Former Gov. Rick Perry backs access to psychedelic ibogaine at Dallas film event

Ibogaine advocacy takes center stage at a Dallas screening tied to an unreleased documentary, with former Gov. Rick Perry arguing Texas should expand access to the psychedelic for people who could benefit. Perry, who previously said he used ibogaine to treat anxiety and other mental health issues likely related to his military service, links the event to Texas legislative momentum. Texas Senate Bill 2308 authorizes up to $50 million in matching funds for in-state clinical trials, aiming to generate data that could support eventual FDA approval, despite ibogaine being Schedule I in the US. The program credits ibogaine’s African medicinal and ritual history and highlights ongoing research and recovery claims for conditions including addiction and traumatic brain injury. Speakers emphasize that evidence remains limited, with calls for larger, more rigorous trials and caution about safety risks, including reports of fatal cardiac events linked to inadequate medical monitoring.