” What is true? How do you determine true”?
Morpheus posed this question in The Matrix, challenging Neo’s perception of reality. But now, we may ask the same of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who increasingly behaves as if he exists in a different dimension—one where he alone is in control of everything. What if Musk thinks he is the Chosen One because of this? From shaping international politicians to making spontaneous leadership choices, Musk’s activities suggest a man who believes he is operating above the rest of humanity—beyond effects, beyond truth itself.
According to an older statement from The Wall Street Journal, Musk’s usage of ketamine may be influencing his actions. The strong traumatic medication, known for breaking users from fact, has been linked to cognitive distortions, anxiety, and an improved sense of self-importance.
Had Musk’s increasingly erratic decision-making been influenced by ketamine—a substance that can create a sense of separation and bombast?
Elon Musk’s Drug Use: Entering the Ketamine Matrix
Musk has not shied away from controversy, but his connection with medication has long been a topic of public attention. His 2018 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience—where he took a solitary breath of a cannabis joint—was sufficiently to stir Tesla’s stock and cause a NASA research.
But cannabis was only the beginning. Reports indicate Musk has been prescribed ketamine and uses it to manage depression. He confirmed in a March 2024 interview with CNN’s Don Lemon that he takes the drug every other week under medical supervision. However, the New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow reported that Musk’s associates worry his ketamine use, combined with his isolation, is affecting his behaviour. While Musk insists that “if you use too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done”, his unconventional leadership and erratic decision-making have led to increased speculation about the effects of his ketamine use.
What Doctors Say About Ketamine: A Controversial Treatment?
Ketamine, first approved by the FDA in 1970, has gained attention as a potential treatment for severe depression, particularly for those resistant to traditional antidepressants. Dr. Adam Kaplin, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, says that esketamine—a derivative of ketamine—offers new hope for depression treatment:” For the first time in 60 years, we have a new antidepressant therapy that isn’t just a spinoff of existing drugs”.
Dr John Krystal, chief of psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital, highlights concerns about ketamine’s potential side effects:” Ketamine can induce feelings of unreality, visual and sensory distortions, and unusual beliefs”.
The Mayo Clinic warns that while ketamine may offer benefits, long-term effects remain unclear, and misuse can lead to dependence and cognitive impairment. While medically supervised ketamine use can be beneficial, experts caution that frequent or high-dose use may lead to dissociative symptoms, paranoia, and distorted thinking.
Erratic Behaviour
Musk’s public behavior in recent years has sparked debates over his leadership and mental well-being. According to Axios, Musk’s 2024 appearance at CPAC raised eyebrows when he hoisted a chainsaw in the air and questioned whether Fort Knox actually contains gold. His late-night rants on Twitter/X range from impulsive business decisions to cryptic memes, causing stock fluctuations and investor panic. Musk’s leadership of X has been marked by unpredictable decisions, from mass firings to controversial policy changes. While Musk has always been known for his unorthodox style, concerns have grown about whether his behavior is becoming increasingly erratic.
Musk’s Influence on Politics and Global Affairs
Musk has not just pushed boundaries in technology —he has increasingly played a role in geopolitics. According to WSJ, Musk privately limited Starlink access to Ukrainian forces, raising concerns about his influence over military communications. He has engaged in direct discussions with government leaders, influencing policy on issues ranging from AI to electric vehicles. He has shifted politically, criticizing progressive policies and engaging with figures on the right. Musk’s involvement in global affairs highlights his growing influence—but also raises questions about how his decision-making is shaped by personal beliefs, business interests, and even his mental health treatment.
Silicon Valley’s Billionaire Drug Experiment
Musk is not alone in using mind-altering substances. According to the New Yorker, psychedelic drugs, including ketamine, are widely used in Silicon Valley’s elite circles. The ketamine industry is now worth billions, with an increase in off-label prescriptions. A 2010 study by Professor Celia Morgan at the University of Exeter found that frequent ketamine users exhibited cognitive impairments and delusional thinking.
Is Elon Musk the Ultimate Ketamine Case Study?
Musk once joked that he believes we are all living in a simulation—that reality itself may be an illusion. But as his behavior continues to raise eyebrows, the real question might be: Is Musk the one losing touch with reality? The effects of chronic ketamine use—dissociation, grandiosity, and detachment—align with some of the concerns raised about Musk’s unpredictable behaviour.
Morpheus told Neo:” The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth”.
For Musk, the ketamine matrix may be blinding him from reality itself. And when a man who controls SpaceX, Tesla, Starlink, Twitter/X starts making impulsive decisions, and has a direct line to the POTUS—should we be concerned about what he sees when he looks out from inside his simulation?
