Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a new executive order aimed at boosting research into psychedelic substances for mental health treatment, potentially setting the stage for their regulated use.
According to insiders, Trump is in the process of crafting this directive, which would offer fresh guidelines for scientific exploration of psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine, as reported by The Washington Post.
During a conversation with journalists on Air Force One last Friday, Trump hinted at an upcoming announcement slated for Saturday morning concerning a matter he is passionate about.
He described the forthcoming disclosure as a ‘very positive thing,’ mentioning that he would be accompanied by an individual who is ‘very good, very smart, very caring’ to make the official announcement.
Initial details were shared by CBS News, indicating that the executive order aims to facilitate federal funding for studies on ibogaine’s potential in treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries.
Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound that naturally occurs in the root of a shrub indigenous to Central Africa.
The drug is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning there are no accepted medical uses for it and a high potential for abuse.
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign a new executive order that will increase research into psychedelic drugs used to treat mental illnesses
Trump is said to be in talks to draft the order, which would release new guidance for medical research on drugs such as psilocybin and ibogaine
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive from the root of a shrub native to Central Africa
Schedule I drugs also include drugs like heroin and ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Drug classifications are sectioned into five different ‘schedules,’ with one being the highest potential for abuse.
Ibogaine is unregulated in countries including Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
The drug has gained popularity in recent years and generated the attention of medical professionals.
Stanford Medicine released a study in 2024, concluding that ibogaine effectively treated military veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
The study found that when combined with magnesium to protect the heart, the drug safely and effectively reduced PTSD, anxiety and depression.
‘No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury,’ said Nolan Williams, an associate professor of behavioral sciences and psychiatry.
‘The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further.’
Trump’s looming executive order could pave the way for future studies to explore ibogaine’s effectiveness.
The potential move would be a win for advocacy groups who have lobbied for years to achieve alternative pathways to mental health therapy.
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry helped launch the nonprofit, Americans for Ibogaine, last year to advance education, clinical research and responsible medical access to the drug.
Trump’s looming executive order could pave the way for future studies to explore ibogaine’s effectiveness
Ibogaine is unregulated in countries including Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada
Perry also served as the Energy Secretary under Trump’s first administration. He appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience last month with the nonprofit’s CEO, W. Bryan Hubbard, to advocate for ibogaine.
Amber Capone, the CEO and founder of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, told Reuters that the news of increased access to ibogaine marked a ‘huge sigh of relief.’
‘There’s no doubt whatsoever in our minds that it works,’ she said.
‘But we just can’t say, “Believe us.” The research has to corroborate what we know to be true, and it feels like we could finally, finally be making some impact.’
Trump has previously implemented legislation in support of loosening federal restrictions on drugs.
He signed an executive order in December, paving the way for medical applications of marijuana and CBD products.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.
