.jpg)
A surprising number of high-profile tech leaders have opened up about using psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and ayahuasca to boost creativity, personal clarity, and mental health.
1. Steve Jobs: Creativity Fueled by LSD
-
Steve Jobs described his early-1970s LSD trips (10–15 times over two years) as “profound”, crediting them with shaping his values prioritizing innovation and deep human connection over profit.
2. Sam Altman: From Anxiety to Calm
-
OpenAI’s Sam Altman calls his guided psychedelic retreat in Mexico a lifesaver. He credits it with easing deep-seated anxiety and launching a calmer mindset. Since then, he's supported clinical psychedelic ventures like Journey Colab.
3. Sergey Brin & Venture Funding
-
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has reportedly used psilocybin and has invested in psychedelic research through initiatives such as Catalyst4.
4. Bill Gates: A “Cosmic” Flash of Insight
-
Bill Gates has admitted to trying LSD in college and later described the experience as “cosmic”, even drawing a parallel between his brain and a computer deleting memory.
5. Demis Hassabis: Staying Grounded
-
DeepMind’s CEO Demis Hassabis avoided psychedelics altogether, choosing scientific exploration and gaming over drug experiences to preserve his finely tuned mental focus.
Why It’s Meaningful
-
Creativity and self‑reflection: Many leaders believe psychedelics offered profound personal insight, inspiring deeper meaning in their work.
-
Mental health adoption: What was once fringe behavior is now part of a broader cultural shift towards therapeutic psychedelics seen in investments from Silicon Valley and biotech.
-
A cautious balance: While some tech icons embrace these experiences, others like Hassabis prefer traditional, scientifically grounded paths highlighting a mindful debate on cognition and innovation.
.jpg)