President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday, April 18, 2026 [1], directing federal agencies to accelerate the review of certain psychedelic drugs [2].

The order aims to expand medical treatment options for mental health conditions, specifically targeting veterans struggling with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [2].

Trump signed the order in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. [1]. He was joined by podcaster Joe Rogan, who has frequently discussed the therapeutic potential of these substances on his platform [1]. The directive instructs federal agencies to relax existing restrictions to facilitate the development of psychedelic therapies [2].

Under the new guidelines, agencies must complete their reviews of these substances within 90 days [3]. The scope of the order includes the review of drugs such as ibogaine, which has been studied for its potential to treat addiction [1].

"We are committed to helping veterans with mental-health conditions by accelerating access to promising treatments," Trump said [3].

Rogan said the event was a historic moment for psychedelic research [4]. During the signing, Rogan said, "I'd like some ibogaine" [5].

The administration's move signals a shift in federal policy toward substances that have historically been strictly controlled. By shortening the review window, the government intends to move these treatments from research settings to clinical availability more rapidly [2].

“"We are committed to helping veterans with mental-health conditions by accelerating access to promising treatments."”

This executive order represents a significant pivot in U.S. drug policy by utilizing executive authority to bypass traditional, slower bureaucratic timelines for substance rescheduling. By specifically targeting veterans' health, the administration aligns the controversial use of psychedelics with a high-priority political constituency, potentially paving the way for broader decriminalization or medical legalization of other psychedelic compounds.