Trump’s Bold Move: Fast-Tracking Psychedelics for Mental Health Treatment
In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at making psychedelic drugs more accessible for the treatment of mental health conditions. This move is backed by a $50 million allocation of federal funds and a directive for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the review process for drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine.
President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Saturday in Washington.Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
“Can I have some, please?” Trump quipped, drawing laughter from those present in the Oval Office. In attendance were figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, and podcast host Joe Rogan.
Joe Rogan revealed he texted Trump regarding ibogaine, to which the president replied, “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.”
Former Navy SEAL Marcus 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 for three psychedelics, expediting their review process. This marks the first instance of the FDA fast-tracking psychedelics, with Commissioner Mary Makary indicating approvals could occur within weeks.
Trump described psychedelics as a potential solution to a national mental health crisis, noting that “over 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness,” and about 8 million are on prescription medication for these conditions, according to the order.
Highlighting successes in treating veterans and active military personnel with PTSD, Trump noted the Department of Veterans Affairs’ involvement in multiple trials across the United States.
Research on psychedelics, paused in the 1960s due to recreational concerns, has seen a resurgence. A 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a single dose of LSD could alleviate anxiety and depression for months.
Despite being classified as Schedule I drugs, meaning they have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, psilocybin and ibogaine are gaining attention for their therapeutic potential.
Trump’s executive order aims to accelerate the reclassification of these substances, anticipating swift FDA approval. Previously, in 2024, the FDA had rejected approval for MDMA in PTSD treatment.
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