How the Right Coopted Psychedelics

Psychedelics have shifted from a left-associated counterculture symbol into a mainstream toolkit embraced by parts of the political right and tech elites. The piece links this realignment to prominent figures and moments, including Elon Musk discussing ketamine, Rick Perry becoming associated with MDMA after meeting a PTSD-stricken Navy SEAL, and proposals framing psychedelic therapy for veterans as patriotism with measurable outcomes. It argues that cultural power determines what drugs mean: psychedelics can be reinterpreted from ego-dissolving spiritual practice into performance, optimization, and clinical or utilitarian goals. The article also highlights ongoing contradictions, such as praising certain psychedelics while continuing to resist related policy reforms or maintaining punitive approaches, and concludes that the “malleability of culture” will keep relocating psychedelic symbolism as political and social confidence shifts.