The person nominated by President Donald Trump for Surgeon General wrote in a recent book that people should think about using unproven psychedelic drugs as treatment, and suggested in a newsletter that using mushrooms helped her find a romantic partner.

Dr. Casey Means' suggestion to think about psilocybin-assisted therapy is interesting, especially because psilocybin is illegal according to federal law. It's classified as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it supposedly has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." While Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic therapy, some cities in Oregon have since prohibited it.

O papel do médico-chefe é dar ao público informações científicas atualizadas para promover a saúde e prevenir doenças e acidentes. No passado, outros médicos-chefes usaram este cargo para informar sobre temas de saúde importantes, como a AIDS e a prevenção do suicídio. Em 1964, o alerta do médico-chefe sobre os riscos de fumar foi importante para melhorar a saúde nos EUA.

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

Means' appointment fits Trump's usual style of picking people known more for their public image than their political views. In Means' case, the Republican president said he chose her only because Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended her. Trump said, "Bobby thought she was great," and added that he didn't know her personally.

Means, who graduated with medical degrees from Stanford University, started a medical residency in Oregon but didn't finish it. Her medical license is currently inactive. When contacted by phone, Means declined to give an official statement.

In her 2024 book, "Good Energy," co-written with her brother Calley Means, an entrepreneur and current health consultant for the Trump administration, she recommended the use of psychedelics; Means has stated he invested in biopharmaceutical companies focused on these substances.

Uma parte significativa do livro aborda a saúde metabólica, que Casey Means descreve como "energia positiva". Ela propõe várias estratégias para ajudar as pessoas a "controlar e resolver os fatores de stress, traumas e modelos de pensamento que nos limitam e prejudicam a nossa saúde metabólica e bem-estar geral".

One approach is "exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy," referring to the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. She explains her views on this in a detailed 750-word passage.

"Ela escreveu: 'Se você se sentir inclinado, sugiro que explore a terapia com psilocibina, focada em intenções. Há fortes evidências científicas de que essa terapia psicodélica pode ser uma experiência de vida muito importante para algumas pessoas, como foi para mim.'"

While some studies suggest psychedelics might be helpful, it's not proven that the good outweighs the bad. Psilocybin can cause hallucinations lasting for hours, which can be either enjoyable or scary. Combined with therapy, it's being studied for mental health issues and alcoholism, but there's little research on healthy people. Side effects can include a faster heartbeat, feeling sick, and headaches. Taking it without supervision can be risky, as hallucinations might lead to dangerous situations.

Means wrote that psilocybin and other psychedelics faced negative perceptions. She emphasized the potential benefits of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, in assisting individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. However, the Food and Drug Administration declined to approve MDMA as a PTSD therapy last year, following concerns from an advisory panel about flaws in the research and significant risks associated with its use.

Means mentions psychedelics in her book, calling them "plant medicine." She explains how she first took mushrooms around January 1st, 2021, after being inspired by "an inner voice that whispered: it's time to get ready."

Ela escreveu que se sentiu como parte de uma longa sequência de mães e bebês desde o começo da vida, comparando-se a bonecas russas cósmicas. Acrescentou que, para ela, a psilocibina pode abrir caminho para uma realidade diferente, sem as limitações de suas crenças pessoais, emoções e passado.

In a newsletter released in October, Means mentioned using psychedelics to help her "find love at 35." She wrote about "experiences with plant medicine under trustworthy guides" to get ready for a relationship, adding a mushroom emoji. She made it clear she wasn't advising others to do the same.

Em um artigo recente sobre suas propostas para a área da saúde, Means expressou o desejo de melhorar a qualidade da alimentação nas escolas e defendeu a inclusão de avisos em produtos ultraprocessados. Além disso, solicitou investigações sobre a segurança das vacinas e a eliminação de conflitos de interesse. Embora não tenha mencionado explicitamente os psicodélicos, Means apontou a falta de incentivo para pesquisas sobre "medicamentos genéricos, naturais e terapias não patenteáveis", defendendo que uma parcela dos recursos para pesquisa seja destinada a abordagens alternativas para a saúde.

Calley Means also supported the use of psychedelic drugs, stating in a 2021 blog post that his first experience with psilocybin occurred during a difficult period in his life and that it was "the most meaningful experience of my life – personally, professionally, and spiritually." In 2022, he mentioned that he had "sold all of my 401k" to invest in shares of two companies involved in the development and research of psychedelics. He did not respond to requests for comment.

The confirmation hearing for Casey Means hasn't been scheduled yet. Trump nominated Means after concerns arose about the background of his first choice for Surgeon General, former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat, leading to the withdrawal of her nomination.