Celebrities and Ketamine: Why Elon Musk Is Microdosing Ketamine
Ketamine is a psychedelic drug. It has a fascinating history of both medical and recreational use. Today, it treats people with severe depression and other mental health disorders. However, many people choose to take just a fraction of a normal dose in a practice called microdosing.
Many celebrities claim that microdosing ketamine offers a variety of health benefits. It does so without the hallucinations that come with a full dose. Well-known names such as Elon Musk, Sharon Osbourne, and Lamar Odom are open about their positive experiences with ketamine. The Food and Drug Administration approved inhalable ketamine in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression. However, the recreational use of the psychedelic drug is still illegal. Anyone who uses the drug is legally required to do so in the presence of a healthcare worker.
The History of Ketamine Use
Ketamine may seem like one of the best new treatments for depression, but it’s not new at all. In fact, the hallucinogenic drug has been around since the 1960s. Back then, it was solely an anesthetic for animals and people. By the 1970s, ketamine was still officially considered an anesthetic. However, it was also a popular party drug known by the street name “Special K.” Its illicit use continued to rise through the 1980s and 1990s.
Finally, in the 2000s, the illicit use of ketamine dropped drastically. This occurred after the United States deemed it a federally controlled substance. During this time, medical professionals began to notice the drug had some interesting effects. Specifically, it could reduce suicidal thoughts and depression. Studies confirmed this observation. Today, many mental health professionals prescribe ketamine. They recommend it to people with treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. Some people practice microdosing ketamine. They do this to get some of the antidepressant benefits without the full hallucinogenic effects.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine works by binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the neurons. By doing so, it helps activate glutamate production in the brain. Glutamate is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that helps regulate your mood. The link between depression and glutamate is still not fully understood. However, there is enough research to show a connection between low brain levels of glutamate and depression.
Ketamine further works to reduce depression by stimulating neurotrophic factors in the brain. This is a protein that helps the brain adapt to different experiences. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s adaptability. The higher your neuroplasticity, the easier it is for your brain to change negative thought patterns.
Standard antidepressant medications typically take weeks to begin working. Ketamine, on the other hand, begins working in as little as one hour. For this reason alone, it’s a highly effective treatment for people who are suicidal. It’s also a great solution for those with severe anxiety or acute post-traumatic stress disorder.
Benefits of Microdosing Ketamine
At full doses, ketamine has powerful anti-depressive effects that can last up to a month in some cases. At microdoses, ketamine can help ease depression, stress, and physical pain. But it does so for shorter periods of time. Some people prefer microdosing ketamine. It doesn’t produce the typical “high” associated with the full dose of the medication. But the effects are still enough to reduce physical pain or enhance feelings of well-being.
Famous People Who Microdose Ketamine
People across all walks of life sometimes need help with their mental health. Celebrities are no exception. Several celebrities are quite open about taking ketamine to help with various symptoms. Here are some of their stories.
Elon Musk
When the wealthiest man in the world uses a particular drug to maintain his mental health, it’s worth paying attention. Elon Musk isn’t shy about taking small doses of ketamine. He praises the drug’s ability to treat depression. But he isn’t shy about using it for recreational purposes, as well. Of course, recreational use of Ketamine or any other controlled substance is illegal. It could lead to increased tolerance of the drug. Casual use is also not a valid treatment for depression.
Musk is outspoken about the “zombifying” effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are the medications most commonly used to treat depression. In Musk’s opinion, occasionally microdosing ketamine is better for depression than taking SSRIs.
Sharon Osbourne
In 2021, Sharon Osbourne left “The Talk” after accusations of using racist language. During that difficult time, she experienced psychological trauma. Severe backlash and death threats caused her to develop depression and anxiety. A good friend recommended she try ketamine treatments, and she decided to take the advice. Osbourne received three months of supervised ketamine therapy. The drug helped her to relax and detach from the pain she was feeling. She explains that she was able to cry her tears, get everything out, and move on.
Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom recently opened up about using ketamine. He uses the drug to help him conquer his struggle with addiction. The former NBA star had already tried rehab and “some other things,” before stumbling upon ketamine. Odom’s past is riddled with substance abuse issues. He experienced a near-death overdose back in 2015 and realized he needed to make a change. He explains that microdosing ketamine has helped him overcome his cocaine addiction. He describes the sensation of ketamine treatments as a “healthy high.”
The experiences of Odom and other celebrities show how powerful ketamine can be when used properly. Ketamine clinics for mental health are becoming much more common. Medical professionals continue to study and observe the positive results of this treatment.
Why You Might Want to Microdose Ketamine
In a medical setting, it’s common for patients to receive a full therapeutic dose of ketamine. A full dose works immediately and provides a perceptible dissociative experience. It is this psychedelic effect that stimulates new brain pathways and connections in a highly effective fashion. For those with severe drug-resistant depression who need immediate help, a full dose of ketamine may be advised. However, there may be times when microdosing the drug is a better option for certain individuals.
For example, if a patient is currently addicted to or has a history of abusing hallucinogenic substances, a full dose of ketamine may not be the best option. Inducing the same kind of “high” the patient is trying to stay away from may be counterproductive. Some people may also feel dizzy or ill and dislike the way a full dose of ketamine makes them feel.
In these types of situations, microdosing ketamine can deliver many benefits without the full dissociative experience. It doesn’t stimulate any psychedelic outcomes at all. Instead, it provides subtle therapeutic changes that may improve mental health and motivation. Microdoses of ketamine may take more time to work than full doses, but many people don’t mind the extra wait in return for a less extreme experience.
How to Microdose Ketamine
Ketamine is a highly addictive drug. It is also a federally controlled substance. Therefore, you should never try to take it recreationally—even in microdoses. You should only take this drug under the guidance of a trusted and licensed medical professional. They will monitor you throughout your treatment to make sure the drug is safe and effective for you. They know how to figure out the right microdose based on your weight, gender, and other factors. They also know about common contraindications that can happen with ketamine and other medications.
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Available Types of Ketamine
There are multiple ketamine types and administration methods. Your healthcare provider will help you determine which type is right for your mental health needs.
IV Drips
Ketamine IV drips have an intravenous method of delivery. This allows the medication to travel rapidly to the brain through the bloodstream. Ketamine infusions must be delivered in a clinical setting. They typically take less than an hour to administer. Your doctor will consider your weight and symptom severity when determining what dosage to give you.
Lozenges
Ketamine lozenges are also called sublingual troches. You take them orally by placing them under the tongue or in the cheek. You don’t necessarily need to take these lozenges in a clinical setting. Some people prefer lozenges over other types of ketamine because they’re more affordable. Ketamine lozenges also show great promise for relieving chronic pain. They work fine alone, but they’re more effective when taken with other forms of ketamine.
Nasal Spray
In 2019, the FDA approved inhalable ketamine for depression in the form of nasal spray. This form of the drug, known as esketamine, is derived from ketamine. One study shows that esketamine can reduce depressive symptoms in 70% of patients. Study participants used esketamine in combination with an oral antidepressant.
Schedule Your Ketamine Treatment in Salt Lake City
No one should have to live with treatment-resistant depression or other mental health disorders. Ketamine is a highly effective treatment that can help the brain repair damaged connections and pathways. Ketamine Therapy SLC offers supervised ketamine treatments in Salt Lake City, Utah, and West Jordan. We are on a mission to help patients who have tried other methods without success. We serve the Salt Lake City and West Jordan, Utah, areas. Want to see for yourself why so many celebrities are microdosing ketamine? Call us at 385-685-1410 to schedule a consultation and learn more.
Schedule a Ketamine
Treatment Consultation
Schedule an appointment via call or text at (385) 685-1410 or fill out the form below:
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/text/email
Schedule a Ketamine
Treatment Consultation
Schedule an appointment via call or text at
(385) 685-1410
or fill out the form below:
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/text/email
