At a featured session during South by Southwest, former Texas governor Rick Perry publicly called for federal approval of ibogaine, framing the plant-based psychedelic as a potentially transformative treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Speaking alongside W. Bryan Hubbard, neuroscientist Gul Dolen, and veteran Marcus Luttrell, Perry acknowledged skepticism around his advocacy but emphasized his long-term commitment to advancing the therapy. The panel highlighted growing scientific and political interest in ibogaine despite its current classification as a Schedule I substance.
The discussion blended personal testimony with policy ambitions, as Luttrell described his experience overcoming opioid dependence after treatment abroad, while Hubbard and Dolen challenged existing regulatory frameworks and treatment models. Panelists argued that ibogaine could represent a shift away from long-term symptom management toward more durable neurological and psychological outcomes. The session also underscored Texas’ recent $50 million investment in ibogaine clinical trials, positioning the state as a potential leader in psychedelic research and a catalyst for broader federal reconsideration.