Trump Signs Order to Accelerate Psychedelic Drug Treatments

The executive order aims to speed up FDA review and reclassification of drugs like ibogaine for mental health conditions.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:05am

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An abstract, glowing neon figure in a meditative pose, surrounded by swirling neon lines and shapes, conceptually representing the potential of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions.The executive order aims to accelerate research and access to psychedelic drugs that could provide new mental health treatments.Washington Today

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday intended to expedite access to medical research and treatment based on psychedelic drugs like ibogaine. The order directs the FDA to accelerate the review process for these substances, which are currently classified as Schedule I drugs with no accepted medical use. Trump said the reforms would pave the way for the drugs, which can cause hallucinations, to be reclassified after successful clinical trials. The administration also pledged $50 million in federal research funding for ibogaine.

Why it matters

Psychedelic drugs like ibogaine have shown promise in treating mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, especially among military veterans. However, their Schedule I classification has severely limited access and research. This executive order represents a significant shift in federal policy that could dramatically improve treatment options for those struggling with mental health issues.

The details

The executive order instructs the FDA to expedite the review of drugs such as ibogaine, which is derived from a shrub native to Africa. Ibogaine is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, meaning it is deemed to have 'no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.' The order aims to reclassify ibogaine and similar drugs after successful clinical trials, which could pave the way for their use in medical treatment. U.S. military veteran groups have advocated for the use of ibogaine to treat PTSD, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed it as an alternative treatment for mental health conditions.

  • Trump signed the executive order on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • The FDA could make decisions on the reclassification of these drugs as soon as this summer.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the executive order.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The U.S. Health Secretary who has championed the use of psychedelic drugs like ibogaine as alternative treatments for mental health conditions.

Marty Makary

The Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Marcus Luttrell

A U.S. military veteran who attended the signing ceremony.

Morgan Luttrell

A Texas Republican Representative who attended the signing ceremony and plans to push for legislation on ibogaine.

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What they’re saying

“I've been hearing about it a little bit over the last year. I never heard anything about it in the past. It was almost like, taboo. It's not taboo anymore.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“We will continue working in Congress to build on the president's leadership and expand access to this life-saving treatment.”

— Morgan Luttrell, Texas Republican Representative

What’s next

The Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration has not yet reclassified marijuana, despite a previous executive order from Trump in December. It remains to be seen how quickly the FDA will act to reclassify ibogaine and other psychedelic drugs under this new order.

The takeaway

This executive order represents a major shift in federal policy towards psychedelic drugs, which have long been stigmatized despite their potential therapeutic benefits. If successful, it could dramatically improve access to alternative mental health treatments, especially for military veterans and others struggling with conditions like PTSD and depression.