In a recent interview, Elon Musk discussed the positive effects of prescription ketamine in managing his occasional depressive episodes. He also mentioned that this treatment has had a positive impact on investors in his companies.
In an interview posted online on Monday, Elon Musk revealed that he occasionally takes a small amount of medication to address the chemical imbalances that contribute to his depression. He mentioned that he takes it once every other week, or sometimes even less frequently.
“Ketamine can be beneficial in shifting one’s mindset from negative to positive,” stated the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX during the conversation with Lemon.
The Don Lemon Show episode 1: Elon Musk
TIMESTAMPS:
(02:23) News on X
(10:07) Donald Trump and Endorsing a Candidate
(13:04) The New Tesla Roadster
(16:46) Relaxation and Video Games
(17:54) Tweeting and Drug Use
(23:19) The Great Replacement Theory
(30:03) Content Moderation… pic.twitter.com/bLRae4DhyO— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 18, 2024
Lemon inquired about the potential impact of ketamine on Musk’s government contracts and reputation on Wall Street. Musk denied the request and reiterated his previous explanation for his drug use.
“What matters is execution,” stated the technology mogul, emphasizing the perspective of Wall Street. Are you creating a valuable investment opportunity? He proceeded to highlight Tesla’s impressive valuation and sales figures. “According to the investor, it is advisable to continue taking something if it is already being taken,” he stated.
Musk explained that he initially shared his use of prescription ketamine on X with the intention of potentially assisting others.
Five days after Lemon revealed that Musk had canceled his agreement to appear on a new talk show on X, just hours after a “testy” interview at the Tesla headquarters in Austin, Texas, the video of the exchange was uploaded.
The company had decided not to “enter into a commercial partnership” with Lemon’s show, but the former CNN anchor was still free to post content on the social media platform, according to X’s verified corporate account.
CNN dismissed Lemon in April of last year. In an effort to increase its video services, X announced in January that it had struck an agreement with him. Additionally, the platform partnered with sports radio presenter Jim Rome and former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Democrat.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on Musk’s ketamine use. The publication stated in one story concerning the subject that several officials from SpaceX and Tesla were worried about the drug use of the wealthy businessman.
When Lemon questioned Musk about whether he ever “abuses” ketamine, the billionaire said that he only takes it under medical supervision. Musk retorted, “I don’t believe so.” I have a lot of work to accomplish, and using too much ketamine prevents you from really getting anything done.
Elon Musk’s remarks regarding ketamine are noteworthy, partly due to his past criticism of other medications used to treat depression.
For instance, Musk stated in a tweet from April 2022 that he thought Wellbutrin, a prescription antidepressant, ought to be “taken off the market.” Health care experts defended the drug’s safety and efficacy in reaction to that post.
Over the past few years, ketamine, a potent anesthetic, has gained significant interest as a potential option for individuals exploring alternative therapies to address depression, anxiety, and other conditions.
According to an autopsy report, the drug has been associated with the unfortunate passing of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, who succumbed to the acute effects of ketamine.
During a brief introduction to the Musk interview, Lemon expressed his uncertainty regarding Musk’s decision to cancel their deal. “I challenge you, Elon, to watch the entire interview and explain to the world why this contradicts your supposed goal of fostering free speech on X,” Lemon stated, hinting at Musk’s expressed desire to transform X into a platform for open dialogue.
Lemon has recently shared the inaugural episode of “The Don Lemon Show” on YouTube. He has expressed his intention to make future episodes available on various platforms including Spotify, iHeartRadio, and other popular streaming platforms.
Last week, Musk expressed his opinion on Lemon, stating that he found him lacking authenticity and described his approach as similar to “CNN, but on social media.”
Musk’s interview with Lemon had its fair share of disagreements. Musk seemed to react with some annoyance when Lemon initially mentioned ketamine, stating: “It’s quite personal to inquire about someone’s medical prescription.”
The interview discussed other controversial subjects, such as Musk’s recent encounter with former President Donald Trump and the rise of hate speech on X, which Musk obtained in October 2022 when the platform was still called Twitter.
Chloe Melas, Lemon characterized Musk’s demeanor as somewhat distant, noting that he appeared to grow more uneasy as the interview progressed.
He mentioned that “The Don Lemon Show” will be broadcasted three days a week and will cover topics that are currently trending. He and his team are currently exploring potential media partnerships, although they haven’t disclosed any specific details about these discussions.
He mentioned that he anticipates X fulfilling its obligations as per their agreement. However, if the company fails to do so, he mentioned that legal action may be necessary, although it is uncertain if we have reached that stage yet.
