WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to certain psychedelic substances for the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
The directive allocates $50 million in federal funding to improve access to the therapies and instructs the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate reviews of substances such as psilocybin and ibogaine.
NPR reported Saturday that the administration is seeking to fast-track regulatory evaluation of psychedelic-assisted treatments.
Trump was joined at the signing ceremony by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Next week, the FDA is expected to issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelic drugs.
FDA Commissioner Mary Makary said the move could allow reviews to be completed within weeks.
If implemented, it would mark the first time the agency has fast-tracked psychedelic treatments.
At the ceremony, Trump said the initiative is part of efforts to address a national mental health crisis, including suicide.
The executive order said more than 14 million American adults have a serious mental illness, while around 8 million are taking prescription medication for such conditions.
Trump also highlighted reported success in trials involving active-duty military personnel and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently involved in at least five clinical trials in New York, California and Oregon.
Psychedelics, also known as hallucinogens, are psychoactive substances that can alter perception, mood and cognitive processes.
Source: Saudi Gazette