Elon Musk’s Erratic Behavior Raises Questions About Drug Use
- Aug 13, 2025
- 2 min read
Musk has been the subject of many claims throughout the years surrounding his use of drugs, including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, Musk’s drug use has recently raised concerns among some of his associates and board members at companies like SpaceX and Tesla, especially since his government contracts require a drug-free workplace.
Musk is Openly Using Ketamine
Musk has publicly acknowledged that he has a prescription for ketamine, which he said he uses "a small amount" of
about once every two weeks to treat depressive moods. "If you've used too much ketamine, you can't really get work done, and I have a lot of work," he told journalist Don Lemon in a March 2024 interview.
But The New York Times found that Musk’s habit was more serious. People familiar with the matter said he was using ketamine much more often — sometimes daily — and mixing it with other drugs. They described the line between medical treatment and recreation as unclear, which concerned some people close to him. This is especially because his use of ketamine began affecting his bladder, a known side effect of chronic use.
His alleged drug use reportedly intensified around the time he became a vocal supporter of the Trump campaign. This behavior has led some of Musk’s old friends, like Sam Harris, to express concern over Musk's "moral compass, if not his perception of reality."
However, Musk denies using drugs in his role as the head of DOGE, posting on X: “Also, to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying.”
Erratic Behavior That Fuels Speculation
Part of what gives these reports traction are Musk’s documented past with drug use and bouts of erratic behavior. These are episodes that former colleagues say mirror the demeanor they’ve seen when he appeared to be under the influence.
In one viral moment, Musk was seen acting bizarrely during his farewell as head of DOGE. During the clip, he seems to be unfocused and constantly moving his head around with his eyes closed. This has led to people to speculate that he was intoxicated or high on drugs.
This is especially given his past history with drug usage in private settings, where attendees are required to sign nondisclosure agreements. This includes taking tabs of acid at a party he hosted in LA in 2018 and taking magic mushrooms in Mexico the following year. Musk also used ketamine recreationally with his brother, Kimbal Musk, who sits on the boards of both Tesla and SpaceX. This led to former Tesla director, Linda Johnson Rice, leaving the board due to her frustration with Musk's "volatile behavior and her concerns about his drug consumption."
More recently, reports link his alleged drug use to what some observers describe as erratic public behavior, including a Nazi-like salute at a political rally and garbled answers during interviews. Even President Trump supposedly inquired of his aides if Musk was high on drugs in the beginning of their public feud over the “One Big Beautiful Bill” because of Musk’s bizarre actions.
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