April 18, 2026
Trump signs executive order directing FDA to review psychedelics designated as breakthrough therapy drugs
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the FDA to accelerate their review of "psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs."
TL;DR
- President Trump signed an executive order to expedite FDA review of psychedelics designated as breakthrough therapy drugs.
- The order aims to accelerate access to new medical research and treatments for severe mental illness and depression, with a focus on veterans.
- It seeks to clear bureaucratic hurdles, improve data sharing between the FDA and VA, and facilitate fast rescheduling of approved psychedelic drugs.
- A Stanford study showed an 80-90% reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms in special operations veterans treated with ibogaine.
- Texas committed $50 million to ibogaine research, and the federal government is making a matching $50 million investment.
- The order opens a pathway for ibogaine administration under the right-to-try law for desperately ill patients.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the move confronts the mental health crisis, noting high rates of serious mental illness and suicide, especially among veterans.
- Podcaster Joe Rogan was present, highlighting the impact of psychedelic medicine based on conversations with Bryan Hubbard and Rick Perry.