How the right embraced psychedelics

The MAGA right is enthusiastically embracing a potent psychedelic called ibogaine. Its the new counter-counter-culture. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. President Donald Trump signing an executive order to further medical research for certain psychedelic drugs, with Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., podcaster Joe Rogan, and W. Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine looking on. Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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How the right embraced psychedelics

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Speaking to Politics Mike Politics shape our world. The issues being decided in the halls of government every day have real and lasting impact on all our lives, but discussing politics is extremely unpleasant. It is very difficult today to have a calm, adult conversation about politics. Are the people screaming on TV, the radio, and online really who “we” are? Are they really representative of mainstream America or are they just really aggressive and loud? I believe the adults just got tired of it and walked away, but their silence is not consent. This podcast is the test of that theory. If you see fit to tune in, I will present news of the day, analysis and commentary while doing my best to check my feelings at the door and let you, the listeners, decide what it means to you. No ominous music, no angry rants, just a relaxed conversation and positive vibe. Politics, for reasonable people.

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This episode is 25 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 18, 2026.

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