What is the "Cali Sober" trend?

In recent years, in the United States, more and more people identify with the label “California Sober”: these are individuals who seek to limit, if not completely eliminate, alcohol consumption, in favor of other psychoactive substances – such as marijuana or psychedelics, taken in very low doses. The Wall Street Journal, to illustrate the extent of the phenomenon, tells the story of a person who, like many others, began to experience the harmful effects of alcohol on their physical and emotional health. In search of a less harmful alternative, they turned to microdosing psychedelics. This trend fits into a broader context of growing awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol and the desire to find solutions that, on the one hand, preserve the recreational aspect and, on the other, better ensure psychophysical well-being – at least on paper. The “California Sober” phenomenon reflects a cultural shift that is redefining the very concept of sobriety. As noted by The Guardian, these individuals «are not truly sober people, but they have still made a decision with a harm reduction perspective». Alcohol consumption, in fact, is gradually ceasing to be an essential component of nightlife and social interactions – albeit with some challenges. At the same time, the microdosing of psychedelics – especially in California – is gaining popularity. However, their use in recreational contexts, even if controlled, raises several safety concerns.

As the Wall Street Journal writes, LSD and other similar substances are gaining more and more attention – also due to their potential mental health benefits. Elon Musk, for example, has described microdosing ketamine as a more effective alternative to traditional medications for treating depression. This substance, also known for its psychedelic effects, has been the subject of research for years in the treatment of severe forms of depression, with promising results. However, the use of psychotropic substances can have unpredictable consequences, depending on the context of use and individual characteristics. Hallucinogens produce very different effects compared to alcohol, and the long-term mental health impacts are not yet fully understood. For this reason, experts recommend a cautious and responsible approach in all cases.

Why California Is Obsessed with Psychedelics

It is not surprising that this phenomenon has spread particularly in California. In fact, many leaders and executives of the state’s major tech companies have a certain familiarity with drug use – a topic that raises a much broader question: what are the repercussions of occasional or habitual psychedelic use on the ideas, behaviors, and decisions of the world's most influential people? Interest in psychotropic substances among Silicon Valley leaders is nothing new.

Since the region’s early days, the idea of "enhancing" cognitive abilities and gaining alternative perspectives on reality through psychedelic use has been a central element of Silicon Valley. This approach is deeply rooted in California's youth counterculture of the 1960s. During that period, psychedelic research in the state overlapped with the interest of many young entrepreneurs eager to explore how the human mind could be stimulated and improved to foster creativity. The early experiments with these substances in the area not only fueled a growing fascination with psychedelics but also spread the idea that they could be useful tools for expanding cognitive abilities – without incurring excessive dangers. In this way, psychedelics profoundly influenced the culture of Silicon Valley first, and then the entire state, contributing in part to today’s spread and acceptance of the “California Sober” phenomenon.