Trump Signs Executive Order Removing Barriers to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Veterans & Patients With Serious Mental Illness
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order that will accelerate access to treatments for patients with serious mental illness, reaffirming the administration's commitment to removing regulatory barriers — including those surrounding psychedelic drugs as potential therapies.
Background & Context
During his first term, the Trump administration reported historic progress in helping Americans struggling with some of the most debilitating mental illnesses. According to the White House, suicide rates decreased by 5 percent from 2018 to 2020.
However, the administration states that the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged shutdowns that followed reversed that progress, with suicide rates rebounding to their peak in 2022. The order emphasizes that veterans "often suffer in greater measure from this tragedy."
— GovOneStop: The Facts, based on VA & Department of Defense data
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
- Removing Barriers to Psychedelic Drug Research & Treatment: The order directs federal agencies to accelerate the evaluation of psychedelic compounds — such as psilocybin and MDMA — as potential treatments for serious mental illnesses including PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and suicidal ideation.
- Accelerating Patient Access: Federal departments are instructed to streamline regulatory pathways so that promising therapies can reach patients faster, particularly those for whom existing treatments have failed.
- Veterans at the Center: Given the disproportionate toll of mental illness and suicide among veterans, the order places special emphasis on expanding treatment options available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Continued "Make America Healthy Again" Agenda: This order builds on earlier actions, including the establishment of the Make America Healthy Again Commission and a previous executive order increasing options for care, benefits, and services for veterans.
- 5% — Drop in U.S. suicide rates from 2018 to 2020 during the first Trump term.
- 2022 — Year suicide rates rebounded to their highest recorded level.
- Veterans experience mental-health crises at a rate significantly exceeding the general population.
Part of a Broader Health Agenda
The Executive Order is the latest in a series of health-focused presidential actions. In February 2025, President Trump signed an order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission. In December 2025, a separate order was signed to increase medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) research. And in February 2026, the administration launched TrumpRx.gov to help American patients access lower drug prices.
Additionally, in May 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order specifically aimed at increasing options for care, benefits, and services for veterans, underscoring a continued focus on those who have served the nation.
What Comes Next
Federal agencies, including the FDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, are expected to begin implementing the directives in the coming weeks. Advocates for psychedelic-assisted therapy have praised the move as a potential turning point in the treatment of PTSD, depression, and other conditions that have proven resistant to conventional medication.
Critics may raise concerns about safety and the pace of deregulation, but the White House framed the action as a compassionate, evidence-driven step toward saving lives — particularly those of American veterans.