Trump to Open Doors to Psychedelic Research in Bold Policy Shift
The president will direct federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to psychedelic substances, including psilocybin and ibogaine, as part of a sweeping push to explore alternative mental health treatments.
The order will instruct agencies to accelerate research into the therapeutic potential of these compounds and provide greater support for clinical trials, marking one of the most significant shifts in federal drug policy in decades.
The move has been strongly championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial health secretary who has long advocated for investigating unconventional medical treatments. Kennedy has publicly praised psychedelics as promising tools for addressing the nation's mental health and addiction crises.
Psilocybin, the active compound found in so-called magic mushrooms, and ibogaine, a psychoactive substance derived from the iboga plant, have shown early promise in clinical settings for treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and opioid addiction.
Despite growing scientific interest, both substances remain classified as Schedule I drugs under federal law, meaning they are officially designated as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Trump's directive could significantly alter how federal regulators and researchers interact with these substances going forward.
Advocates for psychedelic-assisted therapy have welcomed the announcement, calling it a long-overdue acknowledgment of a growing body of evidence supporting the drugs' medical potential. Veterans' groups in particular have pressed for expanded access, citing promising results in treating combat-related PTSD.
Critics, however, have urged caution, warning that political pressure should not outpace the rigorous scientific vetting required before any substance is recommended as a mainstream treatment. The long-term effects and safety profiles of these compounds are still being studied.
The executive order is expected to set off a significant restructuring of how federal health and research agencies approach psychedelic medicine, with ripple effects likely to be felt across academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and mental health policy for years to come.