***WARNING: The following article contains discussions about death by suicide. Viewer discretion is advised.***
WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order directing federal regulators to accelerate the review of certain psychedelic drugs so it can be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans and traumatic brain injuries.
“I’m pleased to announce historic reforms to dramatically accelerate access to new medical research and treatments based on psychedelic drugs,” Trump said during a news conference from the Oval Office.”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 added. “Our veterans are having a tremendous hard time, you know, the suicide rate, we have it down a little bit, but they are having a hard time.”
Trump cited a 2024 study from Stanford University, noting that 30 special operations veterans with traumatic brain injuries underwent “Ibogaine treatment.” He said they experienced an 80% to 90% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety within one month.
“Can I have some, please? I’ll take some,” Trump said. “I’ll take whatever it takes.”
The executive order instructs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prioritize and fast-track applications for treatments that have shown early promise for PTSD, as well as conditions such as depression and other mental health disorders.
The FDA’s “breakthrough therapy” designation is reserved for drugs that demonstrate substantial improvement over existing treatments in preliminary studies. Trump’s order aims to shorten the timeline for those therapies to reach patients.
Supporters said the move could expand access to potentially life-changing treatments for veterans and others struggling with mental health issues. Psychedelic compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin have been studied in recent years for their therapeutic potential under controlled conditions.
Critics, however, cautioned that accelerating the approval process could raise concerns about safety and oversight, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials before widespread use.