Latest news with #SelectiveSerotoninReuptakeInhibitor
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Elon Musk's tryst with drugs: From ‘good for investors' to only ‘tried prescription ketamine', here's what he's said…
Tech Billionaire Elon Musk on June 1 dismissed allegations of extensive drug use in a post on his self-owned social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Responding to a user joking about the speculations, Elon Musk wrote that he used prescription ketamine 'a few years back' and has not had it since, claiming that the New York Times report on the matter, was 'lies'. However, in previous statements on drug use, especially ketamine, the world's richest person had admitted to using drugs, claiming that it benefitted investors in his company. Responding to a user on X, discussing mental health and drug prescriptions related to the condition, Elon Musk endorsed ketamine as the better option, compared to SSRIs. Known in full as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRIs are a type of antidepressant medication prescribed to ease symptoms of moderate to severe depression, according to the Mayo Clinic. 'Depression is overdiagnosed in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue. But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I've seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option,' Elon Musk wrote on June 27, 2023. Later, in an interview with CNN's Don Lemon, published on March 18, 2024, Elon Musk admitted to using ketamine and claimed that this is 'beneficial for investors' and that it helps him manage a 'negative chemical state'. Ketamine is used to treat pain and depression and in heavy doses is used as a sedative. 'From the standpoint of Wall Street, what matters is execution. For investors, if there's something I'm taking, I should keep taking it,' Musk told Lemon. Following an NYT report that Elon Musk used ketamine so heavily that it caused bladder problems, the Tesla and SpaceX chief again made his stance known more publicly, albiet with seeming u-turn on his previous admittance. '… to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off. I tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven't taken it since then (sic),' he wrote on June 1. According to the NYT report published on May 30, Elon Musk's drug use was allegedly 'more heavy' than previously known. It claimed that he took ketamine often, and also occasionally used Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. Responding to queries from Bloomberg, Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the NYT defended the report as 'thoroughly sourced'. He added that reporters 'interviewed a dozen people' who know or worked with Elon Musk, and saw private text messages, legal documents and photographic evidence. 'We provided Musk with multiple opportunities to reply or rebut their reporting before publication and he declined, opting instead to try to distract with a social post and no evidence,' Stadtlander told Bloomber via email. (With inputs from Agencies)
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Can gym supplements reduce depression? A psychiatrist explains what creatine boosters do to your body
Of late, social media influencers have been claiming that creatine, a compound that powers your muscles during workouts and available as gym supplements, can reduce your depression by 60 per cent and that it's a missing ingredient in one's mental health. However, taking creatine supplements arbitrarily can be risky as it is not part of standard psychiatric treatment protocols, according to Dr Anil Kumar, psychiatrist, at Paras Health, Gurugram. 'Even we recommend it only as an adjunctive or supportive supplement in very specific cases, but only after a detailed assessment,' he says. Overdoing dosage may end up elevating blood pressure, damaging the liver and kidneys. What is creatine and is it being prescribed by psychiatrists? Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in muscle cells that helps produce energy during high-intensity activity or stress. A supplement is used by athletes and body-builders for enhanced performance, muscle mass and faster recovery. It works by replenishing the body's ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores, which provide energy for muscle contractions. Emerging research has indicated that creatine may play a role in the process by which the brain obtains and uses energy. In recent years, some studies have explored its potential in managing depressive symptoms, particularly treatment-resistant depression. However, it is not yet part of standard psychiatric treatment protocols. It is recommended as a supportive therapy on a case-specific basis. Does a supplement work as a supportive therapy? Clinical studies have shown mood improvements in patients with treatment-resistant depression. For example, in a small study of women with major depressive disorder, those taking five grams of creatine daily along with an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) showed faster and greater improvement compared to those on SSRIs alone. However, these findings are preliminary and not universally applicable. There have also been anecdotal reports where individuals took creatine on their own after hearing about its mood benefits online. While some reported feeling more energized or motivated, others noticed no change or experienced minor side effects like bloating. What happens if somebody uses creatine supplements for depression? If a patient chooses to use creatine for depression—either self-prescribed or under medical supervision— know that it can only be an alternative or supportive treatment, especially if traditional therapies like antidepressants or psychotherapy show limited results. While some anecdotal and early clinical evidence suggests potential mood-lifting effects due to creatine's impact on brain energy metabolism, its use should be monitored. Self-medication without understanding dosage or interactions can be risky. What effect can it have on those who use it regularly? In healthy individuals, regular creatine use in recommended doses is generally considered safe. However, long-term or excessive use without medical supervision can strain the kidneys, especially in those with pre-existing renal issues. Some users may also experience water retention, gastrointestinal issues, or muscle cramping. When used for mental health, there's insufficient long-term safety data. Therefore, always go for a doctor consultation.
