Representative Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) declared Tuesday that the political moment is ripe for advancing psychedelic therapies, pointing to President Trump's recent executive order as critical top-cover for research. Speaking at The Hill's event on psychedelic treatments, Bergman, co-founder of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, stressed that the window of opportunity may be narrow.
Trump's Executive Order as a Catalyst
Trump's executive order, signed last month, directs the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track reviews of psychedelic drugs for mental health conditions, particularly targeting veterans with anxiety and depression. Bergman noted that such executive actions can be reversed by future administrations, making swift legislative action essential. "The time is now to get the ball rolling, to see some breakthroughs," he said, warning that delay is unacceptable.
The order aligns with a broader shift in federal drug policy, as explored in Trump's drug policy shift from war on drugs to psychedelic research, signaling a departure from decades of prohibitionist approaches.
Bergman's Product-Agnostic Approach
Bergman emphasized that his focus is on outcomes, not specific substances. "I'm product agnostic," he stated. "I'm interested in outcomes." He highlighted the growing interest in compounds like psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. However, he cautioned that drug development is only part of the equation.
Bergman argued that infrastructure must keep pace with innovation. "We have to have the centers set up and we have to have the therapists trained and ready to administer the protocols," he said. This sentiment echoes broader discussions in psychedelic medicine gaining momentum as Congress weighs mental health reform.
Legislative Action: The Centers of Excellence Act
To address these needs, Bergman introduced the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act alongside Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.), the other co-chair of the PATH Caucus. The bill would establish at least five VA centers dedicated to researching therapies including MDMA, ibogaine, and ketamine. This legislative push comes as the FDA has already granted fast-track status to several psychedelic studies, as detailed in FDA grants fast-track status to three psychedelic drug studies in line with Trump's executive order.
Political Urgency and Next Steps
Bergman made clear that the executive order's temporary nature—tied to Trump's tenure—creates urgency. "If you're that person [delaying], we're coming after you," he warned. The congressman called on stakeholders to move quickly, leveraging the current administration's support to cement federal investment in psychedelic therapies before the political winds shift.
As the mental health crisis deepens, particularly among veterans, Bergman's push reflects a growing bipartisan interest in alternative treatments. The success of these efforts may hinge on whether Congress can translate executive action into lasting policy.
