On Saturday, President Donald Trump executed an executive order in the Oval Office to advance research and access to psychedelic substances—such as ibogaine, psilocybin, and LSD—as new treatment options for individuals with severe mental health disorders.
The directive provides new guidelines for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand researchers' access to these substances, which are currently classified as illegal drugs in the United States, under strictly controlled therapeutic settings.
"I am pleased to announce historic reforms aimed at dramatically accelerating access to new medical research and treatments based on psychedelic drugs," Trump stated prior to signing the order.
Joining Trump were Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; FDA Commissioner Marty Makary; popular podcast host Joe Rogan; and the Luttrell brothers, Marcus and Texas Republican Congressman and Navy veteran Morgan Luttrell.
Trump justified the initiative by referencing the suicide crisis among veterans: according to the 2024 annual report from the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S., with 6,407 deaths recorded in 2022 alone.
"In many cases, these experimental treatments have shown the potential to transform the lives of those suffering from severe mental illnesses and depression, including our beloved veterans," the president emphasized.
The order establishes fast-track evaluation and approval pathways through national priority certificates for psychedelics already designated as FDA Breakthrough Therapy.
It also instructs the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration to create an access mechanism for eligible patients—especially those with terminal illnesses—to obtain investigational psychedelics.
Additionally, the directive allocates $50 million through the advanced health research program to fund state programs using psychedelics for severe mental illnesses.
The Attorney General is tasked with reviewing the regulatory status of psychedelic substances that successfully complete phase three trials, aiming to facilitate their reclassification and medical use as soon as possible.
A study by Stanford University, published in July 2025, documented average reductions of 88% in PTSD symptoms, 87% in depression, and 81% in anxiety among 30 veterans treated with ibogaine one month after treatment.
Joe Rogan shared that he was the one who sent Trump information about ibogaine, and the president immediately responded, "Sounds great. Want FDA approval? Let's do it."
This initiative is part of the Make America Healthy Again movement, spearheaded by Kennedy since his confirmation as Health Secretary in February 2025, and comes months after Trump signed an order in December 2025 to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug to facilitate medical research.
"We owe it to our warriors and veterans to turn over every stone to alleviate the emotional and mental toll of their deployments," Trump concluded.
Exploring Psychedelics for Mental Health Treatment
What psychedelic substances are being considered for mental health treatment?
The substances include ibogaine, psilocybin, and LSD, which are being explored as potential treatments for severe mental health disorders.
Why is there a focus on psychedelic treatments for veterans?
The initiative addresses the high suicide rates among veterans, aiming to provide effective treatments for PTSD and depression, which are prevalent in this group.
How will the FDA facilitate access to these treatments?
The FDA is instructed to expand access and establish fast-track evaluation and approval pathways for psychedelics, under controlled therapeutic settings.