ketamine, which requires them to dangerously increase the amount they take to experience the same effects.

The habitual misuse of ketamine comes with serious mental and physical health risks, including memory loss, attention deficits, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and damage to the bladder and liver.

Overdosing on ketamine is also possible, with users experiencing dangerous respiratory depression that can be life-threatening.

Find Treatment For Ketamine Abuse

If you or someone you love is struggling with ketamine abuse, it’s important to seek professional help. Ketamine treatment options include inpatient and outpatient addiction programs, therapy, and support groups. Contact a treatment provider to learn more about your treatment options and start living a healthier life without the dangers of ketamine abuse.