Health
Elon Musk reveals why he takes ketamine, denies abusing the drug: ‘I should keep taking it’
Elon Musk uses ketamine to boost his mental health, the billionaire said in a video interview that was streamed on YouTube on Monday.
When asked about drug use, Musk — the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX — answered, “There are times when I have sort of … a negative chemical state in my brain, like depression, I guess.”
He noted that he uses a “small amount once every other week.”
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“Ketamine is useful for getting one out of a negative frame of mind,” Musk went on, referring to his depression as “chemical tides” and saying it wasn’t “negative news.”
Musk also implied in the interview with former CNN anchor Don Lemon that his ketamine use is beneficial to his businesses.
He said that “from the standpoint of Wall Street, what matters is execution … From [the] investors’ standpoint, if there is something I’m taking, I should keep taking it.”
The owner of social media platform X added that he has posted about his ketamine use in the hope of helping people.
Musk also said that he obtains the ketamine via prescription from a medical doctor and that he does not abuse the drug.
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“If you use too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done, and I have a lot of work,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Musk has discussed ketamine use.
In a post on X in June 2023, the entrepreneur stated, “From what I’ve seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Musk for further comment about his widely reported interview on Monday.
What to know about ketamine
Ketamine, a hallucinogenic anesthetic drug, was first approved in 1970 as an anesthetic for use by medical doctors and veterinarians.
Since then, ketamine has been shown to have powerful effects on the brain, particularly for people suffering from depression, according to Dr. William Prueitt, director of the Ketamine Treatment Program at Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut.
“There’s growing evidence that ketamine can be very effective for patients with depression who have not responded to other treatments,” Prueitt told Fox News Digital.
Ketamine is best suited for patients with moderate to severe depression who haven’t responded to other types of treatments or therapy, the doctor said.
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“These patients have what we call treatment-resistant depression, meaning they’ve tried at least two antidepressants (at sufficient doses and durations) that just haven’t worked,” he said.
Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants — it targets different neurotransmitters in the brain, Prueitt noted.
“There’s growing evidence that ketamine can be very effective for patients with depression who have not responded to other treatments.”
“That is one proposed reason why it’s often successful where other medications are not,” he said.
The drug can be administered in multiple ways, but the primary methods are by nasal spray (esketamine) or IV infusions (ketamine).
“Ketamine provides rapid relief of symptoms, sometimes in as little as a few weeks,” said Prueitt.
“Patients can experience improved mood, renewed optimism and reduced negative thoughts.”
When administered in an “appropriate treatment setting” with an experienced medical team, ketamine is generally “very safe,” according to Prueitt.
There can be risks, however, when it’s given in unsupervised circumstances.
“Patients should not self-medicate and should only receive ketamine treatments after an appropriate psychiatric evaluation and medical screening,” he added.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health.
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Health
Ask a doctor: ‘I swallowed a bug — now what should I do?'
Most people have experienced that moment of discomfort when they realize a bug has wound up where it shouldn’t be — in their windpipe.
That includes Taylor Swift, who on more than one occasion has accidentally swallowed a bug while performing on stage in front of thousands of people.
It can be a startling and somewhat disgusting occurrence — but is this dangerous, or just a nuisance?
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Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a quadruple board-certified physician in California, shared with Fox News Digital the true impacts of accidentally swallowing a bug, and the best thing to do if it happens.
“Swallowing a bug can often happen accidentally when you’re eating or drinking outside, or if a bug flies into your mouth,” Dasgupta, who serves as chief medical advisor for Fortune Recommends, told Fox News Digital via email.
“It can also happen if you’re talking or laughing outdoors. Sometimes it might even happen indoors if bugs are in your food or drink and you don’t realize it.”
ASK A DOCTOR: ‘HOW CAN I PREVENT SCARRING FROM BUG BITES AND POISON IVY?’
Swallowing a bug is usually not dangerous, Dasgupta noted.
“The stomach’s digestive acids usually break down the bug, and it is passed out of the body without causing harm,” he said.
If the bug carries harmful bacteria or parasites, however, it could cause gastrointestinal issues or allergic reactions, according to the doctor.
The type of bug can make a difference, he said.
“Bugs like beetles or ants are less of a concern, but bugs that are known to spread diseases — such as mosquitoes — might be riskier.”
If you happen to swallow a bug, drinking some water can help wash it down, Dasgupta said.
“If you start feeling sick, like abdominal pain, vomiting or nausea, keep an eye on your symptoms,” the doctor said.
If you have severe stomach pain, ongoing vomiting, trouble breathing, or swelling, rash or itching, Dasgupta said to see a doctor.
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“If you know the bug could have diseases or if you have health conditions that might complicate things, it’s a good idea to get checked out to be safe,” he added.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
Some bugs — including grasshoppers, beetles, termites, mealworms and even stink bugs — are actually considered edible in certain countries, and are prepared and eaten as part of meals, according to WebMD’s website.
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“I’m a Dietitian, and Here’s Why an Overly Restrictive Diet Can Backfire”
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