The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding on July 13, 2026, to strengthen collaboration on research, clinical development, and responsible deployment of rapid-acting psychedelic drug products for veterans — if approved by the FDA. The MOU implements Executive Order 14401, signed by President Trump, which directs agencies to accelerate mental health treatments. VA Secretary Doug Collins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the agreement at VA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Nearly 6 million veterans live with mental illness or substance use disorders, including about 1 million with serious mental illness. The VA is currently involved in 20 active psychedelic clinical trials, supported by more than $23 million in external funding. Companion actions announced the same day included a separate FDA–VA MOU, FDA final guidance on psychedelic drug clinical investigations, a NIDA ibogaine study award of up to $11 million, and an FDA public hearing scheduled for September 14, 2026. Psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ibogaine remain Schedule I controlled substances with no FDA-approved psychiatric indications as of July 2026.
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