Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump. He’s a strong advocate for psychedelics, pushing for their legalization and use in mental health treatment.
This article explores his views on psychedelics and what his new role could mean for their future in the U.S.
Who is RFK Jr.?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who served as U.S. Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 under his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Following his family’s legacy of public service, RFK Jr. has built a diverse career as an environmental lawyer, author, and activist. He founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s largest clean water advocacy group. Kennedy Jr. later established the Children’s Health Defense, an organization that opposes public health initiatives it deems harmful to children.
In March 2025, Kennedy was appointed the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President Donald Trump. In this role, he oversees national health policies and programs and advises the president on healthcare, welfare, and income security.
RFK and Big Pharma
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry, frequently arguing that it prioritizes profits over public health. He has accused Big Pharma of pushing prescription drugs while neglecting preventive healthcare and holistic wellness.
According to a Guardian article, he said America is the “sickest country in the world” because of its healthcare system. He says they have devoted billions to “the pills and the potions and the powders rather than on actually getting people healthy, building their immune systems”.
While Kennedy is a strong advocate of public health, his views have been very controversial. Kennedy has been a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement, previously promoting the widely debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. In 2023, he made headlines for claiming that COVID-19 was a “racially targeted” bioweapon designed to spare certain ethnic groups—remarks that were widely condemned and labeled as conspiracy theories.
RFK Stance on Psychedelics
RFK Jr. has been vocal about his support for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. He has criticised the FDA for their “aggressive suppression of psychedelics,” and advocated for their use in mental health treatment. In a post on X, he wrote:
“My mind is open to the idea of psychedelics for treatment. People ought to have the freedom and the liberty to experiment with these hallucinogens to overcome debilitating disorders.”
RFK Jr hasn’t shared anything about his personal use of psychedelics, but said ayahuasca helped his son overcome grief related to his mother’s death.
As well as psychedelics, Kennedy Jr is a proponent of medical cannabis, and pledged to legalize both during his 2024 presidential campaign. He proposed taxing these substances and using the revenue to fund “healing centers” where people recovering from addiction could learn organic farming as a form of therapy. Additionally, he expressed support for expanding banking services for the cannabis industry.
Industry leaders have expressed optimism about Kennedy’s stance. For instance, Doug Drysdale, CEO of the psychedelic company Cybin, congratulated Kennedy on social media, praising his “openness to the potential of psychedelic therapeutics.”
However, some stakeholders express concern that a right-leaning administration might prioritize the commercialization of psychedelics over the necessary integration of these therapies with comprehensive mental health and societal support systems.
RFK Jr and MDMA Therapy
MDMA has been at the center of a growing movement for psychedelic-assisted therapy. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has spent decades researching MDMA’s potential in treating PTSD, with clinical trials showing significant improvements in patients who had not responded to conventional treatments. Despite these promising results, the FDA ruled in 2024 that there was insufficient evidence to approve MDMA for medical use.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, there is renewed hope that the decision could be reconsidered. The Heroic Hearts Project–an organization dedicated to researching psychedelic therapy for veterans–criticized the rejection of MDMA, labeling it an “assault on PTSD” not grounded in science. Kennedy retweeted this sentiment, adding, “Not surprised that drug industry funding is behind the anti-MDMA campaign.”
Under Kennedy’s leadership, there is potential for MDMA to be reconsidered as a viable treatment option.
The Future of Psychedelics in the U.S.
With Trump back in the White House, the future of psychedelics in the U.S. is getting a lot of attention. While RFK Jr. has been outspoken about psychedelics, Trump is also surrounded by other influential supporters who back their medical use. This notably includes Elon Musk, who has spoken openly about his support of psychedelic therapy.
Beyond politics, the psychedelic industry is making significant strides. Oregon’s state-regulated psilocybin program completed its first full year in 2024, with approximately 8,000 participants so far. At the same time, ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials could provide the evidence needed to support rescheduling these substances.
Key studies include Usona’s trial on psilocybin for major depressive disorder (MDD), Cybin’s research on CYB003—a psilocybin analogue—for MDD treatment, and MindMed’s study of MM-120, an LSD-like compound, for anxiety.
Moreover, after a downturn in 2024, psychedelic stocks are back on the rise. Shares in major psychedelic drug biotech companies rose in close timing with RFK Jr.’s election, highlighting a re-vitalised hype around the development of psychedelic medicines.
However, stigma continues to remain a barrier to the legalization of psychedelics. At the start of the year, a bill to regulate psychedelics in Boston was rejected, demonstrating how fear and uncertainty still influence public perception of these drugs.
Final Thoughts
RFK Jr.’s position as Secretary of Health and Human Services could potentially influence the future of psychedelics in the U.S, especially as more clinical evidence around their therapeutic use emerges. While his advocacy is clear, it remains to be seen how his stance will shape policy, and if legalised, under what capacity psychedelics would be available.
