Trump signs order to expand psychedelic drug research for PTSD, with Joe Rogan by his side

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday aimed at expanding research into psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder. Standing in the Oval Office, flanked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan, Trump framed the move as a breakthrough for veterans and others who haven't responded to traditional therapies.

The order directs federal agencies to streamline approval processes for clinical trials involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine. While it doesn't legalize these drugs for public use, it removes some regulatory hurdles that have slowed research for years. The administration says the goal is to get treatments to patients faster, especially those with severe depression, PTSD, and other conditions that don't always respond to standard medications.

Rogan, a longtime advocate for psychedelic therapy, stood just behind the president during the signing. He's spoken openly about using psychedelics to manage his own mental health and has hosted researchers and clinicians on his podcast to discuss their potential. His presence underscored the growing cultural shift around these substances, once seen as countercultural, now gaining traction in mainstream medical conversations.

Secretary Kennedy, known for his skepticism of pharmaceutical industry practices, called the order a step toward "patient-centered healing." He argued that decades of drug prohibition have blocked promising treatments and left many Americans without options. The Department of Veterans Affairs is expected to play a key role in upcoming studies, given the high rates of PTSD among military veterans.

Still, the move has drawn caution from some public health experts. They stress that while early studies are encouraging, psychedelics can carry risks-especially for people with certain mental health histories. They worry that political momentum could outpace scientific rigor, potentially leading to premature approvals or unsafe use.

The executive order also touches on funding, directing the National Institutes of Health to prioritize grant applications focused on psychedelic research. It encourages collaboration between federal agencies and academic institutions, with an emphasis on safety, oversight, and long-term data collection.

This isn't the first time a U.S. administration has revisited psychedelic drugs, but it's the most high-profile endorsement to date. As research ramps up in states like California and Oregon, where some psychedelics are already decriminalized or permitted in supervised settings, the federal shift could accelerate broader policy changes in the years ahead.