Trump signs order to speed up access to psychedelic drug treatments

Donald Trump has signed an executive order speeding up reviews of psychedelic drugs - including for ibogaine, touted as a possible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

"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," the US president said in the White House on Saturday.

Mr Trump also said his directive will help "dramatically accelerate" access to research and treatments on psychedelic drugs, adding: "If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, it's going to have a tremendous impact."

He made the remarks in front of podcaster Joe Rogan and US military veteran Marcus Luttrell.

Rogan told reporters that he texted Mr Trump about ibogaine as a treatment for depression and PTSD, to which he responded: "Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do it."

Mr Luttrell added to the president: "You're going to save a lot of lives through it. It absolutely changed my life for the better."

Ibogaine is made from a shrub native to West Africa. In high doses, ibogaine can cause hallucinations. It's also been linked to cardiac-related deaths.

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Ibogaine is heavily restricted in the UK under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, making it a criminal offence to produce and supply it.

US veterans have reported benefiting from the drug after travelling to clinics in Mexico that administer it.

(c) Sky News 2026: Trump signs order to speed up access to psychedelic drug treatments