The Food and Drug Administration says it will offer ultra-fast review to three psychedelic drugs being studied for hard-to-treat mental health conditions, including major depression. The agency announced the move Friday, following an executive order by President Donald Trump calling for the agency to speed up access to the mind-altering drugs. The move reflects growing popular support for the psychedelics among Trump's supporters, including combat veterans and followers of the Make America Healthy Again movement. The FDA also greenlighted initial testing of a drug related to ibogaine, a potent psychedelic linked to dangerous heart rhythms.
If you know someone is in a mental health crisis, experts say the best thing to do is to spark a conversation and connect them to resources and professional help. A mental health crisis can look different for anyone. But shifts in behavior and mood, feelings of hopelessness, changes in sleep and withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy can be a signal that someone is struggling. Tips and resources can be found on the websites of organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Psychiatric Association. You can also call, text or chat with 988 to get guidance on how to start a conversation.
