Trump Administration's Psychedelics Initiative
President Trump has signed an executive order to accelerate research and review of psychedelic drugs for mental health disorders, reportedly influenced by a text from podcaster Joe Rogan. This initiative aims to fast-track therapies like psilocybin and ibogaine.
Latest Developments

What to Know About Trump’s New Executive Order on Psychedelic Drugs
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, aimed at accelerating the development of psychedelic drugs as medical treatments. The order directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give expedited consideration to psychedelics meeting certain criteria and allocates $50 million from the Department of Health and Human Services to match state research investments. This move signals the administration's unusual openness to considering federally banned substances like LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin as potential treatments for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. While it doesn't change FDA safety and efficacy evidence requirements, it could significantly impact the budding psychedelic industry by offering manufacturers accelerated review timelines of 1-2 months. Harvard Law School's Mason Marks notes this could encourage states to fund research and represents a shift from past federal drug policies.

Trump order could fast-track review of psychedelic ibogaine. What is it?
President Trump signed an executive order Saturday to expedite the review process for psychedelic drugs, specifically mentioning ibogaine. This action aims to accelerate the evaluation of these substances for potential medical applications. The order could significantly shorten the timeline for federal agencies to assess the safety and efficacy of psychedelics. This move indicates a growing interest within the Trump administration in exploring alternative treatments, particularly for conditions like addiction or mental health disorders.

Grassley undergoes procedure to remove gallstones
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) underwent surgery over the weekend to remove gallstones, as he announced Monday on social platform X. The 92-year-old nine-term incumbent stated he will return to Capitol Hill as soon as possible following the procedure in Iowa. Grassley currently serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His temporary absence could affect legislative proceedings, though he expects a swift return.

Kevin Warsh set to face lawmakers in Fed chair confirmation hearing
Kevin Warsh is scheduled to appear before lawmakers for his confirmation hearing as President Trump's nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is nominated to succeed Jerome Powell in the role, which oversees the nation's central bank. Senators are expected to question Warsh extensively on his perspectives regarding inflation and interest rates during the hearing. His confirmation would place him at the helm of monetary policy decisions for the United States.

Ramaswamy almost tied with Democrat Acton in Ohio governor race: Poll
A new poll conducted by Bowling Green State University (BGSU) shows GOP frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy and presumptive Democratic nominee Amy Acton are nearly tied in the Ohio gubernatorial race. The survey of 1,000 registered voters in Ohio found 48 percent support for Ramaswamy. This indicates a dead heat between the two candidates for the state's top executive office. The poll highlights a potentially competitive election in the Buckeye State.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research and approval of psychedelic-based therapies.
Source: ABC News
The order specifically endorses psilocybin and ibogaine for mental health disorders.
Source: NPR
The initiative was reportedly influenced by a text message from podcaster Joe Rogan to Trump about ibogaine.
Source: Fortune, Mother Jones
The action aims to fast-track the review process for psychedelics.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Recent Highlights
Trump announces reforms aimed at accelerating access to psychedelic drug treatments.
Reports emerge that Joe Rogan's text about ibogaine influenced Trump's decision to fast-track psychedelic review.
President Trump signs an executive order to accelerate research on certain psychedelic drugs for conditions like depression.
Full Coverage (19 articles)

What to Know About Trump’s New Executive Order on Psychedelic Drugs
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, aimed at accelerating the development of psychedelic drugs as medical treatments. The order directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give expedited consideration to psychedelics meeting certain criteria and allocates $50 million from the Department of Health and Human Services to match state research investments. This move signals the administration's unusual openness to considering federally banned substances like LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin as potential treatments for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. While it doesn't change FDA safety and efficacy evidence requirements, it could significantly impact the budding psychedelic industry by offering manufacturers accelerated review timelines of 1-2 months. Harvard Law School's Mason Marks notes this could encourage states to fund research and represents a shift from past federal drug policies.

Trump order could fast-track review of psychedelic ibogaine. What is it?
President Trump signed an executive order Saturday to expedite the review process for psychedelic drugs, specifically mentioning ibogaine. This action aims to accelerate the evaluation of these substances for potential medical applications. The order could significantly shorten the timeline for federal agencies to assess the safety and efficacy of psychedelics. This move indicates a growing interest within the Trump administration in exploring alternative treatments, particularly for conditions like addiction or mental health disorders.

Grassley undergoes procedure to remove gallstones
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) underwent surgery over the weekend to remove gallstones, as he announced Monday on social platform X. The 92-year-old nine-term incumbent stated he will return to Capitol Hill as soon as possible following the procedure in Iowa. Grassley currently serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His temporary absence could affect legislative proceedings, though he expects a swift return.

Kevin Warsh set to face lawmakers in Fed chair confirmation hearing
Kevin Warsh is scheduled to appear before lawmakers for his confirmation hearing as President Trump's nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is nominated to succeed Jerome Powell in the role, which oversees the nation's central bank. Senators are expected to question Warsh extensively on his perspectives regarding inflation and interest rates during the hearing. His confirmation would place him at the helm of monetary policy decisions for the United States.

Ramaswamy almost tied with Democrat Acton in Ohio governor race: Poll
A new poll conducted by Bowling Green State University (BGSU) shows GOP frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy and presumptive Democratic nominee Amy Acton are nearly tied in the Ohio gubernatorial race. The survey of 1,000 registered voters in Ohio found 48 percent support for Ramaswamy. This indicates a dead heat between the two candidates for the state's top executive office. The poll highlights a potentially competitive election in the Buckeye State.

Trump sees approval dip the most among young voters in poll
President Trump's approval rating has declined most significantly among young adults, according to a new NBC News poll. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, powered by Survey Monkey and released Sunday, indicates that 76 percent of Americans under 30 disapprove of the president’s job performance. This demographic shift suggests a potential challenge for the Trump administration in securing support from younger voters. The poll also noted that 24 percent of voters in this age group approve of the president's performance.

President Trump’s Landmark Order Advances Breakthrough Mental Health Treatments — Delivering New Hope to Veterans - The White House (.gov)
President Trump signed a landmark order to advance breakthrough mental health treatments, specifically aimed at delivering new hope to veterans. This initiative focuses on accelerating access to innovative therapies for those suffering from mental health challenges. The order signifies a White House commitment to improving mental healthcare for service members and veterans, addressing a critical need within this population. It aims to streamline processes for developing and deploying cutting-edge treatments.

The Federal Move That Sent Psychedelics Stocks Flying - Investor's Business Daily
A federal move caused a significant surge in the stock prices of companies in the psychedelics sector. This action by the U.S. government directly impacted investor confidence and market valuation for businesses focused on psychedelic compounds. The immediate consequence was a notable increase in the value of psychedelics stocks, as reported by Investor's Business Daily. This suggests a perceived shift in regulatory or policy outlook that investors believe will benefit the industry.

Psychedelic drug makers rally as Trump orders FDA to expedite reviews - Yahoo Finance
President Trump has ordered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite reviews of psychedelic drugs, leading to a rally among psychedelic drug makers. This directive signals a significant shift in federal policy regarding these substances, potentially accelerating their path to market for therapeutic uses. The move could open new avenues for mental health treatments, as companies developing psychedelics for conditions like PTSD and depression stand to benefit from faster regulatory approval. This action by the Trump administration reflects a growing interest in the potential medical applications of psychedelics.

Trump speeds review of psychedelics after Joe Rogan texted him about ibogaine. 'Let's do it' - Fortune
President Trump is accelerating the review process for psychedelics after receiving a text message from Joe Rogan regarding ibogaine. This action follows Rogan's direct communication with the President, suggesting the potential benefits of the substance. The White House is now fast-tracking evaluations of these compounds, which could lead to expanded research or therapeutic access. This development highlights a direct influence on federal policy stemming from a personal communication between the President and a prominent media personality. The decision signals a potential shift in the administration's approach to psychedelic substances.

Trump announces reforms to accelerate access to psychedelic drug treatments - The Guardian
President Donald Trump announced reforms aimed at accelerating access to psychedelic drug treatments, as reported by The Guardian. This initiative focuses on streamlining regulatory processes to make these therapies more readily available to patients. The move signals a shift in the Trump administration's approach to mental health and substance abuse treatment, potentially broadening the scope of approved medical interventions. This could lead to increased research and development in psychedelic medicine, offering new options for conditions like PTSD and depression.

Podcasters, Presidents, and Psychedelics: How Joe Rogan Got Trump Into Ibogaine
President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to accelerate research on certain psychedelic drugs for conditions like depression. Podcaster Joe Rogan stood with him and was cited by Trump as a major inspiration for fast-tracking ibogaine, which Rogan has championed for years. The order aims to ease access to ibogaine, used outside the U.S. for post-traumatic stress disorder. Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel has invested heavily in psychedelic pharmaceutical companies like Compass Pathways and AtaiBeckley, whose stocks spiked on news of Trump's likely approval. The state of Texas also announced $50 million for ibogaine clinical trials in late March.

Trump signs executive order accelerating research into psychedelic drug therapies
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday to accelerate research and approval of psychedelic-based therapies. This order specifically targets conditions like PTSD, aiming to streamline the development of these treatments. The move signals the Trump administration's intent to explore alternative medical approaches for mental health and trauma. This initiative could potentially broaden access to novel treatments for veterans and others suffering from these conditions.

Trump signs order fast tracking review of psychedelics for mental health disorders - NPR
President Donald Trump signed an order to fast-track the review of psychedelics for mental health disorders, as reported by NPR. This executive action aims to accelerate the process by which certain psychedelic substances, like psilocybin or MDMA, could be approved for therapeutic use. The move reflects a growing interest in exploring alternative treatments for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which have shown promising results in preliminary studies. By expediting the review, the Trump administration is signaling a shift in federal policy regarding these previously restricted substances. This could potentially lead to quicker access to new treatment options for millions of Americans suffering from mental health challenges.

Trump signs order fast tracking review of psychedelics for mental health disorders
President Donald Trump signed an order to fast-track the review of psychedelics for mental health disorders. The President endorsed psilocybin and ibogaine as part of this initiative. This action aims to accelerate the evaluation process for these substances. The order reflects a White House focus on potential alternative treatments for mental health.

Trump joined by Joe Rogan as he signs order to speed up psychedelic review
President Trump, joined by Joe Rogan, signed an order aimed at accelerating the federal review process for psychedelics. The executive order specifically directs the federal government to relax restrictions on psychedelics, including ibogaine, for their potential use as treatments. This action signals a significant shift in federal policy regarding these substances, potentially easing their path toward medical applications. The move could facilitate research and development into psychedelic-assisted therapies for various conditions.

Watch: Trump signs executive order easing U.S. restrictions on psychedelic research
President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to ease restrictions on research into psychedelics. This order specifically mentions the drug ibogaine, which is used in some countries to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The move signals a potential shift in the federal government's approach to studying these substances for therapeutic applications. This action could facilitate new scientific investigations into psychedelics as treatments for various conditions.

Trump signs order to hasten review of psychedelics - PBS
President Trump signed an order to hasten the review of psychedelics, as reported by PBS. This executive action aims to accelerate the process by which these substances are evaluated for potential medical applications. The move signifies a growing interest within the Trump administration in exploring alternative treatments for various conditions, potentially including mental health disorders. This could lead to a faster path for certain psychedelics to be approved for therapeutic use, impacting research and healthcare practices.

Trump signs order to hasten review of psychedelics
President Trump signed an order to expedite the review process for psychedelics, aiming to accelerate research into their potential medical applications. This action comes despite psychedelics like Ibogaine remaining in the federal government's most restrictive category for illegal, high-risk drugs. The Trump administration is seeking to ease current restrictions to spur studies on using these substances for conditions such as severe depression. This initiative could lead to significant changes in how psychedelics are researched and potentially utilized for therapeutic purposes in the United States.
