Trump expected to loosen restrictions on psychedelic drugs

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order intended to boost research and ease federal restrictions on psychedelic compounds that have shown promise in treating a range of intractable mental health conditions, according to three senior administration officials familiar with the discussions.

The drugs include LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin.

The measure would also provide US$50 million (S$63.5 million) for state-level research into ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic made from the root of a Central African shrub that has been drawing interest from researchers for its potential to treat opioid use disorder and other forms of substance abuse.

The funding will most immediately benefit Texas, which has already committed US$50 million to studying ibogaine. The order could come as early as April 18.

Most psychedelic compounds are illegal at the federal level, making it difficult for scientists to research their therapeutic potential even as a growing number of studies suggest that many are effective for treating severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges.

The executive order is expected to direct the Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to reduce the red tape and restrictions that have long stymied researchers in the field.

It would also pave the way for terminally ill patients to receive investigational drugs that have completed early clinical trials but have not yet been approved by the FDA.

A senior administration official, citing the epidemic of opioid deaths and the soaring number of veteran suicides, said the administration was committed to speeding up the approval process for compounds that demonstrate efficacy in treating such conditions.

The goal, the official said, was to issue approvals within weeks.

“We don’t want idle time or delays to slow down any potential decision,” the official said.

“The FDA is going to make these decisions expeditiously, but without cutting any corners on safety.” NYTIMES