Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump has directed his administration to speed up reviews of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, which has been embraced by combat veterans and conservative lawmakers despite serious safety risks. The FDA will issue national priority vouchers for three psychedelics, allowing for faster approval times, and will take steps to clear the way for human trials of ibogaine in the US. Trump’s action has surprised advocates and researchers, given ibogaine’s known cardiovascular toxicity. The move is seen as a step towards easing restrictions on psychedelics for medical use, with the potential to help treat conditions like severe depression and PTSD.
Our Reading
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Trump’s executive order on psychedelics has drawn support from veterans and conservative lawmakers, despite concerns over safety risks. The FDA’s decision to fast-track approval for certain psychedelics, including ibogaine, signals a shift towards greater acceptance of these substances for medical use. Ibogaine, in particular, has been touted as a potential treatment for PTSD and addiction, despite its known cardiovascular toxicity. The move is seen as a win for advocates, but also raises questions about the potential risks and benefits of these substances.
The numbers tell one story, but the politics of psychedelics tell another.
Author: Evan Null
