The Department of Health and Human Services has announced new initiatives aimed at improving mental health treatment for veterans, including a commitment of up to $4.9 million to research ibogaine as a potential treatment for PTSD and substance use disorders.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the importance of investing in research to enhance care for veterans, who often face severe mental health challenges.

Kennedy also noted that the funding awards “do not fund patient treatment or human subject research,” emphasizing the preliminary nature of the financial support.

The federal health research agency ARPA-H will manage the funding, while Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company is set to develop ibogaine in the US, with Kennedy stating that its price would be comparable to generic drugs if approved.

The National Institute of Mental Health will also allocate $20 million for research on various psychotropic drugs, including ketamine and psilocybin.

While ibogaine has shown promise in treating conditions related to traumatic brain injuries, it remains classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the U.S. due to safety concerns.

The initiative aims to leverage clinical data from Beond Ibogaine, a Texas-based company, to expedite the clinical trial process and ensure transparency in research findings.

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