Psychedelic Drugs Gain Presidential Support for Mental Health Treatment
In a significant move to address mental health issues, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to increase the availability of certain psychedelic drugs for treating conditions such as depression and anxiety. The order allocates $50 million in federal funds to enhance access to these drugs and instructs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite their review process, particularly focusing on psilocybin and ibogaine.
During the signing ceremony, President Trump humorously remarked, “Can I have some, please?” to the amusement of those present. He was accompanied by notable figures including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, and podcast host Joe Rogan.
Rogan shared that he had texted Trump regarding ibogaine, prompting the president to respond enthusiastically, “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.” Luttrell added, “You’re going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better.”
The FDA is set to issue national priority vouchers next week, accelerating the review process for three psychedelics. Commissioner Mary Makary stated that this initiative marks the first instance of the FDA fast-tracking psychedelics, potentially approving them within weeks.
President Trump emphasized the potential of psychedelics in tackling the national mental health crisis, which includes issues like suicide. The executive order notes, “Today, over 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness, defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. And about 8 million are on prescription medication for these conditions.” Read the full order here.
The president highlighted successful trials of psychedelic drugs on military personnel and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently involved in several trials across various states.
Research on psychedelics has a historical background, with promising findings in the 1950s. Although government research ceased in the 1960s due to recreational misuse, recent studies have resumed. A 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that a single dose of LSD could alleviate anxiety and depression for extended periods. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 21 million American adults have experienced a major depressive episode, with approximately one in ten diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Currently, psilocybin and ibogaine are classified as Schedule I drugs, indicating “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” as stated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Psilocybin is found in “magic mushrooms,” while ibogaine, derived from the West African iboga plant, has been used to treat certain addictions. The president’s order aims to reclassify these drugs for medical use, with expectations for swift FDA approval. In 2024, the FDA had rejected MDMA’s approval for PTSD treatment.
