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RFK Jr. and other Trump officials embrace psychedelics after FDA setback

RFK Jr. and other Trump officials embrace psychedelics after FDA setback

Time of India17-07-2025
Washington: For decades, proponents of psychedelic drugs have come to Washington with a provocative message: Illegal, mind-altering substances like LSD and ecstasy should be approved for Americans grappling with depression, trauma and other hard-to-treat conditions.
A presidential administration finally seems to agree.
"This line of therapeutics has tremendous advantage if given in a clinical setting and we are working very hard to make sure that happens within 12 months," Health Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy
Jr. recently told members of Congress.
His suggested timeline for green-lighting psychedelic therapy surprised even the most bullish supporters of the drugs. And it comes as psychedelics are making inroads in deep red states like Texas, where former
Trump
cabinet secretary and ex-governor Rick Perry has thrown his full support behind the effort.
The administration's embrace of psychedelics has sparked both excitement as well as concern from those in the field, who worry the drugs might be discredited if they appear to be rushed onto the market or are too closely linked with Kennedy, who is known for controversial views on vaccines, antidepressants and fluoride.
"I'm quite optimistic," says Rick Doblin, whose organization has pursued the medical use of MDMA (or ecstasy) since the 1980s. "But I'm also worried that the message the public might get is 'Well,
RFK
likes psychedelics and now it's approved.'"
FDA
may reconsider MDMA Under President Joe Biden, the FDA rejected MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, citing flawed data and questionable research. Regulators called for a new study, likely taking several years. It was a major setback for Doblin and other advocates hoping to see the first U.S. approval of a psychedelic for medical use.
But the agency appears ready to reconsider. FDA chief Marty Makary, who reports to Kennedy, has called the evaluation of MDMA and other psychedelics "a top priority," announcing a slate of initiatives that could be used to accelerate their approval.
One new program promises to expedite drugs that serve "the health interests of Americans," by slashing their review time from six months or more to as little as one month. Makary has also suggested greater flexibility on requirements for certain drugs, potentially waiving rigorous controlled studies that compare patients to a placebo group.
That approach, considered essential for high-quality research, has long been a stumbling point for psychedelic studies, in which patients can almost always correctly guess whether they've received the drug or a dummy pill.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and FDA also recently hired several new staffers with ties to the psychedelic movement.
"These are all very promising signs that the administration is aware of the potential of psychedelics and is trying to make overtures that they're ready to approve them," said Greg Ferenstein, a fellow at the libertarian Reason Foundation, who also consults for psychedelic companies. "We didn't hear anything about that in the Biden administration"
A spokesperson for HHS did not respond to a request for comment.
As a presidential candidate, Kennedy discussed how his son and several close friends benefited from using psychedelics to deal with grief and other issues.
A number of veterans lobbying for psychedelic access have already met with Trump's Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins.
"What we're seeing so far is positive," Collins told House lawmakers in May.
But some experts worry the hope and hype surrounding psychedelics has gotten ahead of the science.
Philip Corlett, a psychiatric researcher at Yale University, says bypassing rigorous clinical trials could set back the field and jeopardize patients.
"If RFK and the new administration are serious about this work, there are things they could do to shepherd it into reality by meeting the benchmarks of medical science," Corlett said. "I just don't think that's going to happen."
Texas goes all-in on ibogaine research As officials in Washington weigh the future of psychedelics, some states are moving ahead with their own projects in hopes of nudging the federal government. Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic therapy.
And last month, Texas approved $50 million to study ibogaine, a potent psychedelic made from a shrub that's native to West Africa, as a treatment for opioid addiction, PTSD and other conditions. The research grant - the largest of its kind by any government - passed with support from the state's former GOP governor, Perry, and combat veterans, some who have traveled to clinics in Mexico that offer ibogaine.
Ibogaine is on the U.S. government's ultra-restrictive list of illegal, Schedule 1 drugs, which also includes heroin. So advocates in Texas are hoping to build a national movement to ease restrictions on researching its use.
"Governmental systems move slowly and inefficiently," said Bryan Hubbard of Americans for Ibogaine, a group formed with Perry. "Sometimes you find yourself constrained in terms of the progress you can make from within."
Ibogaine is unique among psychedelics in both its purported benefits and risks. Small studies and anecdotal reports suggest the drug may be able to dramatically ease addiction and trauma. It was sold for medical use in France for several decades starting in the 1930s, but the drug can also cause dangerous irregular heart rhythms, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Some veterans who have taken the drug say the risks can be managed and ibogaine's healing properties go far beyond antidepressants, mood stabilizers, counseling and other standard treatments.
Marcus Capone struggled with anger, insomnia and mood swings after 13 years as a Navy Seal. In 2017, at the urging of his wife Amber, he agreed to try ibogaine as a last resort. He described his first ibogaine session as "a complete purge of everything."
"But afterward I felt the weight just completely off my shoulders," he said. "No more anxiety, no more depression, life made sense all of a sudden."
A nonprofit founded by the Capones, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, or VETS, has helped over 1,000 veterans travel abroad to receive ibogaine and other psychedelics.
But federal scientists have looked at the drug before - three decades ago, when the National Institute on Drug Abuse funded preliminary studies on using it as an addiction treatment. The research was discontinued after it identified "cardiovascular toxicity."
"It would be dead in the water," in terms of winning FDA approval, longtime NIDA director Nora
Volkow
said.
But Volkow said her agency remains interested in psychedelics, including ibogaine, and is funding an American drugmaker that's working to develop a safer, synthetic version of the drug.
"I am very intrigued by their pharmacological properties and how they are influencing the brain," Volkow said. "But you also have to be very mindful not to fall into the hype and to be objective and rigorous in evaluating them."
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Is exercising in jeans safe and healthy? RFK Jr's unusual workout raises eyebrows
Is exercising in jeans safe and healthy? RFK Jr's unusual workout raises eyebrows

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Is exercising in jeans safe and healthy? RFK Jr's unusual workout raises eyebrows

Image credits: X Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, is known to be a health freak (comes with the job, maybe). However, unlike the common gym-goer who dons comfortable clothing like t-shirts or tank tops with leggings or shorts, the 71-year-old exercises in jeans. No matter how skinny, baggy, dark or light-wash, jeans and boots constitute RFK Jr's popular and controversial gym uniform. Recently, he even went on a hike in the American summer, donning a pair of jeans. But is denim an ideal workout wear, and how does it affect health? Let's figure it out below! How does it feel to wear jeans during a workout? Image credits: X For those who have tried the Health Secretary's gym fit, jeans are a big NO. Recently, a USA TODAY wellness editor tried running three miles in jeans, and the feeling was described as "constricted, contained and confounded." They shared how the humidity and sweat were trapped in their legs, and the usual breeze of air they felt while running in shorts was nowhere to be found. They also tried their hands at a solid core and gym session and ditched the jeans by the end. According to Truett Hanes, an athlete and Guinness World Record holder, who has run a marathon PR in denim pants, jeans don't "slow me down too much." 'The biggest takeaway is if you want to get something done, then you don't need the perfect circumstance or the perfect gear,' Hanes said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mit Qebeh: Unsold Sofas May Be at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo 'Make it happen—and if it happens to be in jeans, then even better.' A Men's Health writer also tried working out in jeans for a week. While he was able to do all kinds of exercise, from running to weightlifting, he wrote that he would still prefer the normal workout gear. A social media creator who goes by the name @Atlaspowershrugged, said that his journey of wearing jeans began as a way of convenience while juggling his kids, but later led him to increase his online engagement. 'During my kids' nap, I'd run out and do a workout, and I happened to be wearing jeans during the nap,' Atlas told GQ. 'If I post a cool lift in jeans, there'll be five people asking why I did it in jeans, which is engagement", he added. Is wearing jeans during a workout healthy? Image credits: X The saying each to his own, is the ideal answer to this question. Are jeans the best workout gear? No. But are they the worst? According to some dedicated gym-goers who work out in denim, they are good. However, unlike the ideal polyester gym wear, jeans can cause you some health problems when worn regularly for physical exercise. Restricted movement : Jeans are not as flexible as stretchable polyester, and thus, your range of movements in core exercises and pilates could be extremely limited. Low breathability : As mentioned above, rather than soaking up the moisture or aiding in the air flow, jeans trap the heat and humidity, leading to irritation and overheating during exercise. Chafing : Chafing is a proven disadvantage of working out in jeans. The harsh material and seams of the jeans rub against the skin constantly during a workout and can cause chafing and pain. In a conversation with Newsweek, Justin Kraft, a personal trainer from Denver, advised against denim as sportswear. "I get the logic behind the added resistance jeans might create, but that's pretty much where the benefits stop," he began. "Restricting that flow with tight fabric is a fast way to hinder your performance and could lead to bigger issues, especially if you have conditions like high blood pressure or sciatica," he explained. "Jeans also limit your range of motion, which is crucial for exercises like squats, lunges and deadlifts. If you can't hit those full ranges, you're not only cheating your muscles but also increasing your risk of injury." "Plus, the thick material, seams and lack of breathability in jeans will turn a good sweat session into a chafing nightmare," he said, substantiating the points mentioned above. If resistance is your aim in training, the trainer advises the use of methods such as sandbags, slam balls, battle ropes and balance discs.

The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead
The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead

Indian Express

time4 hours ago

  • Indian Express

The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead

By Brian N. Chin I saw it firsthand after my cat Murphy died earlier this year. She'd been diagnosed with cancer just weeks before. She was a small gray tabby with delicate paws who, even during chemotherapy, climbed her favourite dresser perch – Mount Murphy – with steady determination. The day after she died, a colleague said with a shrug: 'It's just part of life.' That phrase stayed with me – not because it was wrong, but because of how quickly it dismissed something real. Murphy wasn't just a cat. She was my eldest daughter – by bond, if not by blood. My shadow. More than two-thirds of US households include pets. Americans tend to treat them like family with birthday cakes, shared beds and names on holiday cards. But when someone grieves them like family, the cultural script flips. Grief gets minimised. Support gets awkward. And when no one acknowledges your loss, it starts to feel like you weren't even supposed to love them that much in the first place. I've seen this kind of grief up close – in my research and in my own life. I am a psychologist who studies attachment, loss and the human-animal bond. And I've seen firsthand how often grief following pet loss gets brushed aside – treated as less valid, less serious or less worthy of support than human loss. After a pet dies, people often say the wrong thing – usually trying to help, but often doing the opposite. Psychologists describe this kind of unacknowledged loss as disenfranchised grief: a form of mourning that isn't fully recognised by social norms or institutions. It happens after miscarriages, breakups, job loss – and especially after the death of a beloved animal companion. The pain is real for the person grieving, but what's missing is the social support to mourn that loss. Even well-meaning people struggle to respond in ways that feel supportive. And when grief gets dismissed, it doesn't just hurt – it makes us question whether we're even allowed to feel it. Here are three of the most common responses – and what to do instead: This is one of the most reflexive responses after a loss like this. It sounds harmless. But under the surface is a cultural belief that grieving an animal is excessive – even unprofessional. That belief shows up in everything from workplace leave policies to everyday conversations. Even from people trying to be kind. But pet grief isn't about the species, it's about the bond. And for many, that bond is irreplaceable. Pets often become attachment figures; they're woven into our routines, our emotional lives and our identities. Recent research shows that the quality of the human-pet bond matters deeply – not just for well-being, but for how we grieve when that connection ends. What's lost isn't 'just an animal.' It's the steady presence who greeted you every morning. The one who sat beside you through deadlines, small triumphs and quiet nights. A companion who made the world feel a little less lonely. But when the world treats that love like it doesn't count, the loss can cut even deeper. It may not come with formal recognition or time off, but it still matters. And love isn't less real just because it came with fur. If someone you care about loses a pet, acknowledge the bond. Even a simple 'I'm so sorry' can offer real comfort. 'I know how you feel' sounds empathetic, but it quietly shifts the focus from the griever to the speaker. It rushes in with your story before theirs has even had a chance to land. That instinct comes from a good place. We want to relate, to reassure, to let someone know they're not alone. But when it comes to grief, that impulse often backfires. Grief doesn't need to be matched. It needs to be honoured and given time, care and space to unfold, whether the loss is of a person or a pet. Instead of responding with your own story, try simpler, grounding words: 1) 'That sounds really hard.' 2) 'I'm so sorry.' 3) 'I'm here if you want to talk.' You don't need to understand someone's grief to make space for it. What helps isn't comparison – it's presence. Let them name the loss. Let them remember. Let them say what hurts. Sometimes, simply staying present – without rushing, problem-solving or shifting the focus away – is the most meaningful thing you can do. 'You can always get another one' is the kind of thing people offer reflexively when they don't know what else to say – a clumsy attempt at reassurance. Underneath is a desire to soothe, to fix, to make the sadness go away. But that instinct can miss the point: The loss isn't practical – it's personal. And grief isn't a problem to be solved. This type of comment often lands more like customer service than comfort. It treats the relationship as replaceable, as if love were something you can swap out like a broken phone. But every pet is one of a kind – not just in how they look or sound, but in how they move through your life. The way they wait for you at the door and watch you as you leave. The small rituals that you didn't know were rituals until they stopped. You build a life around them without realising it, until they're no longer in it. You wouldn't tell someone to 'just have another child' or 'just find a new partner.' And yet, people say the equivalent all the time after pet loss. Rushing to replace the relationship instead of honouring what was lost overlooks what made that bond irreplaceable. Love isn't interchangeable – and neither are the ones we lose. So offer care that endures. Grief doesn't follow a timeline. A check-in weeks or months later, whether it's a heart emoji, a shared memory or a gentle reminder that they're not alone, can remind someone that their grief is seen and their love still matters. People often don't know what to say after a pet dies, so they say nothing. But silence doesn't just bury grief, it isolates it. It tells the griever that their love was excessive, their sadness inconvenient, their loss unworthy of acknowledgment. And grief that feels invisible can be the hardest kind to carry. So if someone you love loses a pet, don't change the subject. Don't rush them out of their sadness. Don't offer solutions. Instead, here are a few other ways to offer support gently and meaningfully: 1) Say their pet's name. 2) Ask what they miss most. 3) Tell them you're sorry. 4) Let them cry. 5) Let them not cry. 6) Let them remember. Because when someone loses a pet, they're not 'just' mourning an animal. They're grieving for a relationship, a rhythm and a presence that made the world feel kinder. What they need most is someone willing to treat that loss like it matters.

Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know
Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know

Business Standard

time5 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Venus Williams' health insurance comments: What athletes need to know

Venus Williams' recent singles win at the DC Open showcased her longevity and brought attention to health coverage for aging athletes following a joking comment she made in an on-court interview. "I had to come back for the insurance," the five-time Wimbledon champion said after Tuesday's match, her first in 16 months. "They informed me this year that I'm on COBRA, so it's like, I got to get my benefits on." The 45-year-old Williams, who has won seven major singles titles in her career, became the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis with Tuesday's victory. After losing on Thursday, she acknowledged that her comment on health insurance was a "fun and funny moment." The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, more commonly referred to as COBRA, allows Americans to stay on their employer's insurance plan for a limited amount of time after leaving their job. It comes with high costs. Williams' comment led to questions about health insurance in the sports world. For most active professional athletes, partially or fully subsidised health insurance is provided by their league or governing body and guaranteed in their collective bargaining agreement. A CBA is an agreement reached between a league and its players that guarantees certain levels of player compensation and benefits, and can be renegotiated every few years. So when athletes are playing, they're usually covered. But Williams, coming back to the sport after a 16-month hiatus, brought to light how long that insurance lasts or doesn't last for athletes when they're not playing. Women's Tennis In the WTA, the governing body of the women's tour, players are eligible to enroll in the health insurance plan if they are ranked in the top 500 in singles or top 175 in doubles and have played a minimum of three WTA 250 level or above tournaments that year. If players are in the top 150 in singles or top 50 in doubles, the WTA will pay a portion of the premiums. If a player is no longer eligible under those requirements, they can enrol in COBRA for up to 18 months, which is likely the situation that Williams was referencing. That is also the WTA's only option for retiring players. "Nobody wants to be on COBRA, right? Williams said after her second-round loss on Thursday night. That remains an issue in my life Obviously (the interview was) a fun and funny moment, but it's an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious." Men's Tennis The ATP provides health insurance to men's tennis players who rank in the top 250 in singles or top 50 in doubles. All other players with a ranking point are given the opportunity to purchase health insurance through the ATP's provider. For retired players, the only option is COBRA for up to three years. Golf As an individual sport without a CBA, golf tours vary. They do have a group insurance plan that is available to active members of the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champions (the tour for golfers over 50) and the Korn Ferry Tour (the feeder circuit for the PGA). For players who meet certain "performance criteria," including how many tournaments they played and how often they won, the PGA will partially subsidise the plan. In retirement, players are responsible for their own insurance. Some players join the PGA Tour Champions after the PGA Tour and play into their mid-60s, during which they maintain coverage. Top players can receive a subsidy from the PGA in retirement. The LPGA Tour, the women's professional golf tour, started offering its players fully funded health insurance for the first time this year. Before this year, players were given a $4,000 stipend. NBA NBA players have access to one of the most inclusive insurance plans in retirement. If they played at least three years in the league, retired NBA players are eligible for fully-funded health insurance in retirement, and if they played at least 10 years, they will have healthcare covered for their entire family. WNBA WNBA players are fighting for retirement healthcare as part of their new CBA, which they are currently negotiating with the league. Those negotiations have been heated, and the most recent meeting between the two sides last weekend did not result in an agreement. One unique facet of the W's healthcare is that athletes who have spent more than eight years in the league can be reimbursed up to USD 20,000 a year for costs related to adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing or additional fertility treatments. NFL The NFL has less long-term coverage for retirees than most other team sport leagues athletes who played in the league for at least three years can remain on the NFL health insurance plan, but only for five years into retirement. NHL NHL players who have played more than 160 games with the league, which is about two seasons, are eligible to buy NHL health insurance for their retirement. The retirement insurance plan is eligible for partial subsidization from the league. MLB Baseball players who spent at least four years in the league have the option to pay premiums to stay on the MLB's healthcare plan indefinitely. Minor League Baseball has its own separate CBA, which also guarantees health insurance for active players. In the minors, however, players who get cut or leave the league lose coverage at the end of that month. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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