LSD is not a KPI; CEO fired for taking drugs

CEO Justin Zhu brought a whole new meaning to the term work trip after getting fired for microdosing LSD while on the clock.

Zhu reportedly took a limited amount of acid right before a meeting back in 2019 in an attempt to boost his focus. Although he was removed from his position as chief executive officer at marketing startup Iterable Inc., the research literature actually supports some cognitive benefits associated with micro-doing LSD.

Iterable’s co-founder, Andrew Boni said Zhu’s firing was due to violations of “Iterable’s Employee Handbook, policies, and values,” in a company email.

Boni—who has since replaced Zhu, did not specify what these violations were. The latter maintains that his use of a psychedelic at the office was the primary reason for his removal.

What happens when you microdose LSD

“We recruited 909 participants from all over the world using forums like r/microdosing. In one section of our survey, 278 participants told us about the three main benefits of microdosing for them,” the authors of a recent paper published in the Harm Reduction Journal wrote.

“The three most commonly reported benefits were: improved mood, increased focus, and enhanced creativity.”

Does LSD help productivity?

There may be an argument to be made in favor of researching LSD application to productivity and output. Considering the drug is sometimes clinically administered to patients, its use can plausibly be defended from an academic standpoint; saying nothing of the successful, non-rockstars who have championed LSD. This long list includes Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs, physician Andrew Weil, podcast host Joe Rogan, and actress and activist Susan Sarandon.

Microdosing is becoming increasingly popular among Silicon Valley developers. Members of the tech sector are reportedly appreciating LSD as a performance-enhancing drug of sorts.

But it isn’t just reserved for experimental Silicon Valley players. It is spreading across industries and cities, according to the BBC. Recently, German investor, Christian Angermayer, made billions off bitcoin after tripping on mushrooms.

“It was the single most meaningful thing I’ve ever done in my whole life,” Angermayer said of the experience.

The question is when will this become a real career trend that doesn’t get you fired but possibly promoted instead? Boni referred to Zhu as a world-class innovator and creative thinker” whose “vision, creativity, and passion will remain a core part of our culture.”

You don’t get that kind of acclaim drinking kombucha.