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“The president said the executive order would implement ‘historic reforms to dramatically accelerate access to new medical research and treatments based on psychedelic drugs.’”
Citing the alarming rate of suicide among veterans, Trump pointed to early research suggesting these therapies could be life-changing. “In many cases, these experimental treatments have shown life-changing potential for those suffering from severe mental illness and depression, including our cherished veterans,” he said.
A key component of the order focuses on removing bureaucratic barriers between federal agencies. By improving coordination between the FDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the administration aims to streamline data sharing and fast-track the rescheduling of psychedelic substances once they receive approval.
“And the nice part is we’re actually doing this early, but it has been going on. Research has been going on for quite some time. But, you know, usually with things like this, nothing ever happens, no matter how the research ends up, but we’re changing that. This order will clear away unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, improve data sharing among the FDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and facilitate fast rescheduling of any psychedelic drugs that become FDA approved,” Trump continued.
One substance drawing particular attention is ibogaine, a psychedelic compound that has shown striking early results in clinical settings. Trump referenced a 2024 study conducted by Stanford University involving special operations veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries.
“The president said ‘in 2024, a study from Stanford University, 30 special operation veterans with traumatic brain injuries underwent — it’s called ibogaine treatment — ibogaine, remember the name,’ noting that they ‘experienced an 80 to 90% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety within one month.’”
The federal government is now putting serious money behind that research. Trump revealed a new $50 million federal investment into ibogaine studies, matching similar funding commitments already made by leaders in Texas.
“In Texas, Republican leaders have already committed $50 million to the ibogaine research. And today, the federal government is making a $50 million research investment in its own. And so that was just approved just last night,” Trump announced.
The executive order also expands access under existing law, opening a pathway for certain patients to receive experimental psychedelic treatments through the Right to Try program.
“We’re also opening a pathway for ibogaine to be administered to desperately ill patients under the right to try law,” Trump said.
“Today’s order will ensure that people suffering from debilitating symptoms might finally have a chance to reclaim their lives and lead a happier life, just lead a happier life,” he added.
This latest action follows another major executive order signed just weeks earlier, one that tackles a completely different issue: election integrity. The directive, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” outlines a series of federal measures designed to tighten oversight and improve voter eligibility verification nationwide.
Under that order, the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration are tasked with compiling and sharing verified citizenship data with state election officials. The move is intended to assist states in confirming voter eligibility without altering existing registration laws.
Additionally, the Department of Justice has been directed to prioritize investigations into election-related violations, particularly those involving improper ballot distribution.
Meanwhile, the United States Postal Service is being instructed to overhaul how mail-in ballots are handled. Proposed changes include standardized ballot envelopes with tracking barcodes and stricter verification systems, signaling a significant expansion of federal involvement in election logistics.
Together, these back-to-back executive actions highlight a broader strategy from the Trump administration: aggressively push reforms across both public health and election systems, while positioning the federal government as a central driver of change.
Whether these moves deliver on their promises remains to be seen, but one thing is clear. The administration is moving fast, and it is aiming big.
