President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track research and approval of psychedelic therapies – specifically including ibogaine and psilocybin – for treating PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and addiction.
The signing drew a who’s-who crowd to the Oval Office, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, podcast host Joe Rogan, Americans for Ibogaine CEO W. Bryan Hubbard, and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell alongside his brother, Congressman Morgan Luttrell.
Trump didn’t miss the moment for a quick quip. As he held up the signed order, he turned to the crowd and joked, “Can I have some, please?”
Both ibogaine and psilocybin (the psychoactive compound found in cubensis mushrooms) remain classified as Schedule I substances in America, meaning the federal government currently treats them as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Possessing a Schedule I or II controlled substance with the intent to sell or distribute is a felony. If convicted, you can face 5 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Saturday’s order now aims to change that stigma connected to ibogaine and psilocybin.
Trump directed the FDA to expedite their review of psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs, and said the order will clear out “unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.” Trump added, “If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, they’re going to have a tremendous impact on this country and other countries, too.”
The new executive order directs the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration to establish a pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, under the Right to Try Act. It also allocates $50 million for federal-state collaboration on research.
Texas has a particular stake in this chapter of psychedelic history. In 2025, the state launched a research consortium to accelerate ibogaine clinical trials and drug development, as previously reported by The Dallas Express – a model that advocates hope other states will now follow.
The Lone Star State has recently moved forward with its pioneering ibogaine research program, awarding $50 million in state funding to a leading team led by UTHealth Houston and UTMB Health.
“This landmark clinical trial reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing research that improves lives and delivers the highest standards of care,” said Melina Kibbe, MD, UTHealth Houston president. “By joining forces with outstanding partners across our state, we are building on Texas’ tradition of innovation to ensure patients struggling with addiction and behavioral health conditions have access to the best possible outcomes. “
Veterans organizations have been some of the loudest voices pushing for this kind of federal action. Logan Davidson, Legislative Director of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), called the signing a potential turning point.
“Ibogaine may represent one of the most important breakthroughs in treating traumatic brain injury and severe trauma that we’ve seen in decades,” Davidson told The Dallas Express. “Across the country, policymakers are recognizing that the status quo in mental health treatment is not working for many veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and addiction. The responsible path forward is exactly what states like Texas are pursuing — rigorous clinical research, careful regulatory oversight, and a commitment to follow the science. If these results continue to hold, ibogaine could represent one of the most significant breakthroughs in brain injury and trauma treatment in decades.”
Dr. John Clifton, VETS Director of Research, spoke to The Dallas Express about the unique value the psychedelic medication holds.
“Ibogaine is one of the most unique and intriguing compounds in the psychedelic healing landscape. The stories of veterans and others overcoming severe, treatment-refractory health conditions with the support of ibogaine treatments are astonishing. Ibogaine treatment processes appear to engage addiction, trauma, and neurological recovery through multiple biological, emotional, and spiritual pathways,” Clifton said.
“Biologically, there is compelling evidence around its engagement with neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganize neurons), probably through neuronal growth factors like BDNF and GDNF. This appears to happen in a highly intelligent manner, where ibogaine experiences support the repair of neural circuits involved in addiction, mood, and cognitive dysfunction. Studies involving U.S. Special Operations veterans have been showing striking improvements in symptoms related to TBI, PTSD, depression, and anxiety when ibogaine is administered in the appropriate context. At the same time, ibogaine is a medically complex compound compared to most other psychedelics. It carries some physiological risk of organ damage and even death that necessitates careful screening and monitoring, which is why meticulous protocols with highly trained and dedicated professionals are so important,” he added.