Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to accelerate research and improve access to psychedelic drugs as potential treatments for serious mental illnesses, particularly benefiting veterans who face high suicide rates and may not respond to conventional therapies. This initiative prioritizes breakthroughs that could provide hope to millions of Americans, especially military veterans.
Supporters from veterans’ organizations, medical professionals, patient advocates, and industry leaders welcomed the action. W. Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine, noted this movement began with a small group advocating for ibogaine integration into the US healthcare system and has now prompted federal government involvement, signaling a shift in federal policy on psychedelic medicine. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry emphasized that veterans should no longer have to leave the country to access these treatments.
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley stressed that any introduced treatments must be grounded in sound science, proven safe, and accessible through the Department of Veterans Affairs when appropriate. Jon Kostas, Executive Director of the Association for Prescription Psychedelics, thanked key officials for advancing psychedelic medicine access and highlighted the urgency in addressing the mental health crisis with regulated, science-based innovations progressing through clinical trials.
The Executive Order calls for use of the FDA’s science-based approval pathway to deliver breakthrough-designated psychedelic therapies, affirming the critical unmet medical need for these treatments, especially among veterans.