President Trump’s executive order aimed at loosening restrictions on psychedelics as mental health treatments was largely applauded by advocates. But some also quietly worry the White House’s role in trying to bolster the field risks politicizing it and undermining the credibility of research.
The order, which was reported to have stemmed at least in part from a text podcaster Joe Rogan sent Trump about psychedelics research, directs the Food and Drug Administration to expedite the review of some compounds and calls for the establishment of a new regulatory pathway for experimental psychedelics to be tried by terminally ill patients. It also allocates funding to states developing research programs.
While the order does not actually reschedule any drugs or change legislation, many advocates and researchers welcomed the move, saying it signals the administration’s interest in advancing psychedelics as treatments and could help ease bottlenecks in expanding access.
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