By — Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-administration-officials-announce-ptsd-research-funding-for-psychedelic-drug-ibogaine Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump administration officials announce PTSD research funding for psychedelic drug ibogaine Politics Nov 12, 2026 4:58 PM EST WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials on Thursday announced new funding to explore the medical potential of ibogaine, a controversial psychedelic drug championed by veterans, conservative lawmakers and podcasters aligned with President Donald Trump. Watch the news conference in the video player above. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said his department is awarding up to $4.9 million to prepare for the first U.S. studies of ibogaine for post-traumatic stress disorder, a hard-to-treat condition linked to higher suicide and substance abuse rates among veterans. READ MORE: Trump signs order to hasten review of psychedelics The money will not go directly to patient research, Kennedy said, but to lay the groundwork needed to manufacture, dose and design studies of the drug. Stand with free and independent journalism. Join Press Pass from PBS News Ibogaine…
WATCH: Trump administration officials announce PTSD research funding for psychedelic drug ibogaine
In short
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announced up to $4.9 million in federal funding to prepare clinical trials for ibogaine. The effort follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to accelerate research into psychedelics after he discussed the therapy with podcaster Joe Rogan. While advocates praise its potential for severe depression and trauma, the illegal compound carries severe risks like fatal heart irregularities. To design these preliminary trials safely, federal officials will review clinical data from Texas-based Beond Inc., which has treated over 3,000 patients in Mexico.
Key points
- Initial federal funding will focus strictly on preparation and safety protocols rather th…: Initial federal funding will focus strictly on preparation and safety protocols rather than immediate patient treatments.
- Health officials are proceeding with caution due to substantial health hazards, including…: Health officials are proceeding with caution due to substantial health hazards, including hallucinations and potentially fatal irregular heart rhythms.
- The initiative reflects broader administrative efforts to explore psychedelic therapies,…: The initiative reflects broader administrative efforts to explore psychedelic therapies, with the Food and Drug Administration reviewing separate applications for MDMA and psilocybin.