Psychedelics Fuel Silicon Valley Tech Leaders

“Taking LSD was a profound experience, one of the most important things in my life. LSD shows you that there’s another side to the coin, and you can’t remember it when it wears off, but you know it. It reinforced my sense of what was important—creating great things instead of making money, putting things back into the stream of history and of human consciousness as much as I could.” – Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was one of the foremost prominent figures of the tech industry who admitted to taking LSD in the 70s, in addition to other recreational drugs. But, he wasn’t the first tech leader to resort to psychedelics.

In John Markoff’s non-fiction book “What the Dormouse said”, evolution of personal computers through illicit counterculture ideals that existed in Silicon Valley in the 60s was explored. It spoke about how LSD influenced individuals and ideas that played a significant role in the birth of personal computers and the internet. Setting precedence to what exists today, tech leaders are now embracing the usage of psychedelics with some of them not shying away from talking about it – ringing in the next big industry: the psychedelic drug market, which is poised for massive growth.

Source: Reddit

Of the many tech predictions Sam Altman made in a 2021 tweet, psychedelic medicine was one industry he expects to see a boom in this decade. As per Brandessence market research, the psychedelic drugs market is expected to reach a valuation of $11.82 billion by 2029 from $4.87 billion in 2022.

There has also been prolific funding for psychedelic studies. Mets owner Steven Cohen, recently donated $5 million to MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies), a non-profit organization that explores the medical, legal, and cultural dimensions associated with psychedelics and marijuana.

Psychedelics under controlled dosages are proven to be effective in the treatment of addiction, anxiety, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and other difficult-to-treat conditions such as end-of-life care. However, with properties to change perception, mood, and affect all senses to alter a person’s thinking, psychedelics have found its way into the hands of tech leaders for recreational use, probably in an effort to push creativity, improve productivity and problem-solving abilities.

The Rave in Town

Psychedelics (or hallucinogens) such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin-containing mushrooms (magic mushrooms), ketamine and others are consumed via microdoses for medicinal or recreational use. Microdosing on psilocybin is now becoming popular in Silicon Valley with psychedelic-trip coaches being offered for $2000 per month.

According to a Financial Times article, a number of tech founders, billionaires, and professionals (whose names were withheld) microdose on LSD as means to not only boost productivity, but to improve focus and be more creative with idea generation which is required by knowledge workers.

But, what about the legality of it?

Colorado and Oregon are the only U.S states that have legalised the use of psilocybin for therapeutic use. However, there are other cities that have decriminalised the same drug, which implies that they are still prohibited but possessing them is not considered a criminal offence. San Francisco, home to Silicon Valley, also comes under the decriminalised status.

Source: Landmark Recovery

The Psych- Tech Connection

While a number of anonymous Silicon Valley leaders are known to indulge in hallucinogens and other forms of restricted drugs, here are a few names that have been reported using them.

Elon Musk

It is reported that Elon Musk takes microdoses of ketamine which he considers to be better than antidepressants. Musk has spoken about his mental health struggles in the past where he has experienced ‘great highs, terrible lows, and unrelenting stress.’ According to the Wall Street Journal, the claim comes from people who have witnessed him use ketamine. Musk has also tweeted on how ketamine is a better alternative to SSRI (a type of antidepressant).

A Twitter user Geoff Pilkington tweeted appreciating Musk’s support for psychedelics and said that about how half of Los Angeles gets ketamine treatment.

Sergey Brin

As per the same WSJ report, Google co-founder Sergey Brin is said to consume psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms. Psilocybin has been medically tested for treating cluster headaches, depression and other mental health conditions. However, there is no clarity on whether Brin’s usage is medicinal or recreational.

Bob Lee

Deceased founder of CashApp, a mobile payment service, Bob Lee, reportedly spent years participating in ‘The Lifestyle’ which is believed to be an underground party scene for sex and psychedelics in San Francisco. Though murdered, his toxicology report showed alcohol, cocaine, and ketamine at the time of death.

Spencer Shulem

Spencer Shulem, CEO of BuildBetter.ai, a technology company, uses LSD every three months to help him focus and think more creatively. He feels that the high expectations set by VCs and investors, push founders to resort to psychedelics to become extraordinary. However, Shulem is careful about sharing his LSD experiences at work and is not a preacher on the ‘joys of drugs.’

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