Watch: WSJ Breaks Down the Mainstreaming of Psychedelics in Silicon Valley
Drug use has long been a part of Silicon Valley. But recently, routine drug use has moved from an after-hours activity into corporate culture, with some tech executives and employees looking to psychedelics and other substances for business breakthroughs. WSJ reporter Katherine Bindley joins host Julie Chang to discuss the growing drug culture in the tech world.
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Silicon Valley Executives Who Have Discussed Psychedelic Use
| Executive | Substance(s) Used | Public Statements or Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Elon Musk | Ketamine | Musk has discussed using ketamine to manage depression and enhance mental clarity. He has mentioned that, based on his friends’ experiences, occasional ketamine use can be a better option than traditional antidepressants. |
| Sergey Brin | Psilocybin | Google co-founder Sergey Brin has reportedly used magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and has funded research into psychedelics. His non-profit investment vehicle, Catalyst4, committed around $15 million to Soneira, a biotech startup researching ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from a rainforest shrub, as a treatment for traumatic brain injury. |
| Bill Gates | LSD | In his memoir “Source Code,” Gates recounts experimenting with LSD during his youth. He describes one experience where he took acid and the effects lasted into the next day during a dental procedure. Gates has expressed interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelics for conditions like depression and OCD, emphasizing the need for careful consideration. |
| Steve Jobs | LSD | The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was open about his experiences with LSD. He described taking LSD as a “profound experience” and one of the most important things in his life. Jobs believed that his psychedelic experiences reinforced his sense of what was important—creating great things instead of making money. |
| Sam Altman | Psilocybin | OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman has spoken about his transformative experiences with psychedelics. He mentioned that a guided psychedelic retreat in Mexico significantly changed his perspective, helping him move from being anxious and unhappy to feeling calm. Altman has also invested in medical startups focused on psychedelics, including serving as the board chairman of Journey Colab, which aims to develop clinical psychedelic drugs for therapy. |
Please note that while there is anecdotal evidence and reports of other Silicon Valley executives experimenting with psychedelics, specific details are often not publicly disclosed. The information above is based on available public statements and reports.
Please note that while there is anecdotal evidence and reports of other Silicon Valley executives experimenting with psychedelics, specific details are often not publicly disclosed. The information above is based on available public statements and reports.
