It’s no secret that psychedelics are popular in Silicon Valley. Apple visionary Steve Jobs was open about his penchant for LSD. Microdosing mushrooms is a common practice among the tech crowd, who tout the compound’s ability to keep them creative and focused. Now, another famed computer whiz has revealed he’s tried psychedelics as well—but not for the reason you may think.
RELATED: Popular celeb admits he’s on LSD during CNN’s New Year’s coverage
Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, reveals in his upcoming memoir Source Code that he, too, experimented with LSD in his youth. The clean-cut tech mogul said he tried acid with longtime friend and fellow Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in an attempt to be hip.
“Everything I did, I’m blaming it on him and Jimi Hendrix,” Gates said in an interview with People.
Gates shared he dropped acid on senior skip day and ended up still high at the dentist’s office the next day. In total, the philanthropist tripped four or five times. Recalling one particularly profound trip, Gates began comparing the human brain to that of a computer. Zeroing in on the ability to delete files, he wondered if he could make his brain delete all of its stored data as well—generating a ton of anxiety.
His concerns over damaging his internal PCU led the Microsoft head to leave LSD behind. Gates also noted he doesn’t endorse the drug because “…even though you think some of your thoughts are profound, in retrospect, they’re not.”
RELATED: Beloved sports announcer is “high 80% of the time”
It turns out Gates also smoked weed a handful of times “to try to look cool” and potentially impress women.
“It didn’t work out,” Gates admitted. “But I tried.”
Source Code is set to release on February 4th. The book is the first in a trilogy Gates plans to release, beginning with tales of his youth in Seattle. Future texts will cover his groundbreaking work with Microsoft, his philanthropic efforts, and his relationship with Melinda Gates. Release dates are to be determined, but given the public interest in the businessman’s journey, the books are sure to be hits.
