President Donald Trump has nominated a new candidate for the position of deputy surgeon general, who recently wrote in a book that unproven psychedelic drugs should be considered as a treatment option, and claimed in a newsletter that using mushrooms helped her find a romantic partner.

Dr. Casey Means's recommendation to consider guided psilocybin therapy is noteworthy, especially since psilocybin is federally prohibited as a Schedule I substance, defined as having "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." While Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic therapy, some Oregon cities have subsequently banned it.

The Deputy Surgeon General's role involves providing Americans with the most reliable scientific information to improve their health and lower the risk of illness and injury. Past Deputy Surgeons General have used their position to educate the public on crucial health issues like AIDS and suicide prevention. Notably, the 1964 warning from the Deputy Surgeon General regarding the dangers of smoking played a significant part in reshaping American health.

Some individuals, such as Dr. C. Everett Koop, the former Surgeon General under President Ronald Reagan, gained prominence for their considerable influence on policy, while others quickly faded from public memory.

Việc đề cử Means, theo phong cách tương tự Trump, cho thấy sự ưu tiên những người có tiếng tăm hơn là những người có quan điểm chính sách rõ ràng. Trong trường hợp của Means, tổng thống Đảng Cộng hòa thừa nhận rằng ông chọn bà dựa trên lời giới thiệu của Bộ trưởng Y tế Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nói rằng "Bobby nghĩ bà ấy rất tuyệt," và ông không hề quen biết bà trước đó.

Means, a Stanford University graduate with degrees in both arts and medicine, started but didn't finish her medical internship in Oregon. Her medical license is currently inactive. When contacted by phone, Means declined to comment on her professional record.

In her 2024 book, "Good Energy," co-authored with her brother Calley Means, a businessman and current advisor in the Trump administration with reported investments in psychedelic drug companies, she offered recommendations regarding psychedelic substances.

The book largely focuses on metabolic health, which Casey Means terms "healthy energy." She suggests several strategies to help people "manage and heal the stresses, traumas, and limiting thought patterns that contribute to poor metabolic health and hinder our growth."

One strategy involves "considering psilocybin-assisted therapy," referring to the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. She elaborated on her views on this topic in a comprehensive 750-word essay.

"She wrote, "If you feel drawn to it, I encourage you to thoughtfully explore guided psilocybin therapy. Strong scientific evidence suggests this psychedelic treatment can be one of life's most profound experiences for some, as it has been for me.""

While some research suggests potential benefits from hallucinogenic substances, there is no definitive evidence that these benefits outweigh the risks. Psilocybin, for instance, can induce hallucinations lasting for hours, which can be either pleasant or disturbing. Although it has been explored in conjunction with therapy as a treatment for mental health conditions and alcohol dependence, limited research exists concerning its effects on healthy individuals. Potential side effects include increased heart rate, nausea, and headaches. Unsupervised use can be particularly hazardous, as hallucinations may lead users into dangerous situations, such as traffic, or other unforeseen risks.

Means argued that psilocybin and other psychedelic substances have faced unfair stigmatization. She highlighted the potential benefits of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, in aiding individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected the approval of MDMA as a therapeutic treatment for PTSD, following concerns raised by an advisory panel regarding flaws in the research and significant risks associated with its use.

In her book, she alludes to hallucinogenic substances as "plant medicine," recounting her first experience with mushrooms around January 1st, 2021, after being inspired by "an inner voice whispering: it's time to prepare."

She wrote that she felt like a continuous part of an endless line of interconnected lives, like a set of Russian dolls stretching back to the first mothers and babies. She added that, in her experience, "psilocybin can open a gateway to a different reality, one that is free from the limitations of personal beliefs, emotions, and past experiences."

In an article published in October, Means stated that she had also used psychedelics to facilitate her search for love at 35. She wrote that she had "experienced plant medicine with trusted guides" to prepare herself for a relationship, accompanied by a mushroom emoji. She also noted that she wasn't necessarily recommending that others do the same.

Trong một bài viết gần đây về các ưu tiên chính sách y tế của Nhà Trắng, bà Means bày tỏ mong muốn cải thiện chất lượng dinh dưỡng của bữa ăn học đường, đề xuất dán nhãn cảnh báo trên thực phẩm chế biến sẵn, yêu cầu điều tra độ an toàn của vaccine và nhấn mạnh sự cần thiết loại bỏ xung đột lợi ích. Bà không trực tiếp đề cập đến các chất gây ảo giác, nhưng lưu ý rằng các nhà nghiên cứu ít quan tâm đến việc nghiên cứu "các loại thuốc và liệu pháp tự nhiên, không được cấp bằng sáng chế," và cho rằng một phần ngân sách nghiên cứu nên được phân bổ cho các phương pháp tiếp cận sức khỏe thay thế.

Calley Means has also expressed support for psychedelic drugs, stating in a 2021 blog post that his first experience with psilocybin during a challenging period was "the most meaningful experience of my life – personally, professionally, and spiritually." In 2022, he reportedly "liquidated his entire 401k" to invest in the stock of two companies involved in the development and research of psychedelic substances. He did not respond to requests for comment.

A confirmation hearing for Casey Means has not yet been scheduled. Trump nominated Means after concerns arose regarding the background of his initial choice for deputy surgeon general, former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat, leading to the withdrawal of her nomination.