Trump orders federal agencies to accelerate psychedelic drug research
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 3
Trump orders federal agencies to accelerate psychedelic drug research
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 3
At an April 18 Oval Office ceremony, he directed faster study of potential therapeutic uses for LSD, peyote and MDMA.
The move signals a softer federal approach to some illegal drugs under a law-and-order Republican president long associated with tougher drug policies.
It follows the Justice Department's loosening of medical marijuana restrictions last month, marking a sharp break from the Nixon-era conservative stance on psychedelics.
As psychedelic therapies are fast-tracked, how will regulators balance urgent patient demand with significant, known safety risks?
Will future psychedelic medicine eliminate the hallucinogenic 'trip' to deliver only therapeutic benefits?
Can sacred plants like peyote be medically sourced without threatening vulnerable species and indigenous cultural practices?
Breaking Barriers: How Federal Policy is Expediting Psychedelic Treatments for PTSD and Depression
Overview
In response to a national mental health crisis, especially among veterans with treatment-resistant conditions, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, to accelerate psychedelic drug research and treatment access. The order directed the FDA to fast-track reviews using priority vouchers, awarded shortly after to three promising therapies. It also established pathways under the Right to Try Act for patients to access investigational psychedelics, including ibogaine, while mandating $50 million in federal funding to support state treatment programs. Collaboration among federal agencies and the private sector aims to boost clinical trials and data sharing. Additionally, the Attorney General was tasked with expediting rescheduling reviews for approved psychedelics, paving the way for broader patient access and reduced regulatory barriers.