President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing increased federal research into psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, which has been studied as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The White House announced $50 million will be made available for terminally ill patients to use ibogaine under the federal “Right to Try” law. The drugs will remain classified as Schedule I substances, meaning they are generally illegal outside clinical settings.
Administration officials promoted the drugs as possible alternatives to antidepressants, saying existing treatments are not doing enough to improve mental health outcomes in the United States. “In many cases, these experimental treatments have shown life-changing potential for those suffering from severe mental illness and depression, including our cherished veterans,” Trump said. “Our veterans are having a tremendous hard time. You know, the suicide rate—we have it down a little bit—but they are having a hard time.”
A 2024 Stanford University study found ibogaine can be effective when taken with magnesium. The small study of 30 participants reported no serious side effects. Study author Nolan Williams stated: “No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury. The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further.” When asked by Scripps News if he would consider using the drugs himself, Trump said he probably wouldn’t.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://us.headtopics.com/news/trump-orders-50m-research-into-psychedelic-drugs-82383159