This posting is inspired from my recent readings on Rick Perry involvement with Ibogaine as a Psychedelic Therapy.
Healing at the Edge: Psychedelic Therapy Today — From Ibogaine to Microdosing
Across the U.S., once-taboo psychedelics are breaking into mainstream therapeutic discourse. From groundbreaking investments to cautious regulatory moves, here's where we stand.
Ibogaine: From Underground to Center Stage
A Former Governor’s Unlikely Crusade
Rick Perry—the conservative former governor of Texas and ex-Secretary of Energy—has emerged as a passionate advocate for psychedelic therapy, particularly ibogaine. After witnessing transformative effects in veterans like Marcus Luttrell, Perry has publicly embraced the treatment despite earlier skepticism The Texas TribuneThe Daily BeastChron.
Perry describes ibogaine as alleviating addiction, reversing brain decline, and easing PTSD-driven anxiety—even claiming it reversed signs of brain atrophy The Daily BeastChron. He's since formed the nonprofit “Americans for Ibogaine” to push for clinical use The Washington PostThe Texas Tribune.
Texas: The Psychedelic Frontier
In an unprecedented move, Texas committed $50 million to state-backed clinical trials of ibogaine, aiming to study its potential for treating addiction, PTSD, and neurological injury among veterans and civilians The Washington PostSan Antonio Express-NewsSan Francisco ChronicleGoverningAddictionNews. This public-private model includes collaborations with universities, hospitals, and drug developers, and grants Texas a share of any resulting commercial success Governing.
Advocates hope this effort may secure Breakthrough Therapy status or ignite broader FDA approval—but caution it's likely six or more years away from clinical rollout The Texas TribuneGoverning.
Scientific Promise & Safety Concerns
Ibogaine’s mechanisms include promoting neuroplasticity, raising GDNF levels (which supports dopaminergic neuron health), and modulating opioid, serotonin, and NMDA pathways—all offering strong theoretical support for addiction and trauma treatment RedditPMCWikipedia.
Yet, significant risks remain—particularly cardiotoxic effects, ethical and legal challenges, and lack of robust human trials Wikipedia+1AP News.
Other Psychedelics: Building Complementary Momentum
MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD & Microdosing
While MDMA and psilocybin have gained attention for treating PTSD and depression, FDA advisory committees have issued criticism over trial data or methodology, delaying official approval Wikipedia. In contrast, MindMed’s LSD derivative (MM120) has been granted Breakthrough Therapy status—currently in Phase 3 for anxiety and soon to begin Phase 3 for depression. Their MDMA-based MD402 is in Phase 1 for autism spectrum disorder Wikipedia.
Independent research continues—for example, the VA already allocated $1.5 million toward veteran PTSD and alcohol-use disorder trials Wikipedia. And at UT Austin, researchers are studying psilocybin for treatment-resistant and postpartum depression, as well as LSD for generalized anxiety Reddit.
Neuroplasticity Is the Common Thread
A growing body of research indicates classic psychedelics—like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT—promote neuroplasticity, potentially recalibrating brain circuitry after just a single session arXiv. Novel non-hallucinogenic analogs, such as tabernanthalog, show promise in reversing stress-induced brain changes without intense trips Reddit.
Meanwhile, microdosing—taking sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin—is gaining popularity for boosting mood, creativity, and focus, though rigorous data is still limited Wikipedia.
Voices from the Vets & Veterans
Prominent GOP lawmakers—many of them veterans, like Rep. Morgan Luttrell and Dan Crenshaw—are calling for psychedelic research rooted in science, highlighting personal healing stories from ibogaine and DMT experiences The Wall Street JournalReddit. But critics caution that enthusiasm must be matched with scientific rigor to avoid missteps WikipediaThe Wall Street Journal.
Veteran nonprofits like Heroic Hearts Project provide safe access, prep, and integration for those pursuing treatments abroad, while starting to fund research collaboration with universities Wikipedia.
Summary: What’s Driving the Trend—and What to Watch
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Political Advocacy | Unlikely voices like Rick Perry and congressional veterans are now fronting the push for psychedelic research and access. |
| Public Funding Momentum | Texas’s $50M for ibogaine trials is historic. Other public entities, like the VA, are funding MDMA and psilocybin research. |
| Clinical Trials & Innovation | Trials for MDMA, LSD (MM120), and psilocybin continue. Research into analogs like tabernanthalog seeks safer alternatives. |
| Neuroplasticity Focus | The transformative potential of psychedelics increasingly ties back to brain rewiring and lasting change. |
| Safety & Ethics | Concerns—ranging from heart risks to clinical misconduct—highlight the need for oversight, informed consent, and integration. |
| Community-Based Demand | Veteran-focused nonprofits and private courses attest to the growing cultural demand and grassroots investment. |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelic therapy stands at a pivotal crossroads. Ibogaine reignites the conversation with bold political backing and massive funding, but it remains overshadowed by safety, legal, and efficacy concerns. Meanwhile, MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD are advancing through more conventional clinical pathways, but aren’t free from regulatory setbacks. New compounds and integration communities signal growing innovation, curiosity, and cultural resonance.
Here are further reading on psychedelic therapy developments
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