Trump signs executive order accelerating research into psychedelic drug therapies despite known deaths
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, to accelerate federal approval and research of psychedelic drug therapies, particularly ibogaine, for treating PTSD, depression, and addiction. Trump announced the order in the Oval Office alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, and podcaster Joe Rogan, framing the initiative as benefiting veterans with severe mental health conditions.
Ibogaine remains classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance with limited human research and documented serious safety risks, including potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, neurological complications, and gastrointestinal side effects. The Drug Enforcement Agency designates it as having high abuse potential and no currently accepted medical use, though Trump claimed the order would eliminate “unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles” in the approval process.
Psilocybin, found in psychedelic mushrooms, has stronger clinical evidence than ibogaine for treating depression and received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for treatment-resistant cases. A Nature Medicine review of 12 studies showed psilocybin combined with psychotherapy produced response rates nearly three times higher and remission rates approximately four times higher than control groups, though long-term safety data and real-world effectiveness remain uncertain.
MDMA, used for PTSD treatment, failed to gain FDA approval in 2024 despite its Breakthrough designation due to concerns over clinical trial conduct, inconsistent results, and safety issues requiring additional research. The executive order directs the FDA to expedite review of psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs and provides expedited rescheduling for any psychedelics later approved by the FDA for medical treatment.
Kennedy, who has criticized antidepressants and conventional mental health therapies, influenced the executive order through direct advocacy to Trump. Researchers emphasize that psychedelic treatments require careful medical supervision in controlled settings, with major safety concerns and limited data on long-term effects, even as early studies focus on severe, treatment-resistant mental health conditions.