New front runners in Psychedelic Research emerge, as Texas put 50 million into Ibogaine R&D

Written by Iona Grahame

On June 11th, 2025, Texas passed Senate Bill 2308, allocating $50 million in state funds towards the research and development of ibogaine for medical use. The bill had support from a large bipartisan majority and was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, authorising universities, hospitals, and drug developers to work towards potential FDS-approved ibogaine treatments for veterans.

After evaluating many proposals, UT Health Houston was chosen to lead a consortium of institutions a two-year project, evaluating the drug’s effects on addiction, traumatic brain injury, and other neuro-symptomatic conditions.

The bill challenges a psychedelic-hesitant FDA, most notably their rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD last year. Despite the potential impact, benefit, and use within the modern psychological landscape, a cultural hangover remains around psychedelics. However, the lack of private investment into solutions for growing issues such as addiction, PTSD and anxiety, could push more state-led R&D investigations such as this.

What is Ibogaine and why has Texas pinpointed it for research?

Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the iboga shrub, originating from West and Central Africa. Considered a sacred plant amongst some communities within Gabon, it has been used for centuries in ritualistic ceremonies for teenagers coming of age. Within the USA, it has been a Schedule 1 controlled substance since 1970, labelling it as having “no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”. This has been an obvious barrier to any form of research, but studies are beginning to find diametric outcomes in both lab and field environments, and there is pressure to revise its status.

Ibogaine was initially identified in the West in the 60s, when a young American called Howard Lostof and some friends discovered that it extinguished their heroin addiction. Lostof went on to develop a foundation, through which he was granted a patent to use ibogaine as treatment for heroin and cocaine addiction, as well as PTSD for Holocaust survivors. Although he ultimately failed to achieve FDA approval for the treatment, many have praised him for paving the way for its future establishment within medical communities.

Research has shown that ibogaine, and other psychedelics, are able to promote neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form new connections and escape from deeply entrenched thought patterns. It thus targets the root of mental diseases, such as addiction and PTSD rather than softening symptoms (like current pharmacological solutions, such as SSRIs).  However, Ibogaine is more difficult than other psychedelics to administer, raising questions as to why Texas chose it over the classical psychedelics more central to the current renaissance. One theory arises from support for Republican Rick Perry, Texas’ longest-serving governor, after his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he voiced enthusiasm for clinical ibogaine use: 

"I have always been open to new knowledge. The same thing with criminal justice reform and in-state tuition, as a Republican, I have my beliefs, but I am willing to change them once looking at the data and science.” 

His support stems from the small-scale trials that highlight its promise for a number of neurological conditions: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, as well as its ‘single treatment’ nature—one session with ibogaine and a medical supervisor seems to clear the brain’s cycles, enabling patients to walk away free of previous constrictive chains. For a state with high levels of neurological difficulties, ibogaine may be too lucrative of a solution not to investigate further.

Furthermore, Texas has the highest number of veterans compared to any other state in the US, and much ibogaine research has centred on PTSD. A published study from Stanford on veterans and ibogaine found the drug effective in reducing PTSD, depression and Traumatic Brain Injuries. Again, the effects lasted, with no reported side-effects and upward improvement in symptoms. Bill 2308 ensures that the state will receive at least 20 percent of the generated revenue (if the FDA approves ibogaine’s use), and 25 percent of that total will be allocated to Texas veterans. This will amass much public support within the state, which is perhaps another motivation for passing of the bill.

USA changes tack

It's an interesting line for the Republicans, who have historically championed the conservative opposition to recent drug developments, such as cannabis legalisation. However, there is a new wave flooding onto the political scene reframing the image of psychedelics from the long-haired, liberal hippie, to the modern, tech tycoon, using psychedelics to enhance professional endeavours, self-medicate, and self-improve. Figures, such as Connor McGregor coming out and praising ibogaine for its transformational, lifesaving qualities, exemplifies ibogaine as a substance spearheading this narrative shift. Furthermore, the bipartisan nature of psychedelics in Texas hints at a solidarity between parties, and fruitful path forward for medical research and political agreement within the states and perhaps globally.

This bill is an important step for therapeutic psychedelics, exposing the breadth of opportunities and substances yet to be properly researched. It’s exciting to see politicians in the United States embracing novel treatments, and even more exciting to see it be done through public investment supporting medical alternatives. Texas is helping replace psychedelics’ old hippy stereotype, with a promising future, driven by a fast-growing need for medical solutions as mental health issues are rapidly rise.

As Texas takes a leap towards ibogaine research, it will be interesting to see the significance it holds for ibogaine and classic psychedelics more widely, and, crucially, what it will take to push the needle in the UK.