The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it has granted fast-track designation to three experimental psychedelic drugs intended to treat major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The expedited review process allows pharmaceutical companies to have more frequent meetings with FDA officials and potentially brings these treatments closer to market approval. Fast-track designation is typically reserved for drugs that address unmet medical needs in serious conditions.

The decision comes as researchers have shown renewed interest in psychedelic compounds for treating mental health disorders. Clinical trials in recent years have demonstrated promising results for substances like psilocybin and MDMA in treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.

The FDA's announcement represents a significant development in the regulatory pathway for psychedelic medicine, which has faced decades of research restrictions. The agency has previously granted breakthrough therapy designation to other psychedelic treatments, including psilocybin therapy for major depressive disorder.

While the specific compounds receiving fast-track status were not detailed in available reports, the designation will allow developers to submit portions of their applications on a rolling basis rather than waiting to complete full studies before seeking approval.