The Joe Rogan Experience

Rick Perry & Hubbard on Joe Rogan: Why $100M on ibogaine

How veteran testimony drove Texas to fund $100M in ibogaine FDA trials; the drug claims to reset opioid and alcohol dependence in 48 to 72 hours.

JRJoe RoganhostRPRick PerryguestWHW. Bryan Hubbardguest

Apr 1, 2026·2h 14m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1

   Texas commits $100M to the Ibogaine Initiative: how the funding finally landed

   Bryan Hubbard recounts the 15-month campaign to secure Texas legislative support for an FDA drug-development pathway for ibogaine. The effort nearly missed the budget deadline before a last-minute meeting with House leadership and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick resulted in full state funding—now doubled to $100M.

2. 2

   The Dan Patrick pivot: veterans, the Luttrells, and the moral case for action

   The discussion explores why Dan Patrick moved from skepticism to support. Marcus and Morgan Luttrell’s personal testimony about ibogaine’s impact on warfighters helped open the door, followed by a scientific and moral argument about autonomy, recovery, and human dignity.

3. 3

   Ibogaine 101: what it is, where it comes from, and why it’s different

   Hubbard gives a primer on ibogaine: an alkaloid from the iboga shrub used in Gabon’s Bwiti traditions. He describes its unusual ability to interrupt physical dependence across substances and emerging evidence around compulsive behaviors.

4. 4

   From Mexico clinics to Stanford: veterans, TBI, and neuroregeneration claims

   The episode connects the rise of veteran ibogaine treatment in Mexico with Stanford’s interest in studying outcomes. Hubbard describes findings and anecdotes suggesting neuroregenerative potential for TBI and other hard-to-treat neurological conditions, while emphasizing the need for rigorous trials.

5. 5

   Rick Perry’s personal origin story: Marcus Luttrell, opioids, and a governor’s turning point

   Rick Perry explains how his relationship with Marcus Luttrell exposed him to the depths of addiction and despair among veterans. He describes hosting Luttrell at the governor’s mansion, failed conventional approaches, and ibogaine’s transformative role later—cementing Perry’s commitment.

6. 6

   Policy parallels: Texas criminal justice reform as the template for ibogaine reform

   Perry ties his evolution on ibogaine to an earlier shift on criminal justice reform—moving from “lock them up” to treatment-based alternatives that reduced recidivism and saved billions. He argues the same openness and pragmatism should apply to psychedelics policy today.

7. 7

   How ibogaine works in practice: the ‘critical period,’ outcomes, and why it’s not recreational

   The conversation distinguishes ibogaine from party drugs and focuses on treatment mechanics and timing. Perry highlights neuroplasticity windows across psychedelics, the severity of the experience, and striking claims about withdrawal interruption and brain-scan normalization.

8. 8

   Stories from the field: trauma survivors, first responders, athletes, and moral injury

   Hubbard and Perry share examples of people they say were helped by ibogaine—from sexual trauma survivors and first responders to pro athletes and veterans dealing with moral injury. Joe connects the discussion to combat sports and CTE risk in fighters.

9. 9

   Science infrastructure in Texas: Center for BrainHealth study and what it aims to answer

   Perry reads a statement announcing a major collaboration among UT Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth, Americans for Ibogaine, and Forward Intent. The study focuses on veteran outcomes, durability of effects, functional changes, and neuroimaging correlates over 18 months.

10. 10

    Curiosity vs dogma: changing minds, media narratives, and Joe’s philosophy of beliefs

    Joe, Perry, and Hubbard reflect on how people become trapped in ideology and how openness enables change. They connect the rise of long-form conversation and internet access to the possibility of nuanced discussions about psychedelics and policy reform.

11. 11

    Perry’s own ibogaine treatment: concussion history, brain scans, and regeneration claims

    Perry describes undergoing ibogaine after multiple severe concussions and years of insomnia/anxiety. He reports neuroimaging changes—immediate increases in prefrontal cortex activity and a later scan that a neurosurgeon friend interpreted as reduced atrophy—fueling interest in broader brain-health applications.

12. 12

    Scaling nationwide: the multi-state strategy and fast-moving legislation roll call

    Hubbard lays out a state-driven coalition to ‘crash through’ federal inertia and run a unified FDA trial with Texas as the hub. He lists states advancing bills and highlights overwhelming bipartisan vote margins in places like West Virginia and Mississippi.

13. 13

    International and tribal dimensions: Gabon partnership, Choctaw Nation, and supply-chain realities

    Hubbard announces Gabon has named Americans for Ibogaine an official partner for global advancement, reflecting iboga’s cultural origin. He also discusses engagement with the Choctaw Nation and broader tribal leaders, while noting complexities around sovereignty and interstate supply constraints.

14. 14

    Federal bottlenecks and ‘Right to Try’: DEA interpretations, rescheduling, and presidential action

    The guests argue that federal agencies—especially the DEA—are the primary obstacles to rapid access and research. They focus on Right to Try law, the DEA’s refusal to apply it to Schedule I substances, and the need for executive leadership to reschedule ibogaine and accelerate trials.

15. 15

    Closing arguments: opioid catastrophe, political blame in Kentucky, and a generational call to mission

    The episode ends with broad moral framing: ibogaine as a humanitarian ‘moonshot’ for addiction, trauma, and brain injury amid spiritual and institutional crisis. Hubbard delivers a sweeping, patriotic closing address tying the mission to national renewal and the 250th anniversary context.