As Elon Musk became one of Donald Trump’s closest allies last year, leading raucous rallies and donating about $US275 million ($428 million) to help him win the presidency, he was also using drugs far more intensely than previously known, according to people familiar with his activities.

Musk’s drug consumption went well beyond occasional use. He told people he was taking so much ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, that it was affecting his bladder, a known effect of chronic use. He took Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. And he travelled with a daily medication box that held about 20 pills, including ones with the markings of the stimulant Adderall, according to a photo of the box and people who have seen it.