Trump announces reforms to accelerate access to psychedelic drug treatments | Donald Trump

Donald Trump on Saturday announced reforms aimed at accelerating access to medical research and treatment based on psychedelic drugs.

The president signed an executive order directing the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to step up review of drugs like ibogaine, which U.S. military veterans’ groups say may help treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

At an event in the Oval Office, US federal officials said the reforms would pave the way for drugs that can cause hallucinations, which are largely illegal, to be reclassified after successful clinical trials. Trump also said the United States would allocate $50 million for federal research on ibogaine.

“Can I have some please?” Trump joked at the event. Provoking laughter, the president added: “I’ll do whatever it takes. I don’t have time to be depressed.”

New York Times reported We think Trump’s order will immediately benefit Texas, which has already devoted $50 million to work on ibogaine, made from a Central African shrub root.

The researchers also said ibogaine showed potential to treat opioid and other substance abuse problems.

“If these are as good as people say they are, it’s going to have a tremendous impact on this country and other countries as well,” Trump said Saturday.

On Saturday, Trump was accompanied by US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and podcaster Joe Rogan. Before joining the Trump administration, Kennedy had criticized the FDA for what he called “aggressive suppression of psychedelics.” And Rogan, who generally supports Trump, has been a vocal advocate for responsible psychedelic use and legalization.