Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday aimed at accelerating research into ibogaine, a psychedelic drug promoted by Joe Rogan, for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and traumatic brain injuries. Ibogaine is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has been heavily restricted and difficult to study.
The order seeks to remove legal barriers that have limited scientific research into the drug, enabling more comprehensive studies on its safety and effectiveness. It also directs the Food and Drug Administration to establish protocols for the safe therapeutic use of psychedelics and to improve data sharing among researchers studying these treatments.
Early research suggests ibogaine may help address mental health conditions such as addiction and PTSD, particularly among U.S. veterans. Trump emphasized his commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments, stating that the initiative could give patients suffering from severe symptoms a chance to improve their quality of life.
Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, described the order as a major shift in U.S. policy toward psychedelic drugs, highlighting its potential to transform treatment approaches for mental health and neurological conditions.
