The U.S. federal ban on psychedelic drugs has ended!!!

Today (April 18, 2026), President Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating U.S. research into and access to psychedelics for medical use—particularly for: • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) • Severe depression • Addiction • Other treatment-resistant mental health conditions Key substances include: • Ibogaine (an alkaloid extracted from an African shrub, widely championed by veteran groups for treating PTSD and opioid addiction) • Other psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA (ecstasy) Specific measures: • Directing the FDA to expedite review of psychedelics that have already received ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ designation • Allocating $50 million in federal funding for ibogaine and related drug research • Leveraging the ‘Right to Try Act’ to provide eligible patients with access to experimental therapies • Reducing bureaucratic barriers and supporting clinical trials—especially for veterans Trump declared at the event something akin to “The federal ban on psychedelic medicine is over,” a phrase echoed by advocates. However, note: this does *not* constitute full repeal of federal prohibitions or legalization for recreational use. Rather, it primarily accelerates medical research, streamlines regulatory hurdles, and paves the way for potential therapeutic applications—not immediate over-the-counter availability. These substances remain largely classified as Schedule I controlled substances (high abuse potential, no accepted medical use). Why now? • Psychedelic research has long been constrained by strict regulations imposed during the ‘War on Drugs’ era (under Nixon). • Recent clinical trials have demonstrated significant efficacy—when administered alongside psychotherapy—for PTSD, depression, and addiction, especially among patients unresponsive to conventional treatments. • The high suicide rate among U.S. veterans has served as a major catalyst; many veterans have already traveled to Mexico and elsewhere to receive ibogaine therapy. • The Trump administration—including figures like RFK Jr.—views this as an innovative pathway to address the national mental health crisis. Many of these so-called ‘psychedelics’ contain DMT. Coincidentally, the human pineal gland also produces DMT—but in most people today, the pineal gland is heavily calcified. I personally experienced Ayahuasca—a brew used by South American tribes for parasite elimination and spiritual connection—multiple times. Its name cannot be directly translated; readers are encouraged to research it independently. I cannot adequately describe the specific effects—but I found a deleted scene from *Avatar 3*, which roughly captures my Ayahuasca experience: zhihu.com/video/2029165... Why was this scene cut? One can reasonably surmise: because the ‘Cabal’ (deep state) fears nothing more than humanity’s spiritual or conscious awakening—since the deep state relies on monetarily controllable slaves, not awakened individuals.

Trump—$50 million bet on psychedelics: A nationwide mental health revolution has begun

One U.S. veteran dies by suicide every 11 minutes—17 per day. This exact statistic appears verbatim in White House documents. On April 20, Trump signed an executive order announcing a $50 million federal investment to accelerate research and regulatory approval of ibogaine, psilocybin, and other psychedelics. This is not a corporate business decision—it marks the first time in U.S. history that ‘using psychedelics to treat mental illness’ has been formally enshrined in national strategy. Many people’s first reaction upon hearing this news is: ‘Are they insane?’ But after reviewing the underlying data, you may reach a different conclusion. The veteran toll can no longer be ignored. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2025 Annual Report states that in 2022, **6,407 veterans died by suicide—averaging approximately 17.6 per day**. This figure has shown no meaningful decline over the years—not due to lack of political will, but due to lack of effective interventions. Nationwide, CDC data indicate a suicide occurs roughly **every 11 minutes**. Though derived from different sources, presenting both figures together underscores the visceral urgency of the veterans’ crisis—it is not isolated. Existing antidepressants fail many patients—clinically termed ‘treatment-resistant depression’ (TRD). Globally, about 100 million people fall into this category. They’ve tried SSRIs, SNRIs, and psychotherapy—yet remain trapped. Psychedelics are different. In clinical trials, psilocybin—administered as a single dose paired with two psychotherapy sessions—has produced substantial, sustained improvement in a significant proportion of TRD patients, with effects lasting months. It doesn’t merely ‘make you feel better’—it alters patterns of neural connectivity. Its mechanism is fundamentally distinct from conventional pharmacotherapy. Where exactly will the $50 million go? The executive order specifies three priority tracks: Ibogaine—targeting PTSD and traumatic brain injury in veterans. Existing studies show it rapidly reduces addiction and trauma symptoms—but its side effects demand rigorous medical supervision. This initiative will establish standardized, federally supported treatment facilities within the U.S., eliminating the need for veterans to travel to Mexico or Brazil. Psilocybin (COMP360)—a synthetic formulation developed by Compass Pathways, currently undergoing FDA rolling submission. It is the most advanced psychedelic antidepressant candidate globally, with Phase III trials enrolling over 1,000 participants. DT120—a novel molecule developed by Definium Therapeutics targeting generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Still relatively new, with accumulating but early-stage data. Why now? Academic interest in psychedelics has surged over the past decade—but progress stalled at the regulatory level. While the FDA has opened fast-track review pathways, broader federal policy support—and crucially, institutional funding—had been lacking. As a result, veterans were left to navigate fragmented, self-funded options. Now, that changes.

Policy Watch: FDA moves toward clinical trials of the psychedelic ibogaine

2 days ago

The US FDA requested public input on designing clinical trials for ibogaine, a psychoactive drug potentially treating opioid addiction and PTSD. Comments are due by Nov. 20 regarding safety, dosing, and ethical considerations.

cen

2026-10-09

Policy Watch: FDA moves toward clinical trials of the psychedelic ibogaine

Policy Watch: FDA moves toward clinical trials of the psychedelic ibogaine

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