Business executives are increasingly turning to psychedelics, arguing that their companies have benefited from the practice. Henrik Zillmer, CEO of Airhelp, a flight compensation startup, is one such executive. He participated in an ayahuasca ceremony, a psychedelic brew from the Amazon, not only for personal development but also for the betterment of his company. Despite having previous experiences with mushrooms and LSD, Zillmer found the ayahuasca experience to be far more profound.

Zillmer's ayahuasca journey took place during a 12-day retreat in Peru, part of a three-month program offered by Entrepreneurs Awakening, costing $10,000 per person. The experience was intense, but ultimately, he surrendered to the effects of the DMT-containing brew. He described the experience as clearing away mental clutter and connecting him with his true self.

The impact of this experience significantly influenced how Zillmer ran his company, which employs over 350 people. He shifted his focus from numbers to people, doubling the human resources team and expanding employee benefits. He attributes these changes to his psychedelic retreat, stating that the focus shifted from what employees could do for him to what he could do for them.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of CEOs participating in ceremonies involving hallucinogens like ayahuasca or 5-MeO-DMT. This trend, referred to as the "shamanification" of CEOs, has also sparked interest in soul readings, ascetic diets, and silent retreats.

Kevin Canella, founder of Thank You Life, a nonprofit that subsidizes psychedelic therapy, notes that many business leaders donate to help others have transformative plant medicine experiences after their own journeys. Some executives, inspired by their experiences, are exploring ways to provide psychedelic therapy to their employees. For instance, Toms Shoes' founder pledged a quarter of his net worth, $100m, to psychedelic research.

However, there are concerns about whether companies are motivated by employee care or increased productivity. Charlotte James, founder of the Psychedelic Liberation Training, argues that the primary driver of capitalism is productivity. She expresses concern about the future of naturally-found psychedelic medicines and the ecosystems they come from.

Academic interest in the phenomenon of business leaders using psychedelics has increased. Researchers at the University of Maryland's school of business are investigating the changes these experiences can have on business leaders. Preliminary results indicate sustained increases in perceived connectedness to self, others, and the wider world, as well as subtle but significant changes in their ability to relate to and work with different personality types.

However, not all CEOs return from their psychedelic experiences with a renewed passion for their companies. Some, like former CEO Nathan Hesselgrave, decided to retire after their experiences. Hesselgrave, who was previously a workaholic, became more efficient and compassionate after a 5-MeO-DMT ceremony, but six months later, he decided to retire early.

Anne Phillippi, journalist and founder of Penelope Ventures, a concierge service helping executives navigate the psychedelic treatment world, notes that many CEOs in their 30s are seeking access to psychedelics. They often feel on the verge of burnout or conflict with their co-founders. More than half of high-potential startups are believed to fail due to co-founder conflict and immature leadership. Zillmer adds that many people in Silicon Valley have tried or are regularly using psychedelics, though not all of them speak openly about it.

As the trend of psychedelics in business leadership continues to grow, it's clear that the boardroom is becoming a new frontier for these transformative experiences, reshaping the way we understand productivity, empathy, and innovation.