President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 18 to expand access to psychedelic drugs as treatments for Americans with mental health disorders.
The order directed federal agencies to accelerate the process of research and approval for psychedelics, including ibogaine, a plant-derived compound currently classified as a Schedule I substance.
The order, which podcaster Joe Rogan said was issued in response to information he sent Trump, touched on a longstanding debate over mental health and psychedelics.
Here’s what Trump’s order did and how it was received by professionals.
Expanding Access
Despite decades of research, these types of drugs have yet to be approved for medical use by the federal government. Under the Controlled Substances Act, psychedelic drugs like ibogaine are still heavily regulated as Schedule I substances….