Donald Trump's new pick for surgeon general has suggested considering unproven psychedelic drugs as treatments in his recent book. In a newsletter, he also implied that using mushrooms helped him find a romantic partner.

It's worth noting that Dr. Casey Means suggested exploring guided psilocybin-assisted therapy. This is significant because psilocybin is a Schedule 1 drug under federal law, meaning it's illegal, has no accepted medical uses, and a high potential for abuse. While Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic therapy, some cities in Oregon have since banned it.

The Surgeon General's job is to give the American public the best scientific advice on how to improve their health and lower the risk of illness or injury. Previous Surgeons General have used their position to educate people about health issues like AIDS and preventing suicide. One former Surgeon General even helped to change the course of health in America when he warned about the dangers of smoking in 1964.

Some figures, like Dr. C. Everett Koop, who was Surgeon General under President Ronald Reagan, greatly influenced policy and became well-known, while others are easily forgotten.

The nomination of Dr. Means fits Trump's pattern of choosing people known more for their public image than their policy positions. Regarding Means, the Republican president admitted he selected her solely on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recommendation, saying "Bobby thought she was great," while adding that he didn't know her.

Dr. Means, who graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree and a medical qualification, started a medical internship in Oregon but didn't finish it. Her medical license is currently inactive. When contacted by phone, Dr. Means declined to comment on the records.

In her 2024 book, "Good Energy," she recommended the use of psychedelics. This book was co-written with her brother, Curry Means, an entrepreneur who is currently a health advisor in the Trump administration. Curry has stated that he invested in a biopharmaceutical company specializing in psychedelics.

Many books focus on metabolic health, which Dr. Means calls "good energy." She suggests several strategies to help people manage and heal from stresses, traumas, and thought patterns that limit them and worsen their metabolic health.

One approach involves considering psilocybin-assisted therapy, which uses a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. She discussed this topic at length in a 750-word article.

She wrote that if you feel drawn to it, she suggests exploring intentional and guided psilocybin therapy. "Strong scientific evidence suggests this psychedelic treatment can be one of the most meaningful experiences in a person's life, as it was for me."

Although some studies suggest benefits from psychedelics, it's not confirmed if these benefits outweigh the risks. Psilocybin can cause hallucinations for several hours, which can be either pleasant or frightening. While being researched as a treatment for mental health issues and alcohol addiction when combined with therapy, there's limited research on its effects on healthy individuals. Side effects can include increased heart rate, nausea, and headaches. Taking it without supervision is dangerous, as hallucinations could lead users to put themselves in harm's way, such as walking into traffic.

Dr. Means has written that psilocybin and other psychedelics are unfairly judged. She highlighted how MDMA, also called ecstasy or molly, can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the FDA refused to approve MDMA as a PTSD treatment last year, stating that the research had flaws and the risks of using it were too high.

In her book, Dr. Means refers to psychedelics as "plant medicine," explaining that her first experience with mushrooms around January 1, 2021, was prompted by an inner voice telling her it was "time to prepare."

She wrote that she felt like a piece of an endless, cosmic nesting doll, made up of countless mothers and babies stretching back to the beginning of life. She added that, in her experience, psilocybin could "open a door to another reality, free from the limitations of my ego, emotions, and personal history."

In a newsletter from October, Dr. Means mentioned using psychedelics at 35 to help her "make space for love." She clarified that she felt ready for a relationship after trying plant medicine with a trustworthy guide, ending her note with a mushroom emoji. She also stated that she wasn't necessarily suggesting others do the same.

In a recent article about health policy priorities for the White House, Dr. Means called for healthier school meals, warning labels on heavily processed foods, research into vaccine safety, and the removal of conflicts of interest. While she didn't mention psychedelics directly, she suggested that some research funding should go to alternative health approaches, arguing that there's little motivation to study "common, natural, and unpatentable drugs or therapies."

Curry Means also supports the use of psychedelic drugs, writing in a 2021 blog post that his first experience with psilocybin during a difficult time was "the most meaningful experience of my life, personally, professionally, and spiritually." In 2022, he stated that he "sold all of [his] 401k and bought stock in two companies that develop and research psychedelics." He did not respond to requests for comment.

Casey Means' confirmation hearing hasn't been scheduled yet, after President Trump withdrew Janet Nesheiwat, a Fox News medical contributor and his first choice for the role, due to concerns about her background, and then nominated Dr. Means.