Trump Signs Executive Order Accelerating Psychedelic Drug Approvals for Mental Health Treatment
President Trump has directed $50 million in federal funding and ordered the FDA to fast-track reviews of psilocybin and ibogaine for mental health conditions.
Trump Fast-Tracks Psychedelic Drug Approvals to Address Mental Health Crisis
President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at accelerating federal review and accessibility of certain psychedelic substances for the treatment of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Key Details of the Executive Order
The order directs $50 million in federal funding toward expanding access to psychedelic-based treatments and instructs the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its review of specific compounds, most notably psilocybin — the active ingredient found in so-called "magic mushrooms" — and ibogaine, a derivative of the West African iboga plant historically used to treat addiction.
In a lighthearted moment during the Oval Office signing ceremony, Trump drew laughter from the audience when he quipped, "Can I have some, please?" — a rare moment of levity surrounding an otherwise serious policy announcement.
High-Profile Supporters Joined the Ceremony
Trump was surrounded by a notable group of advocates during the signing. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, were both present. Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell — whose harrowing account of a mission in Afghanistan inspired the film Lone Survivor — also stood alongside the president, telling him, "You're going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better."
Podcast host Joe Rogan also attended, revealing that he had personally texted Trump about ibogaine. According to Rogan, the president replied, "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it."
FDA Set to Issue Priority Vouchers Within Days
FDA Commissioner Mary Makary announced that the agency will issue national priority vouchers to three psychedelic compounds in the coming week. These vouchers are designed to streamline the drug approval process significantly, potentially reducing review timelines to just a matter of weeks. This marks the first time in the agency's history that the FDA has offered to fast-track psychedelic substances.
A Growing Mental Health Emergency
Trump framed the executive order as a direct response to a deepening national mental health crisis. The order itself highlights that more than 14 million American adults currently live with a serious mental illness — defined as a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder — while approximately 8 million are actively taking prescription medication for such conditions.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, at least 21 million American adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode. Additionally, roughly one in ten Americans has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Veterans and Military Personnel at the Center of Research
The president emphasized the promising results observed in trials involving active-duty military personnel and veterans battling PTSD. The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently participating in at least five ongoing clinical trials across New York, California, and Oregon, underscoring a growing institutional commitment to exploring the therapeutic potential of these substances.
A Long Road Back to Legitimacy
Research into psychedelics is not entirely new. As far back as the 1950s, scientists were documenting the potential of these compounds in treating addiction and various psychiatric conditions. However, that research was largely halted in the 1960s when recreational use surged, leading to strict federal scheduling.
Today, scientific interest has been reignited. A landmark 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a single dose of LSD could effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression for several months.
Currently, both psilocybin and ibogaine remain classified as Schedule I substances under the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration — a designation indicating no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Trump's order is expected to fast-track the reclassification of both drugs. Notably, in 2024, the FDA rejected MDMA as a treatment for PTSD, making the current shift in federal stance all the more significant.
