Former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante has revealed that anxiety is considered a “superpower” in the world of espionage, as the agency actively recruits individuals with high anxiety due to their heightened awareness and attention to detail. “The best spies are not actually people who don’t have anxiety. The best ones are people with high anxiety,” Bustamante explained, adding that anxious individuals tend to be more observant, suspicious, and have stronger recollection skills.
Speaking on the Francesca Psychology Podcast, Bustamante noted that while anxiety can be useful, it must be carefully managed. “If anxiety goes unchecked, it can be very damaging,” he warned. The CIA, he explained, trains its operatives to harness their anxiety effectively, focusing on techniques like stress recovery, sleep management, and physical fitness to maintain peak mental performance.
The former spy described how the agency “weaponizes” anxiety by teaching recruits to control their responses instead of letting their worries spiral. “Anybody who has anxiety knows the spiral that comes with it. The CIA teaches us how to recover, recuperate, and maintain our energy reserves,” he said, emphasizing that structured routines and self-care are crucial for handling the psychological demands of intelligence work.
Bustamante’s insights challenge traditional perceptions of anxiety, framing it as a valuable asset rather than a weakness. While not everyone with anxiety is suited for espionage, his perspective suggests that the condition, when properly managed, can offer unique advantages in high-pressure environments.
