A rising trend in corporate America involves business leaders turning to hallucinogenic drugs, seeking peak performance and innovative thinking through a controversial coaching niche. This eccentric and unregulated offshoot of the $5 billion executive and life coaching industry is gaining attention, prompting concerns about legal, ethical, and health risks associated with the use of psychedelics in the workplace.
Paul Austin, a 33-year-old “microdosing coach” and founder of Third Wave, advocates for the use of psychedelics, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy), claiming they facilitate divergent, creative thinking in the age of artificial intelligence. However, this trend has sparked skepticism, especially as it targets ambitious hedge fund principals, entrepreneurs, and executives.
While some coaches openly operate in countries like Jamaica, where the drugs are not outlawed, others discreetly offer their services in the US, where psychedelics are federally illegal but often overlooked by authorities. The reported drug use of prominent figures like Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, and others has contributed to the growing attention on the impact of psychedelics in the business world.
Despite the optimism surrounding psychedelics for personal development, risks abound, including lasting perceptual distortions and potential detachment from reality. Hospital visits related to hallucinogens have risen, and legal risks persist, with seizures of psilocybin on the rise in the US.
Coaches offering psychedelic experiences range from traditional executive coaches to those promoting “ketitation” circles combining ketamine and meditation. While some clients express positive outcomes, concerns about vulnerability, suggestibility, and hasty decision-making post-drug experience have been raised.
As this unconventional coaching trend gains traction, it prompts discussions about the credibility of scientific research on psychedelics and the potential consequences of their use in professional settings. The intersection of drugs and Type-A personalities in the business world adds complexity to the issue, with entrepreneurs exploring psychedelic experiences on a broader scale. The controversial trend raises questions about the role of coaches and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of hallucinogenic substances in the pursuit of business success.
