Psychedelics have found a unique following among some of Silicon Valley’s most well-known entrepreneurs.
Several prominent tech billionaires have publicly discussed their experiences using substances like LSD, magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca.
While not everyone in the industry is interested in mind-altering experiences, a growing number view psychedelics as tools for creativity, insight, and mental clarity.
From the late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs to OpenAI’s Sam Altman, the relationship between psychedelics and innovation is becoming harder to ignore.
Steve Jobs Believed LSD Was Life-Changing
Steve Jobs was open about his use of LSD during his youth.
In interviews and in his biography, Jobs described the experience as one of the most important of his life.
He said it helped him focus on creating meaningful work over making money.
Between 1972 and 1974, Jobs used LSD multiple times before eventually stopping.
He said those trips shaped his worldview and influenced Apple’s culture of creativity and design.
Jobs believed LSD helped him understand what really matters, contributing to the legacy he left behind.
Sam Altman Describes His Psychedelic Use as Transformative
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also spoken about his personal experiences with psychedelics.
In a podcast appearance, he explained how a guided psychedelic retreat in Mexico changed his life.
Altman described himself as anxious and unhappy before the experience.
Afterward, he felt calm and more balanced.
He emphasized that these were not casual recreational uses but deeply intentional experiences.
Altman has supported psychedelic research and therapy through investments, including his role in Journey Colab, a company developing psychedelic treatments for addiction.
Sergey Brin and Magic Mushrooms
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has not publicly confirmed his psychedelic use, but reports suggest otherwise.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Brin has consumed psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms.
He is also involved in Catalyst4, a nonprofit firm that has committed $15 million to research the effects of psychedelic treatments.
Although Brin hasn’t spoken out about his experiences, his involvement in the space suggests a clear interest in the subject.
Bill Gates Recounts Trying LSD in His Memoir
Bill Gates revealed in interviews and his memoir that he experimented with LSD during high school and college.
Initially hesitant, he later tried the substance at a friend’s birthday party and described the trip as “cosmic.”
Gates compared the experience to a computer resetting itself.
Despite being amazed at the time, he said the effects were strange enough that he didn’t continue using it regularly.
He also mentioned Steve Jobs once advised him to take LSD to improve his design instincts, though Gates joked that he “got the batch for code instead.”
Demis Hassabis Avoids Psychedelics for Mental Clarity
Not every Silicon Valley leader sees psychedelics as beneficial.
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, has spoken against using substances like LSD.
He said that his understanding of neuroscience has made him cautious about altering his brain chemistry.
Hassabis believes his mental clarity is essential to his work and doesn’t want to risk changing how his mind functions.
Instead, he turns to science, gaming, and science fiction for inspiration and insight.
A Growing Trend with Diverse Perspectives
The use of psychedelics in Silicon Valley is no longer just a curiosity.
With increased investment in psychedelic startups and public endorsements from influential figures, it is becoming a topic of serious discussion.
Some see it as a shortcut to deep introspection and innovation.
Others, like Demis Hassabis, remain skeptical due to the potential risks.
Regardless of viewpoint, psychedelics have clearly become part of the modern tech culture in surprising and influential ways.