Trump signs order to speed psychedelic drug reviews, including ibogaine

President Donald Trump signed an order on April 18, 2026^[1] at White House directing U.S. agencies to speed reviews of psychedelic drugs such as ibogaine.

The move matters because it could fast‑track clinical trials for therapies that may help veterans suffering from post‑traumatic stress disorder, a condition that has long challenged the Department of Veterans Affairs. Advocates argue quicker access could save lives, while critics warn that hastening approval may overlook safety data.

Psychedelic research has surged in recent years, with substances like psilocybin and MDMA receiving FDA breakthrough therapy designations. Ibogaine, derived from an African shrub, has been studied for its potential to interrupt opioid dependence, but it carries risks of cardiac toxicity and has been linked to several deaths. The order does not waive existing safety reviews; it merely compresses timelines.

Veteran service organizations have welcomed the directive, and said it acknowledges the urgent need for alternative treatments. "Our members have endured years of ineffective medication and therapy," a spokesperson for the Veterans Advocacy Network said. The administration plans to task the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse with coordinating the accelerated review process.

Implementation will require inter‑agency collaboration, budget allocations, and new guidance for researchers seeking federal approval. The White House said the order will be accompanied by a task force to monitor progress and report back to Congress within a year. If successful, the policy could reshape how the U.S. approaches mental‑health innovation.

The order also signals a broader shift in federal drug policy, reflecting growing bipartisan interest in harnessing psychedelics for medical use while balancing public‑health safeguards.