In a Washington Post opinion column, former Texas Governor and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry explains why he has become a leading advocate for research into ibogaine, a psychoactive compound derived from the root of a West African plant. Perry describes how witnessing the experiences of military veterans seeking treatment for trauma and addiction led him to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychedelic substances and support further scientific investigation.
The column highlights Texas’ decision to allocate $50 million for FDA-authorized clinical trials studying ibogaine’s potential role in treating substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Perry argues that expanded research is necessary to better understand the compound’s benefits and risks, and calls for responsible clinical study so potential new treatments for addiction and trauma can be evaluated within the U.S. medical system.