WASHINGTON D.C April 19, 2026 – President Donald J. Trump took historic action yesterday by signing an Executive Order that removes regulatory barriers and fast-tracks access to psychedelic-based therapies for serious mental illnesses, with a strong focus on delivering hope to millions of Americans — especially U.S. military veterans suffering from treatment-resistant conditions.
According to the White House announcement and accompanying fact sheet, the order directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide “Commissioner’s National Priority Vouchers” to psychedelic drugs that have already received Breakthrough Therapy designations for treating serious mental illnesses. This measure ensures that bureaucratic delays do not hinder the FDA’s rigorous review process.
The Executive Order also instructs the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to create a clear pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic compounds — including ibogaine — that are currently under FDA review and meet basic safety standards, utilizing the landmark Right to Try Act signed during Trump’s first term.
Additional provisions include:
- Allocating $50 million through the Advanced Research Projects for Health (ARPA-H) program to match state government investments in psychedelic research for serious mental illness.
- Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and FDA to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and private sector to expand clinical trial participation and evidence generation for these experimental therapies.
- Directing the Attorney General to review products for rescheduling as soon as possible after successful Phase 3 clinical trials and FDA approval, where appropriate.
The White House stated: “Today, President Donald J. Trump took historic action to remove barriers on psychedelic treatments for serious mental illness — delivering new hope to millions of Americans, especially our veterans.”
The initiative addresses a pressing national crisis. Over 14 million American adults live with serious mental illness — a diagnosable disorder that severely interferes with daily life and functioning — with approximately 8 million already on prescription medications. Suicide rates, which declined for the first time since 2000 during Trump’s first administration, rebounded sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic and the previous administration, reaching peak levels in 2022.
Veterans are disproportionately affected: for more than 20 years, more than 6,000 veterans have died by suicide annually, with the veteran suicide rate more than twice that of the non-veteran adult population. Leading research institutions including Stanford University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University are studying psychedelic therapies, which have shown preliminary promise for conditions like PTSD, depression, and addiction that do not respond to conventional treatments. Texas launched a research consortium in 2025 to accelerate ibogaine trials.
This Executive Order builds on prior Trump administration achievements, including the Right to Try Act for terminally ill patients and a 2025 law reforming research on controlled substances, including Schedule I drugs like psychedelics.
The full fact sheet is available at the White House website: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump is Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness.
This move marks a significant policy shift aimed at prioritizing innovative, evidence-based solutions for America’s mental health challenges, particularly for those who have served the nation.
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