What does Trump's executive order on psychedelics do?
The Trump administration says psychedelics are a possible solution to the mental health crisis.
The Trump administration says psychedelics are a possible solution to the mental health crisis.
The Trump administration says psychedelics are a possible solution to the mental health crisis.
A new executive order aims to speed up reviews of certain psychedelic drugs, as the Trump administration argues that new tools are needed to address the mental health crisis.
"Today's order will ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead happier lives," President Donald Trump said during an Oval Office signing ceremony on Saturday.
Trump was joined by podcaster Joe Rogan and former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, whose memoir was the basis of the film "Lone Survivor," among other stakeholders.
Luttrell said the order could "save a lot of lives." Veterans like him have reported using psychedelics to overcome hard-to-treat conditions, from depression to PTSD and substance abuse.
"We owe it to our war fighters and veterans to turn over every stone to alleviate the emotional and mental health blowback from their deployments," said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
There are still significant barriers to access. Drugs like LSD, ibogaine, and psilocybin remain illegal. They are classified as Schedule I drugs at the federal level, signaling that they have a high potential for abuse with no currently accepted medical use.
With several products in the clinical trial pipeline, the president's order aims to expedite the rescheduling of any psychedelic drugs that win FDA approval in the future.
It also says that the federal government "shall facilitate and establish a pathway for eligible patients to access psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds," under the Right to Try Act. The law allows patients who have been diagnosed with life-threatening conditions and have tried all approved treatment options to access certain investigational drugs.
The order also aims to remove research hurdles and improve data-sharing across federal agencies, while authorizing an investment of at least $50 million to support state-level initiatives.
Texas recently enacted a law committing public funds to research ibogaine, which is made from the root of an African shrub. Researchers say it's shown promise in treating opioid use disorder, among other conditions, but experts say it also comes with risks, sometimes triggering potentially fatal heart problems.
