Rick Springfield Reveals Why He Began Micro-Dosing LSD After Ending Ketamine Therapy (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Rick Springfield.Photo:Jay Gilbert

Jay Gilbert

Rick Springfieldis getting candid about experimenting with drugs as treatment for depression.

In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, the “Jessie’s Girl” singer, 75, shares that he recently tried ketamine therapy to help treat his depression, which he’s battled since he was a teen.

“I wanted to see if it’d open a few things in my brain,” says Springfield. “It was a creative experiment and an experiment on depression. I did it for as long as suggested, and I wasn’t a big fan. It made me feel heavy and machinelike. It didn’t change much in me — although I have been writing a lot, so you never know what kind of effect it has later on. It’s not a black-and-white kind of thing.”

Now, Springfield says he’s more interested in “micro-dosing.”

“I did acid, and that was actually a little better,” he says. “I hadn’t done that since I was in my 20s, but it was a great high. I don’t mean to push drugs on anyone, but I’m not averse to anything that helps me be happier and a better person. I could use some help in that area. I’m always searching.”

Another move that has helped him significantly in hisdepression journeyis the decision to cut back on alcohol two years ago.

“That has actually helped more than anything,” he says. “I was drinking quite a bit, and as you get older, it’s kind of a natural thing to drop all that s—. I’m not [in] AA — I mean, I know a lot of people it’s worked for. I’ll have a couple of sips of vodka or something when I’m onstage, but I don’t drink any other time.”

Lately, Springfield says he’s also been making more time for life’s small joys, like walking along the beach with hiswife of 40 years, Barbara Porter, 61, and their dog.

Long an outspoken mental health advocate, Springfield — who recently released Volume 2 of hisGreatest Hitsalbum and will set out on his I Want My ’80s tour on May 28 — says sharing his personal journey with depression has “helped me a lot.”

“I want people to know they’re not alone," he says. “It’s like sharing grief when someone dies, it’s very powerful.”

source: people.com