NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation that could bring a controversial treatment for opioid addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, an effort supporters say could create new options for patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies.
The HOPE Treatment Act would allow FDA-supervised clinical trials of ibogaine, which is a plant-based psychoactive compound that has drawn increasing attention for its potential to treat addiction and mental health conditions. The bill does not legalize ibogaine but instead creates a structured framework for research.
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“If Tennessee is leading the nation in opioid addiction and veteran suicide, then we have a responsibility to lead the nation in finding solutions, and this bill does just that,” said Sen. Page Walley (R-Savannah), the bill’s Senate sponsor.
The legislation would allow partnerships between hospitals, research institutions and drug developers to conduct clinical trials while requiring strict safety protocols, including medical supervision and cardiac monitoring. It also requires private or outside funding to match state dollars before funds are distributed.
Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro), the bill’s House sponsor, said the goal is to evaluate whether ibogaine can safely and effectively treat opioid use disorder, PTSD and other conditions…