Texas will fund research into psychedelic drug that help combat PTSD, opioid addictions

Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation Wednesday authorizing $50 million in state funding to research ibogaine, a plant-based psychedelic compound, as a potential treatment for opioid addiction, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Senate Bill 2308 establishes what advocates call the largest state-funded psychedelic research initiative in U.S. history, according to KERA News. The law creates a public-private partnership requiring private investors to match the state’s funding contribution.

“Texas is home to more veterans than any other state,” Abbott said during the bill signing ceremony at the Texas Capitol. “Many of those veterans suffer from injuries both seen and unseen.”

The legislation allows the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide state matching funds for Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trials conducted by public universities in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, according to the governor’s office.

Ibogaine is derived from the root bark of the iboga plant, native to Central and West Africa. The compound remains classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law, meaning it has high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use, according to FOX 26 Houston.

However, the Texas law does not legalize ibogaine or bypass federal regulations, according to the Reason Foundation. The legislation maintains existing prohibitions on possession, use, manufacture and sale while creating a framework consistent with FDA drug approval processes.

Recent research has shown promising results. A 2024 Stanford University observational study involving 30 special operations veterans who received ibogaine therapy in Mexico found nearly 90% reduction in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms, with improvements in concentration, memory and information processing, according to FOX 26 Houston.

Former Gov. Rick Perry, a key advocate for the legislation, attended Wednesday’s signing ceremony. Perry said he witnessed veterans successfully treat substance use disorders, PTSD, anxiety and traumatic brain injuries with ibogaine therapy.

“This is the most important work I’ve ever done — and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure ibogaine gets the attention and research it deserves,” Perry said, according to KERA News.

Navy SEAL veteran Marcus Luttrell, who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, testified in support of the legislation. Luttrell said ibogaine treatment eliminated both his alcohol dependency and opioid addiction.

“When I took [ibogaine] and woke up the next morning, I not only didn’t drink anymore — I didn’t have an opioid addiction anymore,” Luttrell said, according to KERA News.

The law is structured so that if ibogaine receives FDA approval, Texas would receive a percentage of revenue generated from the drug development process, according to KERA News.

Abbott was joined at the signing ceremony by House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Sens. Tan Parker and Charles Perry, along with dozens of veterans and advocates.

The legislation passed the Texas House 141-2 and the Senate 26-5, according to Marijuana Moment.

Senate Bill 2308 was authored by Sen. Tan Parker and Rep. Cody Harris.