Texas to launch independent psychedelic study after drug companies miss mark

AUSTIN, Texas - After losing faith in potential drug company partners, Texas is planning to launch an independent study into the medical application of ibogaine, a naturally occurring plant with psychedelic properties that's been promising for PTSD and other mental maladies. 

Texas had invested $50 million into such a study last year, but Wednesday, leaders said their attempt to get pharmaceuticals involved has fallen flat. 

New Texas ibogaine study

The latest:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced Monday that no drug company has submitted a proposal that meets the law’s requirements and standards to receive state funds and begin clinical trials. Due to that development, lawmakers on Tuesday announced their decision to effort a study as a state, apart from private companies. 

The announcement was made jointly by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who had joined forces last year to get the bill funding an ibogaine study to the tune of $50 million across the goal line. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill in June, hoping to develop an ibogaine drug that would receive approval for clinical trials from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Patrick and Burrows say they intend to fully fund the program through the legislature, and will work in partnership with Texas medical research teams to achieve their goal. 

What is ibogaine?

Dig deeper:

Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound that comes from the root of a shrub that's native to Central and West Africa.

Research from the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics states ibogaine has been used in the past to treat addiction to drugs like opioids, heroin, and cocaine; and as an antidepressant. Ibogaine treatment is currently used in areas of Mexico and New Zealand where it is given with close medical supervision.

In the United States, ibogaine is considered a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule 1 drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse and have no currently accepted medical use.

Previous studies

The backstory:

In 2024, Stanford Medical worked with 30 U.S. special forces veterans who were going to Mexico to receive ibogaine treatment for traumatic brain injuries.

At the clinic, the veterans were given oral ibogaine and magnesium to help prevent heart complications, which is a side effect of ibogaine.

The study showed that the treatment led to a nearly 90% reduction in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms compared to before the treatment. Formal tests showed improvement in the veterans' concentration, memory and information processing.