The Elon Musk-inspired ketamine craze sweeping Australia
by Michael Smith · Australian Financial ReviewMichael SmithHealth editor
May 22, 2026 – 8.00pm
Elon Musk takes it, actor Matthew Perry died from it, and now thousands of Australians are accessing ketamine to treat severe depression.
Initially developed as a short-acting anaesthetic administered in field hospitals during the Vietnam War, ketamine went on to become widely used as an animal tranquiliser and a popular 1990s party drug dubbed Special K.
Loading...
Save
Log in or Subscribe to save article
Share
Copy link
Copied
Copy link
Copied
Share via...
Gift this article
Subscribe to gift this article
Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.
Already a subscriber? Login
Introducing your Newsfeed
Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Read More
Michael SmithHealth editorMichael Smith is the health editor for The Australian Financial Review. He is based in Sydney. Connect with Michael on Twitter. Email Michael at michael.smith@afr.com
Latest In Health & education
Fetching latest articles