Executive Order Accelerates Psychedelic Drug Research for Mental Health Treatment

On April 18, 2026, an executive order was signed directing federal agencies to accelerate the research and regulatory review of psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine and psilocybin, for potential treatment of serious mental illnesses. The order allocates at least $50 million in federal funds to support state-level research programs and instructs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement measures to expedite the development and approval process for these substances.

Key Directives of the Executive Order

The order outlines several specific policy directives for federal agencies:

• FDA Review Prioritization: The FDA Commissioner is directed to issue National Priority Vouchers to psychedelic drugs that have received a Breakthrough Therapy designation. These vouchers are intended to shorten regulatory review times.
• Establishing a 'Right to Try' Pathway: The FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are instructed to establish a pathway for eligible patients to access psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, under the existing Right to Try Act.
• Federal-State Collaboration & Funding: The Secretary of Health and Human Services is to allocate at least $50 million from existing funds to support state governments developing psychedelic drug research and treatment programs.
• Interagency Collaboration: The Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA are to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector to increase participation in clinical trials and data sharing.
• Rescheduling Review: The Attorney General is directed to initiate a review for rescheduling any Schedule I substance that has successfully completed Phase 3 clinical trials for a serious mental health disorder, contingent on FDA approval.

Background on the Substances and Current Status

Psychedelic drugs such as ibogaine, psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD are currently classified as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification denotes that the federal government considers them to have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.

• Ibogaine: Derived from the root bark of a West African shrub, ibogaine has been cited in the order and by veteran organizations as showing potential for treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid addiction. Scientific evidence currently consists largely of small observational studies. Research by the National Institutes of Health on ibogaine was discontinued in the 1990s due to concerns about cardiovascular toxicity, including the potential to cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. A 2023 review of medical literature noted at least 27 deaths associated with ibogaine use.

• Psilocybin and Other Psychedelics: Psilocybin is the active compound in "magic mushrooms." Research on psychedelics for psychiatric conditions began in the 1950s, was largely halted in the 1960s, and has resumed in recent decades. A 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that a single dose of LSD could reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression for months. In 2024, the FDA rejected an application for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.

Context and Reported Rationale

The order cites national mental health statistics, stating that over 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness and that suicide rates increased by 37% between 2000 and 2018. It also notes that the veteran suicide rate is more than twice that of the non-veteran adult population.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently participating in at least five trials of psychedelic drugs. Some U.S. veterans have reported benefits after receiving ibogaine treatment at clinics in Mexico, where it is legally administered with medical monitoring. A recent Stanford University study of 30 veterans treated in Mexico reported improvements in symptoms of traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depression, and anxiety; the study did not include a placebo control group.

At the state level, Oregon and Colorado have legalized psilocybin therapy in regulated settings. Last year, Texas enacted a law providing $50 million for ibogaine research.

Statements and Reactions

During the signing ceremony, several individuals made statements:

• President Trump stated the order would "dramatically accelerate access to new medical research and treatments" and that if the treatments are "as good as people are saying, it’s going to have a tremendous impact."
• FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the priority vouchers would allow certain drugs to be approved quickly if they align with national priorities and that the FDA would begin the process to enable human trials for ibogaine.
• Podcast host Joe Rogan stated he had previously texted President Trump about ibogaine, receiving a reply that said, "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it."
• Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell told the President, "You're going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better."

Reactions from researchers and advocates included:

• Frederick Barrett, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, noted the historical difficulty of studying ibogaine in the U.S. due to safety concerns but said enabling objective research could help determine its efficacy.
• Ismail Lourido Ali of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies suggested the order might encourage more states to fund research.
• Tom Feegel of Beond Ibogaine, which operates a clinic in Mexico, said the order shifts ibogaine from being "fringe and underground to being federally acknowledged."

The order states that its implementation is subject to applicable law and the availability of appropriations and that it does not create any legally enforceable right or benefit.