Trump Signs Order to Speed Review of Psychedelics, Including Ibogaine

The administration is taking steps to ease restrictions and spur research on using psychedelic drugs for medical purposes.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where the outline of a human brain is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the brain's complex structure and the potential of psychedelic drugs to unlock new mental health treatments.The federal government's new openness to researching psychedelic drugs could unlock new treatments for mental health conditions.Washington Today

President Donald Trump has directed his administration to speed up reviews of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, which has been embraced by combat veterans and conservative lawmakers despite having serious safety risks. The order will ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life, Trump said. The Food and Drug Administration will issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelics, which will allow certain drugs to be approved quickly.

Why it matters

Ibogaine and other psychedelics remain banned under the federal government's most restrictive category for illegal, high-risk drugs. But the administration is taking steps to ease restrictions and spur research on using the drugs for medical purposes, including conditions like severe depression. Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction.

The details

Trump's announcement follows pledges by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other administration officials to ease access to psychedelics for medical use, an issue that has won rare bipartisan support. The Food and Drug Administration next week will issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelics, which the agency's commissioner, Marty Makary, said will allow certain drugs to be approved quickly 'if they are in line with our national priorities.' The FDA is also taking steps to clear the way for the first-ever human trials of ibogaine in the U.S.

  • On Saturday, President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to speed up reviews of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine.
  • Next week, the FDA will issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelics, which will allow certain drugs to be approved quickly.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed an executive order directing his administration to speed up reviews of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health Secretary who has pledged to ease access to psychedelics for medical use.

Marty Makary

The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration who said the agency will issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelics to allow certain drugs to be approved quickly.

Frederick Barrett

The director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research who said it has been incredibly difficult to study ibogaine in the U.S. because of its known cardiotoxicity.

Ismail Lourido Ali

The co-executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies who said Trump's order might encourage other states to follow the Texas model of funding research programs at their universities.

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What they’re saying

“'Today's order will ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life.'”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“'If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, it's going to have a tremendous impact.'”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“'You're going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better.'”

— Marcus Luttrell, Former Navy SEAL

“'The stigma around Schedule I drugs is significant. It feels like this would give pretty substantial cover for Republican governors and legislatures to step into the ring in terms of funding research programs at their universities.'”

— Ismail Lourido Ali, Co-executive Director, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

“'There will be no insurance coverage, it will still be considered unapproved and non-covered care. But what it does mean is that ibogaine shifts from being fringe and underground to being federally acknowledged.'”

— Tom Feegel, Owner, Beond Ibogaine Clinic

What’s next

The FDA is taking steps to clear the way for the first-ever human trials of ibogaine in the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services will also direct at least $50 million to states that have enacted or are developing programs to advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness.

The takeaway

This executive order represents a significant shift in the federal government's approach to psychedelic drugs, moving from a stance of strict prohibition to one of cautious exploration of their potential medical benefits. While concerns remain about the safety of ibogaine in particular, the order could pave the way for more research and potentially wider access to these drugs for those suffering from mental health conditions.