Possible drug approval of MDMA might be reconsidered during the Trump administration
In the world of podcasts, a new series titled Mistresses is making waves, offering fresh perspectives on history's often maligned "other women." The podcast, presented on Audible by Kate Lister and Jameela Jamil, begins with the idea that traditional historical accounts - written mostly by men - have seen polarizing women "erased, sidelined or embellished through a lens of disapproval and misogyny."
On a different note, the US President Donald Trump has been making headlines with his economic policies. In a move that could impact the global oil market, Trump threatened to put tariffs on buyers of Russian oil, a move that could drive up crude prices and severely impact India and China, Moscow's biggest customers. However, India remains defiant in the face of Trump's threats and has not stopped its purchases of Russian oil.
Meanwhile, the FDA's focus on psychedelic medicine continues to evolve. Although MDMA was rejected as a prescription medication last year, the FDA commissioner has declared MDMA "a top priority." The FDA is also expected to issue more guidance and develop tailored regulatory tools to facilitate psychedelic drug approvals and clinical use. While MDMA-assisted therapy was not approved by an FDA advisory panel in 2024 due to concerns about trial design, safety, and therapist conduct, psilocybin has shown promising Phase 3 trial results for treatment-resistant depression.
Geopolitical tensions are also running high. The US and China are increasingly decoupling, even as they try to maintain a fragile trade truce. The US and Israeli officials backed a new plan to end the war in Gaza through one agreement rather than piecemeal truces, as talks with Hamas stall. The measures largely target the "shipping empire" of the son of an ally of the Iranian leader, with the Treasury Department saying the network is part of the shadow fleet carrying sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran to buyers worldwide, especially China.
In other news, BP made its largest global oil and gas discovery in 25 years off the coast of Brazil. The find could play a big role in the company's efforts to increase daily oil and gas production by up to 2.5 million barrels. Pakistan's powerful army chief is personally courting Trump, reflecting a shift in US policy toward the region.
The world economy has been resilient, but cracks are emerging, and the US' recession risk is elevated. Stock markets fell around the world after Trump unveiled a swath of revised tariffs. China and Russia opened joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, the latest sign of their strengthening alliance on both tactical and strategic levels.
In education, the US National Science Foundation has in recent years issued far fewer grants related to China. Kremlin-backed hackers are targeting foreign embassies in Moscow, Microsoft warned. Certain psychedelic clinical programs remain on hold due to FDA safety concerns.
In summary, the FDA is increasingly prioritizing psychedelics as promising mental health treatments but has not yet granted formal full approvals as of August 2025. Geopolitical tensions are running high, with the US and China decoupling, the US and Israel pushing for an all-or-nothing approach to end the war in Gaza, and the US imposing fresh sanctions on people and organizations linked to Iran. The world economy is showing signs of strain, with recession risks elevated and stock markets falling after Trump's tariff announcements.
In the realm of health and wellness, the FDA's focus on psychedelic medicine reveals a potential breakthrough for medical-conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, with promising Phase 3 trial results for psilocybin. Concurrently, the scientific community continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, as the US and China decouple, and the US imposes fresh sanctions on people and organizations linked to Iran, affecting various sectors including the global oil market.
