HHS backs ibogaine development and broader psychedelic research

HHS announced up to $4.9 million over five years through ARPA-H to prepare ibogaine for possible U.S. studies as a treatment for PTSD and other serious mental illnesses, including among veterans. The funding is for regulatory, product-development, and domestic-manufacturing groundwork—not patient treatment or human trials.

Teams led by Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company will work on the regulatory and manufacturing foundation for a U.S.-made ibogaine hydrochloride product. Another selected group, Beond, is expected to contribute data on safety, dosing, efficacy, and durability.

HHS says the work could support future applications to conduct U.S. trials. The announcement itself does not authorize trials or mean ibogaine is FDA-approved; the drug also carries potentially serious heart-rhythm risks.

Separately, the National Institute of Mental Health announced a $20 million funding opportunity for a research network on rapid-acting psychotropic treatments, including ketamine, esketamine, and psilocybin. HHS says additional ibogaine awards may focus on substance-use disorders.