President Trump signed an executive order to expedite FDA review of psychedelic drugs for treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The order directs $50 million in federal funds to research and directs the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track review of drugs including psilocybin and ibogaine.
During the signing in the Oval Office, Trump joked “Can I have some, please?” while referencing promising clinical studies. He was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, and podcast host Joe Rogan. Rogan stated he had texted Trump about ibogaine, and the president responded, “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.” Luttrell told Trump, “You’re going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better.”
Next week, the FDA will issue national priority vouchers to three psychedelics, allowing rapid review potentially in weeks rather than years. Trump highlighted the mental health crisis, noting that “today, over 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness” and “about 8 million are on prescription medication for these conditions.” A 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a single dose of LSD could ease anxiety and depression for months. At least 21 million American adults have reported at least one major depressive episode, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Psilocybin and ibogaine remain Schedule I drugs, classified as having no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://knpr.org/npr/2026-04-18/trump-signs-order-fast-tracking-review-of-psychedelics-for-mental-health-disorders