Trump administration will fund new research on controversial psychedelic drug ibogaine

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced new funding to investigate the medical potential of ibogaine, a controversial psychedelic drug supported by veterans, conservative lawmakers, and some media figures allied with President Donald Trump. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced up to $4.9 million would be allocated to prepare for the first U.S. studies of ibogaine aimed at treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a challenging condition associated with higher suicide and substance abuse rates among veterans.

The funds will not directly support patient research, but will be used to establish the necessary infrastructure for manufacturing, dosing, and planning studies of the drug. Ibogaine, derived from a West African shrub, can induce severe hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and potentially fatal irregular heart rhythms. The drug is currently illegal, placed in the same tightly controlled category as LSD, ecstasy, and other psychedelic substances.

Despite its restricted status, veterans' groups and proponents of psychedelics argue that ibogaine holds significant promise for treating intractable conditions like PTSD, severe depression, and opioid addiction. U.S. research on the drug has been halted for decades due to its restricted status. Kennedy stated that the government will receive data and treatment guidance from Beond Inc., a Texas-based company that has administered ibogaine therapy to over 3,000 patients in Mexico, where the drug is not illegal.

This collaboration aims to expedite the clinical trial process and potentially result in a record drug approval timeframe. Additional funding may also explore ibogaine's use for addiction treatment. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, who joined Kennedy for the announcement, emphasized that the collaborative effort will prioritize safety and the highest scientific standards.

For veterans dealing with PTSD, he said, they deserve both prompt action and the best possible research. This announcement follows a preview in April when Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate the review and research of psychedelics that could aid in treating mental health conditions. Currently, three applications for psychedelics are pending review at the Food and Drug Administration, including the first potential medicines derived from psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, and MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

Decisions on these drugs may be made within weeks or months. Due to the drug's safety risks, ibogaine research has progressed more slowly. Most existing data comes from patients who have traveled to countries with less stringent regulations to receive ibogaine treatment. Clinics typically charge between $10,000 and $20,000 for a course of treatment, often involving monitoring of patients' heart readings while emergency medical personnel are on standby.

Trump's directive on psychedelics was prompted by a text exchange with podcaster Joe Rogan, who has frequently discussed ibogaine on his show. According to Rogan, the president responded positively: "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it." Ibogaine research remains limited by a lack of substantial evidence of its benefits and the significant safety risks it poses, including potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances.