Trump signs order to expand U.S. research into ibogaine for PTSD

President Trump signed an executive order easing federal restrictions on the psychedelic ibogaine and announced a $50 million federal research investment, while the FDA said it will begin steps to allow human trials and add psychedelics to a priority review pilot.

President Trump signed an executive order intended to ease federal restrictions on the psychedelic ibogaine and to support more U.S. research into the compound. He announced a $50 million federal research investment and referenced use cases including treatment for veterans with PTSD. Health officials at the event included HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency will add three psychedelics to a National Priority Voucher pilot and begin the process to permit human trials of ibogaine. Key details: - The executive order directs federal attention and funding toward research on ibogaine, a naturally occurring compound found in an African shrub. - The administration said it would open a pathway for ibogaine to be administered to some patients under the FDA's Right To Try rule. - FDA commissioner Marty Makary announced that three psychedelics will be added to a National Priority Voucher pilot to speed review and that the FDA will start steps for human trials of ibogaine. - Scientific evidence for ibogaine so far is limited, consisting mostly of small observational studies, open-label trials, and one double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. - Ibogaine is currently listed as a Schedule I substance by the DEA, and studies report serious safety concerns, including heart rhythm disturbances; at least 27 deaths have been reported after taking ibogaine. Summary: The order marks a federal effort to accelerate clinical research on ibogaine through funding and regulatory pathways, and the FDA has said it will begin preparatory work for human studies and faster review. How the federal government will implement research programs and safety oversight is still being worked out. Undetermined at this time.