President Trump Signs Executive Order Promoting Ibogaine Research for Mental Health Issues

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order encouraging research into ibogaine, a psychedelic substance, as a potential treatment for mental health conditions such as substance use disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This development occurs amid broader state-level efforts, with more than 220 psychedelic policy reform bills introduced across U.S. states in the last five years.

Rep. Sam J. Creekmore IV, chairman of the Mississippi House of Representatives’ Public Health Committee, stated that he authored a bill in Mississippi to pursue Food and Drug Administration approval for ibogaine. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves weeks ago. Mississippi's law aligns with similar measures in Texas as part of a national push for ibogaine's approval.

According to data cited in the context of these efforts, 54,734 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2024. Drug overdose deaths have started to decline, but tens of thousands of lives are still lost annually. National relapse rates for opioid addiction range between 65% and 70% with conventional treatments.

Ibogaine is used in supervised medical settings at international clinics in countries including Mexico, Brazil, and New Zealand. Reports from these locations indicate long-term recovery rates of 50% to 70% for addiction treatment, with short-term improvements of 80% or higher. These outcomes exceed typical results from standard opioid treatments, though U.S. clinical trials remain limited.

Rep. Sam J. Creekmore IV reported meeting special forces veterans from Mississippi who received ibogaine treatment in Mexico for post-traumatic stress disorder, as it is illegal in the United States. These veterans sought treatment abroad after conventional methods failed.

The executive order and state laws aim to address such gaps in access to potential therapies for mental health conditions affecting veterans and others.