President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at making psychedelic treatments for mental illness more accessible, directing the Food and Drug Administration to expedite review of psychedelic drugs that have shown promise for conditions including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorder. The order directs $50 million in existing federal funding toward state programs looking to advance psychedelic treatments for mental illness.
Veteran Mental Health Focus
The order notes that veterans “often suffer in greater measure” than other demographic groups, with more than 6,000 veterans committing suicide each year. Brett Waters, executive director of Reason for Hope and policy counsel for the Veterans for Mental Health Leadership Coalition, called the order an “historic moment,” noting that for decades federal support for medical research on psychedelics has remained stagnant and most psychedelics are classified as Schedule I drugs.
Regulatory Changes and Caution
The order directs the DEA to begin its review process after Phase 3 clinical trials have been completed, rather than waiting for FDA approval as previously required. At least nine psychedelics have been designated as breakthrough therapies. Waters noted that while he welcomes the executive order, more should be done at the federal level, including the Freedom to Heal Act, which would enable specially trained physicians to use Schedule I investigational drugs that have completed Phase 1 safety trials to treat serious illnesses.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies urged caution, emphasizing that progress must remain “grounded in rigorous science, careful evaluation, and a commitment to patient safety.” However, Smart Approaches to Marijuana opposed the order, with spokesperson Sam Munson stating that data around ibogaine’s therapeutic effects is weak and warned the order will “endanger Americans across the country.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://themercury.com/news/national/advocacy-groups-respond-to-new-executive-order-on-psychedelics/article_c37e6b57-7233-57bb-b8b6-185965c3fa4d.html