Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI, has sparked renewed interest in the rising trend of psychedelic use among tech elites.
In a candid discussion on the podcast Life in Seven Songs, Altman shared how his “totally incredible” experiences with psychedelics have profoundly transformed his outlook on life, shifting him from being a “very anxious, unhappy person” to “calm.”
“If you had told me that, like, one weekend-long retreat in Mexico was going to significantly change that, I would have said absolutely not,” Altman stated on Tuesday’s episode. “And it really did.”
However, while he was extolling the transformative effects of psychedelics on his mental health and creativity, another tech figure was sounding a cautionary note this week.
In a viral post on X—formerly Twitter—on Monday, Austen Allred, the cofounder and CEO of BloomTech, wrote, “Of the Silicon Valley founders I know who went on some of the psychedelic self-discovery trips, almost 100% quit their jobs as CEO within a year. Could be random anecdotes, but be careful with that stuff.”
Allred’s statement was in response to a claim that Silicon Valley has lost “really good founders to ayahuasca,” a traditional Amazonian psychedelic concoction said to expand consciousness and facilitate healing from past traumas. He went on to state that these eight CEOs were among the caliber of the “hottest” companies in tech.
This revelation raises questions about the potential consequences of psychedelic experiences and the evolving attitudes toward alternative therapies in Silicon Valley’s high-pressure culture.
What Is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a potent psychedelic brew that combines the leaves of the Psychotria viridis plant, which contain the powerful hallucinogen DMT, with the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, rich in monoamine oxidase inhibitors that prevent DMT’s breakdown in the digestive system. The resulting synergy produces an intense, often transformative experience by enhancing serotonergic activity in the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The active compounds in ayahuasca are found to produce profound alterations in consciousness, including visual and auditory hallucinations, altered sense of self and reality, enhanced introspection and emotional processing, feelings of euphoria or anxiety and potential nausea and vomiting, which is considered part of the cleansing process. Effects typically begin within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption and can last four to six hours.
The Transformative Properties Of Ayahuasca
While traditionally used in religious and healing rituals by indigenous Amazonian cultures, ayahuasca is now attracting interest from tech entrepreneurs seeking alternative approaches to elevated thinking, personal growth, emotional healing and spiritual exploration.
The psychedelic experience offered by ayahuasca is said to unlock novel thought patterns that may be inaccessible through conventional thinking, which may be particularly appealing in tech where innovation can lead to competitive advantage. It enables them to dismantle the obstacles that hinder their ability to realize their full potential as founders and CEOs.
Additionally, proponents suggest that ayahuasca can aid in healing past trauma, which studies have linked to entrepreneurship. A 2022 publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that individuals who faced childhood trauma tend to have a higher tolerance for risk and are more likely to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Executives also look to ayahuasca as an alternative to traditional therapies for addressing issues like burnout, depression and anxiety. Its consumption can lead to improved emotional regulation, according to research. Participants in a 2019 observational study demonstrated a reduced tendency toward negative judgments and impulsive emotional responses when faced with challenging situations.
Emotional regulation is critical in order to be an effective leader, particularly in the high-stakes world of tech entrepreneurship. By maintaining emotional equilibrium, CEOs and executives can think more clearly and make rational choices, avoiding impulsive reactions that could have far-reaching consequences. A leader’s emotional state has a profound ripple effect throughout an organization. When CEOs effectively regulate their emotions, they set a positive tone that permeates the entire company culture, fostering a more productive and harmonious work environment.
Moreover, the introspective nature of the ayahuasca experience can catalyze profound self-reflection. For many leaders, this translates into a reevaluation of core values, a deeper understanding of personal motivations and a quest for purpose that transcends immediate corporate objectives. This introspection can lead to more authentic and purposeful leadership styles.
The Negative Side Effects
While tech entrepreneurs turn to ayahuasca for its purported benefits, recent findings from the Global Ayahuasca Survey reveal a concerning flipside to its use.
The study found that over half of the respondents (56%) reported experiencing adverse effects on their mental health in the days and weeks following ayahuasca consumption. These negative impacts ranged from hallucinations and feelings of disconnection to anxiety, depression and disturbing thoughts or sensations. For some users, these side effects were severe enough to necessitate professional mental health intervention.
DMT use can potentially lead to severe medical emergencies, such as coma, seizures and asphyxiation. The risk of these life-threatening complications increases significantly when DMT is used in combination with other substances, particularly alcohol or opioids, according to Cleveland Clinic.
“My main concern around ayahuasca is the risk of overdose and the risk of immediate harm to people experiencing the effects of the drug,” said addiction psychiatrist Dr. David Streem. “Elevated heart rate and blood pressure indicate that there’s increased stress on the heart and increased heart oxygen needs, which increases the risk of heart attack.”
Source: Forbes
