En un libro reciente, el nuevo candidato de Trump para cirujano general sugirió que la gente valore el uso de drogas psicodélicas no probadas como terapia; además, en un boletín informativo, afirmó que su consumo de hongos le facilitó encontrar pareja.

Dr. Casey Means's suggestion to think about psilocybin-assisted therapy is interesting, especially since psilocybin is illegal under federal law. It's classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it 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 banned it.

El papel del Cirujano General es ofrecer a los ciudadanos estadounidenses la información científica más actualizada para mejorar su salud y disminuir el riesgo de enfermedades y lesiones. Históricamente, otros Cirujanos Generales han aprovechado este cargo para concienciar sobre temas de salud pública como el SIDA y la prevención del suicidio. Un ejemplo claro es la advertencia que lanzó el Cirujano General en 1964 sobre los riesgos del tabaco, que contribuyó a modificar la salud pública en Estados Unidos.

Some individuals, like Dr. C. Everett Koop, who served as Surgeon General under Ronald Reagan, gained considerable recognition and significantly influenced policy, whereas others remained largely unnoticed.

Means's nomination reflects Trump's tendency to choose people based on their public image rather than their political stances. In Means's case, the Republican president stated he selected her solely on the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump said, "Bobby thought she was fantastic," adding that he didn't know her personally.

Means, who studied at Stanford University, starting with her bachelor's degree and later medicine, began a medical residency in Oregon but didn't finish it. Her medical license is currently inactive. When contacted by phone, Means declined to comment.

He suggested using psychedelics in his 2024 book, "Good Energy," co-written with his brother, Calley Means, a businessman who advises the Trump administration on health and has stated he has invested in psychedelic drug companies.

A significant portion of the book explores metabolic health, which Casey Means refers to as "good energy." It proposes strategies to help individuals "manage and address stressors, traumas, and limiting thought patterns that contribute to poor metabolic health and reduced well-being."

One such approach involves "exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy," referring to the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. He elaborates on his perspective on this topic in a 750-word passage.

"He encourages those who feel a calling to consider structured psilocybin therapy, citing strong scientific evidence that suggests this psychedelic treatment can be a profoundly meaningful experience, as it has been for him."

While some studies hint at potential benefits of psychedelics, it's not proven they outweigh the dangers. Psilocybin can cause hours of hallucinations, which might be pleasant or frightening. Combined with therapy, it's been explored as a treatment for mental health issues and alcohol dependence, but there's limited research on healthy individuals. Side effects can include increased heart rate, nausea, and headaches. Using it without supervision is risky, as hallucinations could lead to dangerous behaviour.

Means wrote that psilocybin and other psychedelics have been unfairly stigmatized. She also highlighted the potential benefits of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in helping individuals cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently declined to approve MDMA as a PTSD therapy after an advisory panel raised concerns about flaws in the research and significant risks associated with its use.

Means mentions in her book that she considers psychedelics to be "plant medicine." She recounts her first experience with mushrooms around January 1, 2021, explaining that she felt inspired by "an inner voice that whispered: it's time to get ready."

"She wrote that she felt like part of an endless chain of cosmic Russian dolls, of countless mothers and babies throughout history, adding that, in her experience, 'psilocybin can offer a glimpse into a different reality, free from the limiting beliefs of my ego, emotions, and personal experiences.'"

In a newsletter released in October, Means stated she had also used psychedelics to help her "make room to find love at 35." She wrote that she had "experiences with plant-based medicine alongside trusted guides" to prepare for a relationship, ending the comment with a mushroom emoji. She noted that she wasn't necessarily suggesting others do the same.

In a recent article outlining her healthcare policy wishes for the White House, Means expressed her desire for more nutritious school meals, suggested warning labels on highly processed foods, called for vaccine safety research, and proposed eliminating conflicts of interest. While she didn't explicitly mention psychedelics, she noted that researchers have little incentive to study "generic, natural, and non-patentable drugs and therapies," and suggested allocating a portion of research budgets to alternative health approaches.

Calley Means has also spoken in favour of using psychedelic drugs. In a 2021 blog post, he wrote that he first tried psilocybin during a challenging time in his life and described it as "the most meaningful experience of my life — personally, professionally, and spiritually." In 2022, he stated that he had "sold all of my 401k" to invest in two companies focused on developing and researching psychedelics. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Casey Means is yet to have her confirmation hearing scheduled. Her nomination came after questions arose about the background of Trump's initial choice for surgeon general, Janette Nesheiwat, a former medical contributor for Fox News, whose nomination was eventually withdrawn.