Trump Executive Order Directs Federal Support for Psychedelic Drug Research

Federal policy on psychedelic drug research shifted with an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump on April 18, 2026, directing agencies to create new pathways for investigational drugs such as ibogaine.

The order instructs the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration to establish procedures under the Right to Try Act, aiming to accelerate review of investigational psychedelic substances through National Priority Vouchers. The Department of Health and Human Services, through ARPA-H, has been directed to allocate at least $50 million from existing resources to assist state governments in advancing research in this area.

Ibogaine, a psychedelic compound, remains a Schedule I substance in the United States, which restricts both access and research. The Executive Order also instructs the Attorney General, in consultation with HHS, to begin review for rescheduling Schedule I substances that complete Phase 3 clinical trials for serious mental health conditions.

Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, has supported expanded federal attention and potential funding for ibogaine research. The group’s co-founders, Amber and Marcus Capone, attended the White House signing ceremony for the Executive Order.

What the numbers show

• VETS has supported about 1,300 veterans and spouses with psychedelic-assisted therapies since 2019
• VETS has helped secure over $124 million in public funding for psychedelic research, including more than $100 million for the Texas Ibogaine Initiative
• A Stanford study reported suicidal ideation among Special Operations veterans dropped from 47% to 7% after ibogaine treatment
• A March 2026 publication found an average reduction in predicted brain age of 1.3 years one month after ibogaine treatment

VETS has played a role in securing public funding for psychedelic research, including contributions to the passage of Texas House Bill 1802 in 2021, which provided the state’s first public funding for psilocybin research focused on veterans’ PTSD. The organization also contributed to the creation of the Douglas “Mike” Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act, establishing a federal grant program for active-duty service members.

State-level initiatives in California and Georgia have received support from VETS, and the group has launched the VALOR coalition, a national alliance of organizations focused on mental health policy reform for veterans. VETS-supported veterans are also featured in the documentary “In Waves and War,” which has received two Emmy Award nominations.

Industry reaction

VETS announced its support for the Executive Order, emphasizing the importance of expanded federal attention and potential funding for ibogaine research. The organization highlighted its advocacy efforts and participation in the White House signing ceremony.

According to VETS, the Executive Order aligns with ongoing efforts to advance research and access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans and other populations affected by serious mental health conditions.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.