Trump joined by Joe Rogan as he signs order to speed up psychedelic review

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftDonald TrumpWhat to know about the SAVE ActTrump’s midterm strategyWhy did Trump fire Pam Bondi?Could the US oil blockade snuff out the Cuban cigar?caret-rightNews|HealthTrump joined by Joe Rogan as he signs order to speed up psychedelic reviewThe order calls on the federal government to relax restrictions on psychedelics, including ibogaine, for potential treatments. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoTrump shows off an executive order on psychedelics in the Oval Office with guests like Joe Rogan [AFP]By Al Jazeera Staff and The Associated PressPublished On 18 Apr 202618 Apr 2026United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to speed up the review of a handful of psychedelic drugs, including the controversial ibogaine. Trump was joined by podcaster Joe Rogan during Saturday’s Oval Office event. Rogan, considered one of the most influential podcasters in the country, has been a leading proponent of ibogaine, which is derived from a plant that grows in West Africa and has been embraced by some military veteran groups as a treatment for post-traumatic stress. Speaking at the event, Rogan recounted how he had previously texted information to Trump about ibogaine. He recalled that the president quickly texted back: “Sounds great. Do you want FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approval? Let’s do it.” Advocacy groups have long pushed for more research into the possible use of psychedelics to treat an array of issues, including depression. “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,” Trump said at the signing. “If these turn out to be as good as people are saying, it’s going to have a tremendous impact.” At one point, the president quipped that he would be open to taking psychedelics himself: “Can I have some, please? I’ll take some.” But he quickly pivoted away from the joke. “I don’t have time to be depressed. You know, if you stay busy enough, maybe that works, too. That’s what I do,” he said. Increasing research into psychedelics has proven a rare issue with bipartisan support in the US, where ibogaine and other psychedelics remain banned under the federal government’s most restrictive category for illegal drugs. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr had previously pledged to ease access to psychedelics for medical use. Trump’s executive order calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to direct at least $50m to states that have enacted or are developing programmes to advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness. It also arrives ahead of several actions from the FDA to loosen restrictions. This week, the agency will issue so-called “national priority” vouchers for three psychedelics, which the agency’s commissioner, Marty Makary, said will allow certain drugs to be approved quickly “if they are in line with our national priorities”. The FDA is also taking steps to clear the way for the first-ever human trials of ibogaine in the US. Previous research had been stalled by concerns over the drug potentially triggering fatal heart problems. Ibogaine was first used by members of the Bwiti religion in African nations like Gabon for religious ceremonies. Rogan’s endorsement helped boost Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election. He has since publicly questioned the administration’s war with Iran, saying it runs counter to Trump’s campaign pledges. Also present on Saturday was Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL whose memoir about his time in Afghanistan, Lone Survivor, was later made into a film. He praised ibogaine during the ceremony: “It absolutely changed my life for the better.” Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: