US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at accelerating the review process for a number of psychedelic drugs, including the controversial ibogaine. The signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Saturday featured podcaster Joe Rogan, who is considered one of the most influential podcasters in the country and a leading proponent of ibogaine, a substance derived from a plant native to West Africa. Rogan recounted how he had previously texted information about ibogaine to Trump, with the president purportedly responding quickly: “Sounds great. Do you want FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval? Let’s do it.”
Speaking at the event, Trump claimed that the order would ensure “people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life.” He added, “If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, it’s going to have a tremendous impact.” The president quipped that he would be open to taking psychedelics himself: “Can I have some, please? I’ll take some,” but then pivoted away, stating, “I don’t have time to be depressed. You know, if you stay busy enough, maybe that works, too. That’s what I do.”
Increased research into psychedelics has proven a rare issue with bipartisan support in the US, where ibogaine and other psychedelics remain banned under the federal government’s most restrictive category for illegal drugs. Trump’s executive order calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to direct at least $50 million to states that have enacted or are developing programmes to advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness. It comes ahead of several actions from the FDA to loosen restrictions, highlighting ongoing tensions in drug policy.
This week, the FDA will issue so-called “national priority” vouchers for three psychedelics, which the agency’s commissioner, Marty Makary, said will allow certain drugs to be approved quickly “if they are in line with our national priorities.” The FDA is also taking steps to clear the way for the first-ever human trials of ibogaine in the US, as previous research had been stalled by concerns over the drug potentially triggering fatal heart problems. Ibogaine was first used by members of the Bwiti religion in African nations like Gabon for religious ceremonies, raising questions about its cultural appropriation and safety.
Rogan’s endorsement helped boost Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election, though he has since publicly questioned the administration’s war with Iran, saying it runs counter to Trump’s campaign pledges. Also present at the ceremony was former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, whose memoir about his time in Afghanistan, Lone Survivor, was later made into a film. He praised ibogaine, stating, “It absolutely changed my life for the better,” yet such anecdotes contrast with the lack of comprehensive clinical data and regulatory hurdles that continue to plague psychedelic research in the US.
Source: www.aljazeera.com