Psychedelic Drugs Gain Support Among US Right-Wing Figures as Ibogaine Emerges in PTSD Treatment
Psychedelic drugs, traditionally associated with the cultural left, are increasingly championed by political conservatives in the US, with ibogaine gaining particular attention as a so-called 'divine technology.' This shift is led by evangelical Christians, Republican governors, military veterans, and tech billionaires advocating for its therapeutic potential.
Following the FDA's rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, ibogaine has moved to the forefront of reform discussions related to psychedelic treatments. Notably, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a landmark $50 million funding package in June 2025 to support ibogaine research, highlighting its promise especially for veterans.
Other states are also making progress: Colorado is moving toward legalizing ibogaine treatments, while Ohio is conducting discussions on potential sanctioning. A Stanford study published in Nature Medicine reported that ibogaine treatment in Mexico reduced trauma-related conditions in 30 US special forces veterans, with additional improvement observed after one month and without side effects.
Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine and a Kentucky lawyer, positions ibogaine not as a recreational drug but as a serious medication supported by personal religious reasoning, emphasizing results beyond psychedelic experiences.
High-profile proponents include former Texas governor Rick Perry and Sergey Brin, who reportedly invested $15 million in an ibogaine startup, alongside other tech figures contributing to psychedelic research and clinics.
Congressman Morgan Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL, disclosed his use of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in Mexico in 2018, crediting ibogaine with alleviating war traumas; he is the only known federal lawmaker to have tried these substances. Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill also credited ibogaine for helping with his PTSD.
However, ibogaine carries significant safety risks and contraindications, including potential for cardiac arrest. By 2021, there were 33 publicly reported ibogaine-related deaths, with the true number likely higher due to underreporting by clinics.
