Elon Musk has taken to X to disclaim taking unlawful medicine – whereas admitting to utilizing prescribed ketamine to “get out of dark mental holes” in the past. The New York Times had claimed the tech billionire was suffering from bladder problems brought on by ketamine use, citing insiders who claim the billionaire’s drug use is escalating and prompting serious concerns among senior colleagues.
Mr Musk posted: “To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their a** off. I tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then.” The Tesla and SpaceX boss was alleged by the New York Times to have taken part in multiple “ketamine binges” in recent times, with folks near him alarmed concerning the potential influence on his well being and judgment.
Sources cited within the investigation stated Mr Musk had displayed erratic behaviour in recent times, which they claimed could also be linked to his alleged sample of drug consumption. The newspaper stated the 53-year-old appeared to make use of ketamine not simply as a remedy for despair — a use for which it has been explored medically — however in a leisure context, typically at events and personal occasions. In one case, he was reportedly seen utilizing the substance in a boardroom setting.
According to sources, Mr Musk’s ketamine use had change into so extreme that it brought about urinary points — a recognized facet impact of frequent or high-dose consumption of the dissociative anaesthetic. One supply described it as a “bladder problem from too much ketamine.” The Times investigation cited a number of folks it stated had direct data of the scenario. Some of them stated Mr Musk’s alleged use of ketamine and different substances, together with MDMA and LSD, had prompted nervousness amongst executives, board members, and buyers at his numerous corporations. In some instances, they stated these near him feared that his alleged drug use may impair his skill to guide companies value a whole lot of billions of {dollars} and to make selections on delicate points, together with these involving authorities contracts and nationwide safety.
SpaceX, considered one of Mr Musk’s most high-profile ventures, holds a multibillion-dollar contract with NASA and different US companies. Tesla is among the world’s most precious automobile producers. Mr Musk can also be the proprietor of social media platform X (previously Twitter).
Despite this, the report claimed that warnings about his behaviour have been typically met with indifference and even resistance, with some associates hesitant to confront him instantly.
One govt reportedly raised the problem of drug use in a message to board members a number of years in the past, urging them to take the matter critically. However, no formal motion seems to have adopted.
Mr Musk is known to have handed a number of drug checks administered by SpaceX to adjust to federal security necessities, significantly in reference to the corporate’s work with NASA. However, sources stated these checks have been recognized upfront and performed occasionally, resulting in questions on their effectiveness as a deterrent.
Mr Musk beforehand has beforehand acknowledged taking a small quantity of ketamine underneath prescription for despair, telling The Wall Street Journal in 2023 that it helped him “occasionally” and that he believed extra folks ought to think about it for psychological well being causes.
He has additionally drawn consideration prior to now for allegedly smoking marijuana on digital camera throughout a podcast look in 2018 — an incident which prompted NASA to assessment SpaceX’s office tradition.
The contemporary allegations are prone to reignite debate about Mr Musk’s management fashion and the extent of scrutiny utilized to his private conduct. Some buyers have raised issues prior to now about his social media posts and public feedback, arguing that they might have an effect on share costs or undermine confidence in his corporations.
The new claims are prone to intensify strain on each corporations’ boards to reveal they’re taking governance and management points critically, significantly as Mr Musk continues to wield substantial affect throughout a number of industries.
Express.co.uk has contacted X, SpaceX, Tesla and authorized agency Quinn, Emmanuel, Urquahart and Flynn LLP, the place his private lawyer, Alex Shiro, works, for remark.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2062664/elon-musk-denies-drug-claims