By Nepal Aaja International Bureau

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Mental Health and the Man Behind the Myths

Elon Musk, one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, has redefined industries ranging from electric vehicles and space travel to neurotechnology and social media. But beyond his trailblazing achievements, the man behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter) has also opened up publicly—albeit selectively—about his mental health.

In a 2024 interview with journalist Don Lemon, Musk disclosed that he uses prescribed ketamine, taken “once every two weeks or so,” to treat what he calls a “negative chemical state” in his brain. He emphasized that the doses are medically supervised and help keep depressive episodes in check, allowing him to remain highly functional and mentally sharp.

“I think there’s, like, a ‘negative chemical state’ that I get sometimes where I just lose my motivation,” Musk explained, noting that ketamine “counteracts” it. Medical professionals have backed the cautious therapeutic use of ketamine in resistant depression cases, making Musk’s revelation a milestone in de-stigmatizing mental health discussions among high-functioning individuals.

Yet, controversy surrounds this topic. A New York Times investigation in late 2024 alleged that Musk’s ketamine use may have gone beyond therapeutic boundaries, citing anonymous sources who claimed he sometimes used it recreationally and in higher-than-recommended doses. The same report suggested he carried a “box of substances” including Adderall, MDMA (ecstasy), and even psychedelic mushrooms—claims Musk strongly denies. His spokesperson and legal team insist that all medications are legally prescribed and responsibly consumed.

Despite not undergoing traditional therapy, Musk has spoken in earlier interviews about grappling with existential anxiety since childhood. However, he maintains that work, innovation, and an insatiable curiosity serve as his primary coping mechanisms.

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The Unpredictable Public Persona: Calculated or Chaotic?

While his mental health disclosures have added depth to public understanding of Musk, they do not explain—or excuse—his string of unpredictable, sometimes erratic behaviors that frequently dominate headlines.

From renaming Twitter to X, randomly laying off employees through memes, challenging Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight, live-streaming video games while discussing AI apocalypse, or tweeting at 2 a.m. about colonizing Mars with “dogecoin democracy”—Musk’s actions can bewilder even his most ardent supporters.

In recent months, his very public feud with President Donald Trump has captivated both political and tech circles. After criticizing Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and subtly endorsing impeachment rumors, Musk became a target of Trump’s verbal wrath. Trump called him “unhinged” and “disloyal,” sparking threats to revoke Tesla and SpaceX contracts.

But is Musk just unpredictable—or a master of misdirection?

Many analysts argue that Musk’s seemingly impulsive actions are often high-stakes gambits designed to shift attention, realign narratives, or pressure markets. "He plays chess while everyone else is playing checkers," one former Tesla executive said. But others warn of the dangers of so much influence resting in one person’s hands without conventional oversight.

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Unmatched Innovation: Musk’s Real Legacy

Whatever one’s take on his personality or politics, Elon Musk’s contributions to science and technology are irrefutable.

• Tesla has revolutionized the global auto industry and accelerated the transition to electric mobility.

• SpaceX has not only commercialized space launches but also made NASA’s lunar ambitions viable through the Starship program.

• Neuralink is pioneering brain-computer interfaces that could, if successful, transform how humans treat neurological diseases.

• Starlink has brought internet access to remote corners of the globe, including conflict zones.

• X (formerly Twitter), though controversial in its rebranding and content policies, continues to serve as a critical platform for global discourse.

Musk’s intense drive, long working hours, and hands-on leadership style have created not only revolutionary products—but also revolutionary expectations of what a CEO can be.

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Final Reflections

Elon Musk remains a complex paradox: a man of vast intellect, admirable transparency in mental health, and boundless ambition—yet also a walking controversy factory. As debates swirl around his fitness, influence, and unpredictability, one truth remains:

He is not just shaping technology. He is shaping history.

And he’s doing it all—one ketamine dose, one spaceship, and one tweet at a time.