FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/20/26
President Trump's Landmark Order Advances Breakthrough Mental Health Treatments -- Delivering New Hope to Veterans------------------------------------------------------------
This weekend, President Donald J. Trump signed a groundbreaking Executive Order accelerating research and improving access to psychedelic drugs as promising treatments for serious mental illnesses. The order prioritizes breakthroughs that could offer new hope to millions of Americans -- particularly our nation's brave veterans, who continue to face disproportionately high rates of suicide and often don't respond to conventional therapies.
Veterans' organizations, medical professionals, patient advocates, and industry leaders welcomed the historic action:
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Americans for Ibogaine CEO W. Bryan Hubbard : "This began with a small group who refused to accept the status quo and fought to bring ibogaine into the United States healthcare system, growing into a national movement that could not be ignored. We have always believed this was the moonshot of our time. People from every corner of this country came together and demanded better. Today, that movement has compelled action at the highest levels of the federal government. The era of federal prohibition of psychedelic medicine in America is coming to an end."
Americans for Ibogaine Chairman and Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry : "This is a historic moment for our Veterans and for this country. I have seen firsthand the impact ibogaine can have on our warfighters. For too long, they have been forced to leave the United States to access care. That should never have been the case. Today is a major step toward correcting that."
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley : "Thanks to the advancements of research, there is hope that these psychedelic drugs will serve as a pathway to and promise of a brighter future for our veterans and their loved ones. We must ensure that any treatment brought forward is grounded in sound science, proven safe and accessible through the Department of Veterans Affairs when appropriate."
Association for Prescription Psychedelics Executive Director Jon Kostas : "THANK YOU to President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Oz, Commissioner Makary, and Secretary Collins for having the courage and sense of urgency to accelerate access to psychedelic medicines for those who need them most, particularly our veterans. Today's Executive Order validates the critical unmet medical need to address the mental health crisis in America and the urgency for new and regulated, science-based innovations. Psychedelics under development are undergoing rigorous scientific research and clinical trials, holding promise for treating multiple mental illnesses. The Order makes clear that the fastest and safest way to deliver psychedelic medicines to those who need them is through the FDA's science-based approval pathway, where breakthrough-designated therapies are progressing. As President Trump directed, it is now critical that the DOJ,
HHS, VA, and FDA work collaboratively on labeling and scheduling considerations so that timely regulatory review and market readiness upon approval are possible. With a suicide every 11 minutes and 17 of our veteran heroes taking their lives every day, there is no time to waste."
Disabled American Veterans National Commander Coleman Nee : "DAV applauds the president's executive order to accelerate research and expand access to innovative plant-based therapies for veterans living with the invisible wounds of war. For far too many veterans, conditions like post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury remain inadequately treated by conventional approaches, leaving them without timely or effective care. This action represents a meaningful step toward closing that gap. By prioritizing rigorous research, streamlining clinical trials and reducing unnecessary barriers--including the need for veterans to seek care outside the United States--the administration is advancing a more responsive and veteran-centered system of care."
Healing Advocacy Fund Executive Director Taylor West : "Today's executive order is a victory for the millions of Americans living with conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress that existing treatments have failed to address. Federal momentum on psychedelic medicine has been a long time coming, and we welcome the growing bipartisan recognition of its promise. We are deeply grateful for the decades of advocacy and research that have led up to today."
Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicines President Jon Dalton : "Today marks a turning point for the millions of Americans, and especially our veterans, who have been failed by the existing mental health treatment paradigm. This executive order validates what the research community, veterans, and advocates have been saying for years: these medicines deserve serious, expedited scientific evaluation."
Special Operations Association of America : "A monumental victory for veteran healthcare: The White House has accelerated research into psychedelics! SOAA is proud to have led this effort since 2021. More access to critical treatments for veterans is here."
Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions Co-Founder and CEO Amber Capone : "This is a meaningful and long-overdue step. For years, veterans and their families have shared their search for healing outside the traditional system. That transparency--combined with the urgency of the crisis--is what has driven ibogaine into serious scientific and policy consideration."
Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions Co-Founder and CEO Marcus Capone : "The science is beginning to catch up with what veterans have been reporting for years. But the takeaway isn't that this is ready for broad use--it's that we urgently need rigorous clinical trials, careful screening, and strong medical oversight to do this the right way."
Retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell : "You're going to save a lot of lives with it. I'd like to say how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to go through the program and receive the ibogaine. It absolutely changed my life for the better… I think there's a lot of people out there that need help -- not only our veterans, but our civilian population -- that can benefit from this and it's going to do great things for our country."
Beond Co-Founder and CEO Tom Feegel : "We commend President Donald J. Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for their visionary leadership in urgently advancing a forward-looking, science-driven approach to mental health. This Executive Order signals that psychedelics, in particular ibogaine, are now taken seriously at the highest levels of government not as a fringe concept, but as a component of the United States' mission to lead the world in the development of the most advanced, outcomes-driven approach to mental health. This Executive Order will address critical areas including a $50 million Federal
funding commitment to ibogaine research, expanded use of Right to Try pathways, expanded federal support for clinical research, and new funding mechanisms to support U.S. military veterans seeking access to ibogaine treatment in advanced, licensed, hospital-grade settings. These efforts are especially urgent in light of persistently high rates of suicide among veterans, and other Americans suffering from the effects of opioid dependency and PTSD - highlighting the critical need for new and effective treatment options for service-related trauma and mental health conditions. This is a leap towards building the infrastructure required to responsibly evaluate and deploy new therapeutic approaches."
Compass Pathways CEO Kabir Nath : "Today's announcement aligns regulatory urgency with patient need, and we applaud the Administration for taking this important step forward in accelerating access, without compromising rigorous science. Compass is conducting the largest, most robust classic psychedelic studies to date with COMP360 synthetic psilocybin. We have recently reported two positive phase 3 trials in treatment-resistant depression with highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful data that demonstrates effects within one day and durability lasting at least through 6 months after just one or two doses for those who have a clinically meaningful response, as well as a generally well-tolerated and safe profile. We are already actively working with the FDA on a rolling submission and review for
COMP360 in TRD and look forward to continuing our efforts to bring this potential transformative treatment to the millions of Americans in need. An estimated four million Americans are living with TRD and 13 million with PTSD - two conditions that have seen critically limited innovation for decades and where we have late-stage clinical programs underway, as well as ongoing work with the VA. With today's Executive Order including the potential for accelerated regulatory and rescheduling processes, should COMP360 be approved, we will be ready to make this treatment available to patients."
Definium Therapeutics CEO Rob Barrow : "Accelerating scientific progress depends on both rigor and urgency, and we thank the Administration and welcome this Executive Order as an important recognition of the persistent unmet treatment needs in serious mental illness. We applaud the Administration's recognition that psychedelic medicines may represent meaningful new treatment options for patients. We are advancing a comprehensive clinical development program for DT120 for millions of patients living with conditions including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder . A science-driven framework that supports rigorous evaluation, responsible access, and faster translation of innovation into care is essential, and the FDA's
evidence-based approval process provides the most effective path to safely delivering these therapies to patients. We commend the Administration's Executive Order on psychedelic treatment which recognizes the profound urgency of the mental health crisis facing millions of Americans and the potential impact FDA-approved psychedelics could have."
Helus Pharma Interim CEO Eric So : "The Executive Order reflects growing recognition of the urgent need for new treatment options in serious mental health conditions and the importance of advancing innovative therapies through rigorous, research-based development."
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum also praised the move:
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Sen. Lindsey Graham : "Totally support President Trump's executive order that will allow alternative therapies to be approved by the FDA to treat mental health issues experienced by our veterans and others. This is a very good decision by President Trump. Congratulations to everyone who has been advocating for this day."
Sen. Dave McCormick : "The Trump EO clears federal roadblocks by directing HHS and the FDA to work with @deptvetaffairs and the private sector on clinical trials for experimental psychedelic therapies… Veterans deserve safe, legitimate access to promising treatments for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction."
Sen. Rand Paul : "As a physician, I want to thank President Trump for stepping up and speeding up the federal review of psychedelic drugs. These medicines have the potential to help people struggling with serious mental illness."
Sen. Tim Sheehy : "This is a massive leap forward for veterans' healthcare. It is long overdue that we open up all available avenues to provide warriors the care they need so that when they return from war - they can carry on life as Veterans, not Victims. I am proud of the coalition we have helped build to advance this important cause. Thank you @POTUS for your leadership."
Rep. Tim Burchett : "This is what I voted for @realDonaldTrump @POTUS"
Rep. Mike Collins : "Thankful for @RepLuttrell and his work to improve the lives of our veterans. We owe the men and women who served this country more than words, they deserve results."
Rep. Lou Correa : "President Trump and I agree on this one. This is good for our veterans. Psychedelics promise to cure PTSD, mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction, Alzheimer's and other ailments."
Rep. Dan Crenshaw : "Countless lives could be saved by this. President @realDonaldTrump announced today he's fast-tracking research into ibogaine and other psychedelic therapies for veterans suffering from PTSD. I've seen firsthand what this treatment can do. I have friends who are alive and thriving because of it. For years, I've worked to push for funding and research. My legislation was passed into law two years ago. We made progress--but regulatory red tape always stood in the way. This executive order changes that. It gives our service members--and anyone battling severe trauma--a real shot at healing, and a second chance at life."
Rep. John James : "I flew combat missions. I have lost brothers, not in the skies over enemy territory, but back home after we returned. The invisible wounds of war do not disappear when the uniform comes off. Huge respect to the veterans, like my friend @RepLuttrell, and other advocates like @joerogan & @SecKennedy who have kept fighting for real treatment options like ibogaine and refused to be silenced. Credit to President @realDonaldTrump for listening and taking decisive action! Our warfighters deserve leaders who move with urgency, not endless excuses."
Rep. Morgan Luttrell : "Today marks a decisive step forward in our commitment to exploring innovative treatments for the invisible wounds carried by so many of our veterans. I want to thank President Trump for his leadership on this issue and for recognizing the urgency of investing in groundbreaking research that will save lives. Innovative therapies have shown life-changing results in treating combat-related mental health injuries, especially where conventional treatments, like opioids, have fallen short. If there's a chance to give our veterans their lives back, we have a responsibility to explore it. For too long, outdated stigmas and bureaucratic hurdles have slowed progress in this space. This executive order signals a shift toward prioritizing results, evidence, and above all, the well-being of those who have sacrificed for our country. It is critical we give the men and women who have served this country every opportunity
to recover and overcome these challenges. I can personally attest to the significant benefits of this treatment. It changed my life, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on countless others. We're losing too many veterans. If this treatment gives us a chance to change that, then we owe it to them to pursue it. The President's executive order brings us closer to a lasting solution that our veterans deserve."
Rep. Nancy Mace : "Americans, especially our veterans, deserve real mental health solutions. President Trump is making it happen."
Rep. Michael McCaul : "Our veterans and special operators risked everything to defend our freedoms, yet too many return home to a lifetime of devastating pain and trauma. We have a profound moral obligation to help our heroes heal. That's exactly what President Trump is doing through this revolutionary executive order, which once again proves his deep commitment to our veterans. Mounting evidence suggests that, where traditional medicine has failed, ibogaine can offer a durable path to health and healing for our nation's heroes. The status quo is unacceptable. We will continue working in Congress to build on the president's leadership and expand access to this life-saving treatment. Our veterans answered the call for us. Now we must deliver for them."
Rep. Tony Wied : "Thank you, Morgan, for fighting for our veterans and congratulations on this huge breakthrough. This is a great step in the right direction."
