Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Psychedelic Treatments for Veterans

President Trump signed an executive order on April 20, 2026, directing federal agencies to speed up research and expand patient access to psychedelic drugs for serious mental illnesses, with a focus on veterans.

The order directs the FDA Commissioner to provide National Priority Vouchers for psychedelic drugs that have received Breakthrough Therapy designation. The FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration will establish a pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, under the Right to Try Act.

The Department of Health and Human Services must allocate at least $50 million from existing funds through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to support state governments developing psychedelic medicine programs.

HHS and the FDA are directed to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector to increase clinical trial participation and data sharing. The Attorney General must also initiate reviews of Schedule I substances that have completed Phase 3 clinical trials for serious mental health disorders, enabling faster rescheduling upon FDA approval.

The order drew praise from veterans' organizations including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Special Operations Association of America. Industry leaders from Compass Pathways, Definium Therapeutics, and Helus Pharma also welcomed the action.

The context is stark. Over 14 million American adults suffer from a serious mental illness. About 8 million are on prescription medication. Suicide rates rose 37% from 2000 to 2018. Veterans face suicide rates more than twice that of the non-veteran adult population.

Psychedelic drugs being studied include synthetic psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and DT120 (lysergide tartrate) for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.