President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign a new executive order that will increase research into psychedelic drugs used to treat mental illnesses, potentially paving the way for their legal use in controlled environments.
The commander in chief is in talks to draft the order, which would release new guidance for medical research on drugs such as psilocybin and ibogaine, multiple insiders told The Washington Post.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump teased an upcoming announcement scheduled for Saturday morning on something he feels 'strongly about.'
The president called the impending revelation a 'very positive thing,' adding that he would be joined by a 'very good, very smart, very caring' person to make the official announcement.
Sources first told CBS News of the executive order, adding that it's meant to open the door to federal funding for research on ibogaine's effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries.
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive from the root of a shrub native to Central Africa.
The drug is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning there are no accepted medical uses for it and a high potential for abuse.
Trump is said to be in talks to draft the order, which would release new guidance for medical research on drugs such as psilocybin and ibogaine.
Ibogaine is unregulated in countries including Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
The drug has gained popularity in recent years and generated the attention of medical professionals.
Stanford Medicine released a study in 2024, concluding that ibogaine effectively treated military veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
The study found that when combined with magnesium to protect the heart, the drug safely and effectively reduced PTSD, anxiety and depression.
'No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury,' said Nolan Williams, an associate professor of behavioral sciences and psychiatry.
'The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further.'
Trump's looming executive order could pave the way for future studies to explore ibogaine's effectiveness.
The potential move would be a win for advocacy groups who have lobbied for years to achieve alternative pathways to mental health therapy.
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry helped launch the nonprofit, Americans for Ibogaine, last year to advance education, clinical research and responsible medical access to the drug.
Perry also served as the Energy Secretary under Trump's first administration. He appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience last month with the nonprofit's CEO, W. Bryan Hubbard, to advocate for ibogaine.
Amber Capone, the CEO and founder of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, told Reuters that the news of increased access to ibogaine marked a 'huge sigh of relief.'
'There's no doubt whatsoever in our minds that it works,' she said.
'But we just can't say, "Believe us." The research has to corroborate what we know to be true, and it feels like we could finally, finally be making some impact.'
Trump has previously implemented legislation in support of loosening federal restrictions on drugs.
He signed an executive order in December, paving the way for medical applications of marijuana and CBD products.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.