President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 19, 2026, aimed at accelerating federal research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic drugs. The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prioritize the review of psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin, LSD, and ibogaine for the treatment of serious mental health conditions. The administration characterized the move as a decisive step toward addressing a national mental health crisis, specifically highlighting the high rates of suicide among U.S. military veterans.
A central component of the executive order is the allocation of $50 million in federal matching funds. These funds are designated for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to support state-led research initiatives. This provision is expected to immediately benefit states like Texas, which previously authorized $50 million for ibogaine research but faced challenges in securing private-sector partners. The order encourages federal-state collaboration to generate real-world evidence on the safety and efficacy of these substances in controlled clinical settings.
To facilitate faster development, the FDA is directed to issue national priority vouchers for three specific psychedelic drugs starting next week. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that these vouchers could compress the standard review timeline from several months to just a few weeks. Additionally, the order instructs the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice to begin formal rescheduling reviews for psychedelic therapies once they successfully complete Phase 3 clinical trials. While the substances currently remain under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the administration indicated that successful FDA approval would trigger an expedited reclassification process.
The executive order also expands the application of the Right to Try Act, a landmark piece of legislation from the first Trump administration. Under the new directive, eligible patients with life-threatening or treatment-resistant conditions will have a clearer pathway to access investigational psychedelic treatments that have cleared Phase 1 safety trials. This move addresses long-standing regulatory hurdles that had previously prevented the use of Schedule I substances under the Right to Try framework.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other health officials joined the president for the signing in the Oval Office. The administration cited data showing that more than 14 million Americans live with serious mental illness and that approximately 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year. Supporters of the order, including veteran advocates and medical professionals, stated that the directive removes legal impediments that have historically limited scientific study into medicines that show potential for rapid symptomatic improvement.