What the Federal Government’s Psychedelic Research Push Means for Mental Health Care
Something significant is happening in the world of mental health treatment! On April 18, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies to accelerate access to psychedelic-based therapies for Americans with serious mental illness. The order allocates $50 million through the ARPA-H program for psychedelic research, establishes pathways for patients to access investigational treatments like ibogaine under the Right to Try Act, and directs the FDA and DEA to fast-track rescheduling reviews following successful clinical trials. It’s a landmark moment, and it reflects what researchers and clinicians have known for years: these treatments hold real promise.
As this conversation enters the mainstream, you may be wondering just what all of these treatments are and why they are being talked about so much. Ibogaine, psilocybin, and ketamine are often mentioned together, but they are meaningfully different in how they work, where they stand legally, and how they can be used in a clinical setting today. Here’s a high-level look at each.
Ibogaine
Ibogaine is derived from the root bark of the African iboga plant and has shown striking results in treating addiction, particularly opioid dependence. The White House fact sheet highlights ibogaine as a priority. Ibogaine sessions are long and intense, often lasting 18 to 36 hours, and the experience can include vivid, dream-like states. Despite the encouraging research, Ibogaine carries cardiovascular risks and remains a Schedule I substance federally. Access today is limited to clinical trials or international travel. This recent Executive Order is opening more doors, but nothing is currently available to mainstream clients at the moment.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, has generated significant clinical excitement, particularly for depression, PTSD, and end-of-life anxiety. Many institutions including Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Stanford are actively studying it, and the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to some psilocybin compounds. The Trump Executive Order specifically cites these designations as a priority for expedited review. Psilocybin sessions typically last four to six hours and require trained facilitators. Like Ibogaine, Psilocybin remains federally classified as Schedule I, meaning widespread therapeutic access is still developing, even as Colorado and Oregon move toward regulated frameworks.
Ketamine
Ketamine is the only psychedelic-adjacent therapy that is currently legal, FDA-recognized, and clinically available right now. It has a decades-long safety record as an anesthetic, and its antidepressant effects can begin within hours of a session. At therapeutic doses, it produces a gentle, dissociative experience. Many people describe it as walking through their subconscious rather than a full psychedelic journey, which makes it far more approachable for most people.
Why We Believe in KAP at CRS
At Center for Resilience Strategies, we offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) because we’ve seen it sit at the intersection of hope and accessibility and we believe in its results. We don’t have to wait for more trials to provide support. We can help people now.
Ketamine is a powerful tool, but what makes it transformative is the therapeutic relationship, the intentional preparation, and the integration work that follows each session. Our clients are guided every step of the way by licensed therapists trained in trauma-informed modalities including EMDR, IFS, and CBT. As our KAP Director puts it, the goal is to “squeeze the juice” out of every experience, not just dose and move on.
We also believe this kind of healing should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we work extensively with insurance, and why we offer both individual and group KAP formats. We work with you to find the best options for coverage and care.
The national conversation around psychedelic therapy is finally catching up to what the research has been showing for years. We’re proud to be part of that movement, offering real, evidence-informed care to people who are ready for something more than what they’ve already tried.
Learn more about KAP at CRS and request a free consultation.