Trump Signs Order to Fast-Track Psychedelic Drug Approvals

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office on Saturday to accelerate federal review and approval processes for psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, as potential treatments for addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Podcaster Joe Rogan, a vocal advocate for such therapies, attended the event and described a pivotal text message exchange that prompted the action.

Rogan recounted sending Trump research on ibogaine, a psychoactive compound derived from a West African shrub traditionally used in religious ceremonies. The substance has shown promise in studies for treating opioid addiction, with data indicating that more than 80 percent of patients achieve freedom from addiction after one dose and over 90 percent after two. Trump responded promptly, according to Rogan: "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it." Rogan emphasized the speed of the reply during the signing ceremony, adding that the drugs' federal prohibition stemmed from the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, which classified them as Schedule I substances alongside heroin and LSD.

The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate at least $50...