By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• Policy shift: White House plans order to expand psychedelic research and ease federal barriers
• Funding push: $50 million earmarked for ibogaine studies, with Texas positioned to benefit
• Regulatory signal: FDA, DEA and DOJ expected to streamline pathways for investigational use

Update: President Trump has signed an executive order to increase access to certain psychedelic drugs for treating mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. He directed $50 million in federal funds to improve access and ordered the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track a review of such drugs as psilocybin and ibogaine.

“Can I have some, please?” Trump joked to a laughing audience in the Oval Office.

The Trump administration is preparing a significant policy shift to accelerate research into psychedelic compounds—an area gaining traction as a potential tool for addressing addiction and mental health disorders.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would increase federal support for research and reduce long-standing regulatory barriers for substances such as LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), and psilocybin.

The order could be signed as early as this weekend. The proposal also includes $50 million in funding for state-level research on ibogaine, a powerful psychoactive compound derived from a Central African shrub that has attracted growing interest for its potential to treat opioid use disorder and other forms of addiction.

Texas is expected to be an early beneficiary. The state has already committed $50 million in its own funding to ibogaine research, positioning it as a key testing ground as federal support expands.

The move comes as policymakers face mounting pressure to address persistent public health challenges, including opioid-related deaths and rising rates of mental health disorders.

Most psychedelic compounds remain illegal at the federal level and are classified as Schedule I substances, a designation that significantly limits research by imposing strict controls on access, storage and clinical testing.

Despite those restrictions, a growing body of scientific research suggests that these compounds may be effective for treating severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders—particularly when traditional therapies have failed.

The executive order is expected to direct agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Justice, to streamline approval processes and reduce administrative hurdles that have slowed research progress.

It would also expand access pathways. Under the plan, terminally ill patients could access investigational psychedelic therapies that have completed early-stage clinical trials but have not yet received full FDA approval—an approach aligned with broader “right-to-try” frameworks.

Administration officials characterized the initiative as both urgent and targeted. “We don’t want idle time or delays to slow down any potential decision,” a senior official said, pointing to the need for faster regulatory action. “The F.D.A. is going to make these decisions expeditiously, but without cutting any corners on safety.”

The push reflects a growing convergence of public health priorities and emerging scientific evidence. In recent years, federal agencies—including the FDA—have granted “breakthrough therapy” designations to certain psychedelic-assisted treatments, particularly for PTSD and depression, signaling recognition of their clinical potential.

Still, the regulatory environment remains complex. Any effort to expand access or accelerate approvals will require coordination among multiple agencies and may involve changes to how these substances are classified under federal law.