WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to accelerate review and access to certain psychedelic drugs as potential treatments for serious mental illness, White House officials said.
The order, signed April 18, 2026, in the Oval Office, instructs the Food and Drug Administration to provide National Priority Vouchers to eligible psychedelic compounds that have received Breakthrough Therapy designation for treating conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also directs the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration to establish a pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelics, including ibogaine compounds, under the existing Right to Try Act once basic safety requirements are met.
Trump said during the signing ceremony that the measure would help address a crisis of serious mental illness. “Today's order will ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life,” he stated, according to multiple reports of the event.
The executive order further directs the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate $50 million to support state-level programs advancing research and access to such treatments. It emphasizes psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, that show potential in clinical studies for patients whose conditions persist after standard therapies.
Ibogaine and other psychedelics remain classified under the federal government's most restrictive schedule for controlled substances. The order does not reclassify the substances but aims to expedite FDA review processes and reduce certain regulatory barriers for research and limited patient access. Veterans' groups have advocated for ibogaine in treating PTSD, while some lawmakers have expressed support for expanded psychedelic therapies.
The signing was attended by figures including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan, according to reports. Details on the exact list of psychedelics covered or timelines for implementation remain unclear.
As of Monday, April 20, 2026, the White House had not released additional guidance on how agencies would carry out the directives. The FDA and DEA had no immediate public comment on next steps. Some members of Congress indicated they would pursue complementary legislation to further expand access to psychedelic-based therapies.
The executive order represents the latest federal action on emerging mental health treatments amid ongoing debates over the safety, efficacy and regulatory status of psychedelics. No changes to the legal status of recreational use were addressed in the order.
