Trump Signs Executive Order to Fast-Track Psychedelic Treatments for Mental Illness
President Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, directing $50 million toward psychedelic drug research for serious mental illnesses, including depression and substance abuse. The order also instructs the FDA to fast-track review of drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine, and opens a pathway for patients to access them under the Right to Try Act.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, directing federal agencies to accelerate the development and approval of psychedelic drugs for serious mental illnesses.
The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, to allocate at least $50 million from existing funds. The money will support state governments developing programs to advance psychedelic drugs for conditions like major depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder.
The FDA Commissioner is directed to provide National Priority Vouchers to psychedelic drugs that have received a Breakthrough Therapy designation, potentially reducing approval timelines to weeks. The FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration are also instructed to establish a pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, under the Right to Try Act.
The White House said over 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness, with about 8 million on prescription medication. Suicide rates, which had declined in previous years, rebounded to their peak in 2022. Veterans are particularly affected, with more than 6,000 suicides annually and a rate more than double that of the non-veteran adult population.
Psilocybin and ibogaine are currently classified as Schedule I drugs, meaning they have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The order directs the Attorney General to initiate rescheduling reviews for any Schedule I substance that has successfully completed Phase 3 clinical trials for a serious mental health disorder.
GH Research issued a statement on April 20, 2026, expressing support for the order and its goal to streamline research and reduce barriers to innovation in mental health.
The order builds on previous legislation, including the Right to Try Act and the HALT Fentanyl Act, which reformed research activities on controlled substances.
