Trump to Sign Executive Order on Ibogaine Research for PTSD Treatment President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order as soon as this week that would signal the administration’s willingness to explore the therapeutic benefits and safety of the psychedelic substance ibogaine for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, particularly among veterans. The executive order does not plan to reclassify ibogaine from its current status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which places it alongside substances like heroin and ecstasy as having no currently accepted medical employ and a high potential for abuse. Instead, the action is intended to open the door to federal funding for further research on ibogaine’s effectiveness. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring compound derived from the root bark of the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. It has been used in some countries to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and brain trauma. Because it remains illegal in the United States, Americans seeking the treatment have traveled to unregulated clinics, often in Mexico or the Caribbean. Sources indicate the Trump administration views the research into ibogaine as being in an early phase but wants to help determine whether it constitutes legitimate medical treatment or “snake oil.” The move follows similar actions by state governments, including Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allocating $50 million for ibogaine research. The executive order aligns with broader administration efforts to reconsider federal restrictions on certain psychedelic compounds. Trump previously issued an executive order directing the Department of Justice to expedite the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, although that process has not yet been completed. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has stated that his agency is “absolutely committed” to expanding psychedelic research, supporting the administration’s interest in evaluating ibogaine’s potential medical applications. While the executive order represents a step toward increased research access, it does not authorize the legal use of ibogaine outside of approved clinical studies. Any potential medical use would require further research and eventual approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
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