President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday, July 13, 2026 [1], directing federal agencies to speed reviews of ibogaine and other psychedelics.
This move signals a shift in federal drug policy to address the opioid crisis and substance-use disorders. By accelerating research into psychedelic therapy, the administration aims to provide new options for veterans struggling with depression, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.
Following the executive order, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services signed an agreement on July 14, 2026 [2], to coordinate psychedelic trials for veterans. The partnership between these two federal agencies [2] is intended to streamline the regulatory path for treatments that have previously been restricted.
Ibogaine is a psychedelic substance that some proponents claim can erase addiction after a single dose [3]. While the drug is not currently approved for medical use in the U.S., some veterans have traveled to clinics in Mexico to seek treatment.
"I crossed the border to Mexico because there’s no approved treatment for my PTSD here in the U.S.," Nicholas Curtis said.
Dr. Lisa Hernandez, a VA spokesperson, said the administration is committed to accelerating psychedelic research for veterans and that ibogaine is a key part of that effort.
Martha Kelner said the Trump administration is fast-tracking ibogaine because it could be a game-changer in the fight against addiction.
The focus on ibogaine comes as the administration seeks alternatives to traditional addiction treatments, many of which have struggled to curb the rising tide of opioid-related deaths.
“The Trump administration is fast-tracking ibogaine because it could be a game-changer in the fight against addiction.”
The federal government's pivot toward ibogaine represents a departure from traditional pharmacological approaches to addiction. By coordinating the VA and HHS, the administration is attempting to bypass typical regulatory bottlenecks to address a public health emergency. However, the push for fast-tracking occurs while long-term safety data for ibogaine remains limited, placing the burden of risk on early trial participants and veterans.
