A Boon For Psychedelic Medicine: Trump Signs Executive Order
In this special edition of Trade To Black, presented by Flowhub, host Shadd Dales breaks down a major development out of Washington as President Donald Trump signs a new executive order aimed at accelerating psychedelic medicine research in the United States. The announcement focuses heavily on fast-tracking clinical pathways for breakthrough treatments like ibogaine, with a clear emphasis on helping veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and addiction. Joining us live from the White House, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley provides on-the-ground insight into the significance of this moment — not just for the psychedelic sector, but for veterans and Americans seeking alternative mental health treatments.
“Whiz” Buckley, founder of the No Fallen Heroes Foundation, flew overnight from Boca Raton after receiving a White House call the previous evening. Buckley, a former Navy fighter pilot and veteran advocate, described the signing ceremony as surreal and deeply emotional, recounting how his own transformative experience with ibogaine therapy in Mexico — taken at personal and legal risk — had ultimately led him to the Oval Office. He credited years of advocacy, appearances on programs including those hosted by Lara Trump and Eric Trump, and the broader veteran community for building the momentum that culminated in the order.
Buckley painted a vivid picture of the room during the signing of this executive order for psychedelic substances. He noted that Trump challenged his own medical advisors on the efficacy of SSRIs versus psychedelic therapies, citing Stanford’s ibogaine study showing roughly 80 percent success rates compared to single-digit figures for conventional antidepressants. Both Buckley and Shadd framed the order as a starter pistol that could compress FDA approval timelines for companies already in late-stage trials.
This episode dives into what actually happened inside the White House during the press conference, including remarks from key figures across government, media, and advocacy. From the presence of Joe Rogan to the influence of former Texas Governor Rick Perry and policy advocate Bryan Hubbard, the event highlighted how this movement has been building behind the scenes. The administration also signaled urgency around reducing regulatory barriers, increasing funding, and pushing federal agencies to move faster on research and potential approvals.
On the investment side, Buckley identified four publicly traded psychedelic companies as his focus: Compass Pathways, with a potential NDA submission expected in Q4 and FDA approval possible in Q1 of next year. He pointed to the failed MDMA trial under the prior administration as a cautionary tale that current companies have learned from by removing talk therapy components from their drug applications.
This conversation explores what this executive order could mean for the future of medicine, public policy, and emerging healthcare markets.
