President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to accelerate the review of psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, with prominent support from podcaster Joe Rogan and advocacy for increased research into their potential treatments.
The United States President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at expediting the review process for a select number of psychedelic drugs, notably including the controversial ibogaine. This move was accompanied by a significant moment when podcaster Joe Rogan, a leading advocate for ibogaine, was present at the Oval Office event. Rogan has long championed ibogaine, a substance derived from a West African plant, and it has gained traction among veteran support groups as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. During the event, Rogan shared his prior communication with Trump regarding ibogaine, revealing that he had texted the president information about the drug, prompting a quick response from Trump: “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.” This demonstrated a surprising level of engagement from the president on the issue. For years, advocacy groups have been urging for expanded research into the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics, particularly in treating depression. Trump’s order reflects this push, stating that it will "ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life." He acknowledged the potential impact, stating, “If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, it’s going to have a tremendous impact.” In a lighthearted moment, Trump jokingly suggested he would personally try ibogaine, but quickly steered the conversation back to his usual strategy of staying busy. The move has garnered bipartisan support for researching psychedelics, despite their continued classification as illegal substances under federal law. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. has previously pledged to facilitate easier access to psychedelics for medical use, aligning with Trump’s agenda. The executive order will provide at least $50 million to states that have implemented or are developing programmes focused on psychedelic drugs for serious mental illnesses. Furthermore, the FDA is expected to loosen restrictions this week, issuing "national priority" vouchers for three psychedelics, potentially expediting their approval if deemed a national priority. The FDA is also initiating the first-ever human trials of ibogaine in the US, overcoming previous concerns about potential heart-related adverse effects. Historically, ibogaine was utilized by members of the Bwiti religion in African nations like Gabon during religious ceremonies. Rogan’s endorsement has been seen as a boost for Trump, particularly as he prepares for the 2024 presidential election. DATA: The order calls on the federal government to relax restrictions on psychedelics, including ibogaine, for potential treatments.
Sources: Based on reporting from Al Jazeera
✨ This report was generated by AI News Assistant.
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