Top Trump Administration Officials Attend ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Summit Featuring Psychedelics Session
Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary among attendees as psychedelics emerge as a key topic of discussion
A growing number of high-ranking Trump administration officials are converging at this week’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) summit, an event designed to promote public health innovation — and notably, one that includes a session on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Other top figures scheduled to attend include Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller. The event, set for Wednesday, will showcase initiatives under the MAHA agenda, focusing on prevention-based health strategies rather than reactive treatment.
Psychedelics Take the Stage: “The Next Frontier in Mental Health”
The summit will feature a high-profile discussion titled “Psychedelic Medicine: The Next Frontier in Mental Health,” led by Christian Angermayer, founder of the psychedelics company AtaiBeckley. Angermayer’s firm is developing a 5-MeO-DMT-based therapeutic aimed at treating severe depression.
“Today is an important milestone,” said Tony Lyons, president of MAHA Action, in a press statement. “It’s the culmination of a movement 40 years in the making — a movement that will usher in healthier generations and innovation focused on prevention rather than treatment.”
While it remains unclear which senior Trump officials will attend the psychedelics panel, its inclusion in the summit agenda signals a notable shift: the integration of psychedelic medicine into mainstream conservative health discussions.
Trump Officials Express Growing Interest in Psychedelic Therapies
Vice President JD Vance has previously voiced curiosity about the field, telling podcast host Joe Rogan that he’s “fascinated” by psychedelic therapy and eager to explore how it could fit into regulated medical treatment.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who once campaigned on legalizing and taxing psychedelics to fund mental health programs, has continued advocating for reform since joining the administration. In June, Kennedy reaffirmed that HHS is “absolutely committed” to expanding research into psychedelic therapy and aims to provide legal access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA for veterans within 12 months.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary echoed those priorities in May, calling the exploration of psychedelics such as psilocybin and ibogaine a “top priority” for the Trump administration — particularly in addressing trauma among military veterans.
Veterans Affairs, Lawmakers, and Researchers Align on Psychedelic Medicine
Momentum is also building within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA official recently emphasized the need to “gear up” for potential federal approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies and to ensure that practitioners are properly trained.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said he’s had an “eye-opening” discussion with Kennedy on the topic and has expressed openness to vouchers covering psychedelic therapy for veterans outside of VA facilities. Collins also visited a psychedelics research center earlier this year and reaffirmed his “promise” to advance research — even if that requires new congressional authority.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan effort in Congress continues to gain traction. Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, introduced legislation to allocate $30 million annually to create psychedelics-focused “centers for excellence” at VA hospitals nationwide.
Psychedelics Gain Traction in Conservative Circles
Beyond government agencies, prominent conservatives have also begun endorsing psychedelic research.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich praised ibogaine’s therapeutic promise on his podcast this summer, referencing a Stanford University study showing improvements in PTSD, anxiety, and depression among veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
A Navy SEAL veteran credited with killing Osama Bin Laden also recently shared on Fox News how psychedelic therapy helped him process military trauma, saying, “It works.”
This growing acceptance is reflected in policy as well: a House spending bill amendment introduced by Correa and Bergman encourages the VA to support psychedelics research for veteran health conditions.
The Trump Administration’s Shifting Stance on Psychedelics
The inclusion of psychedelics in a Trump-aligned public health summit marks a striking contrast to prior federal resistance. Kennedy himself previously criticized the FDA’s “suppression of psychedelics,” describing it as part of a “war on public health” that the current administration aims to end.
Kennedy has also spoken candidly about his own early experiences, recalling a “wonderful” encounter with LSD at age 15 that sparked his curiosity about the human mind.
The Trump administration’s evolving approach reflects a broader bipartisan recognition that psychedelic-assisted therapies could revolutionize mental health care — particularly for veterans, trauma survivors, and those struggling with chronic depression or addiction.
A New Chapter for Psychedelic Medicine
As MAHA unfolds, its psychedelics panel underscores the mainstreaming of once-taboo treatments. With support from policymakers, researchers, and the veteran community, the United States may be on the verge of a historic shift in mental health treatment — one that bridges science, policy, and compassion.
As Vance, Kennedy, Makary, and other top officials spotlight the issue, the message is clear: psychedelic medicine has entered the national conversation at the highest levels of government.
Stay informed on the evolving relationship between policy, mental health, and psychedelics. Follow Cannabis Risk Manager for updates on federal reform, clinical trials, and regulatory developments shaping the future of psychedelic medicine.
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