Donald Trump's presidential prerogative extended to the nomination of a novel candidate for Deputy Surgeon General, whose recent publication advocates for the consideration of unproven hallucinogenic pharmaceuticals as therapeutic modalities, and whose newsletter further posits that psilocybin consumption facilitated the acquisition of a romantic partner.

Dr. Casey Means' advocacy for exploring guided psilocybin therapy has garnered considerable attention, not least due to psilocybin's status as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, a classification denoting substances with "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse;" notwithstanding, Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic-assisted therapy, albeit with subsequent municipal prohibitions in certain Oregonian localities.

The Deputy Surgeon General's remit encompasses disseminating to the American populace the most robust scientific data obtainable concerning health optimization and the mitigation of disease and injury risks; previous incumbents have leveraged this platform to enlighten citizens on critical public health imperatives such as AIDS and suicide prevention, with the 1964 Surgeon General's advisory on the deleterious effects of tobacco use proving instrumental in reshaping the trajectory of American public health.

Individuals such as Dr. C. Everett Koop, the Surgeon General under President Ronald Reagan, achieved lasting renown for their indelible impact on policy, whereas others rapidly faded into the mists of public amnesia.

The nomination of Means, echoing a Trumpian pattern, prioritizes celebrity and public image over substantive policy alignment; in Means's case, the Republican president openly admitted selecting her solely on the recommendation of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – "Bobby thinks she's fantastic," Trump declared, disavowing any prior acquaintance with her – highlighting a predilection for superficial endorsements over considered evaluation of expertise and ideological compatibility.

Means, a Stanford alumna with degrees in both arts and medicine, commenced but did not conclude a medical internship in Oregon, subsequently rendering her license inactive; when reached for comment, Means demurred, citing the sensitivity of her professional record.

In her 2024 co-authored book, "Good Energy," she proffered recommendations regarding hallucinogens, a point of contention given her brother, Calley Means—an entrepreneur currently ensconced within the Trump administration as a health advisor and avowed investor in pharmaceutical firms specializing in psychedelic compounds—raises potential conflicts of interest.

The book predominantly addresses metabolic health, or what Casey Means terms "optimized bioenergetics," and posits a range of strategies designed to enable individuals to "mitigate and remediate the stressors, traumas, and restrictive cognitive schemas that underpin suboptimal metabolic function and impede personal growth."

One such strategic avenue involves "considering psilocybin-assisted therapy," a reference to the psychoactive compound inherent in certain fungi; her elaborations on this subject were subsequently articulated in a protracted, 750-word exegesis.

"Should you discern within yourself a vocation, I would equally advocate for a purposeful exploration of guided psilocybin therapy," she penned. "Compelling scientific evidence intimates that this entheogenic modality may constitute one of life's most profoundly meaningful experiences for certain individuals, as it has indubitably proven to be for myself."

While extant research tentatively suggests certain salutary effects stemming from the utilization of hallucinogenic substances, the extant evidence remains insufficient to unequivocally demonstrate that these putative benefits outweigh the inherent risks; specifically, psilocybin's capacity to induce protracted hallucinatory states, which may manifest as either euphoric or profoundly disturbing, necessitates circumspect evaluation. Although, when integrated within a framework of supervised psychotherapy, it has been investigated as a potential therapeutic modality for select psychiatric disorders and recalcitrant alcoholism, empirical inquiry into its effects on neurologically and psychologically normative individuals remains exiguous. Furthermore, potential adverse reactions, encompassing but not limited to tachycardia, emesis, and cephalalgia, warrant careful consideration. Unsupervised or recreational ingestion carries significant inherent perils, as hallucinatory distortions may precipitate compromised judgment, leading to hazardous behaviors such as inadvertent vehicular engagement or exposure to other potentially life-threatening situations.

Means đã luận bàn về sự kỳ thị bủa vây psilocybin và các chất gây ảo giác khác, đồng thời tán dương những lợi ích tiềm tàng của MDMA, thường được biết đến với tên ecstasy hoặc molly, trong việc hỗ trợ điều trị cho những bệnh nhân mắc chứng rối loạn căng thẳng hậu травматического (PTSD), mặc dù Cục Quản lý Thực phẩm và Dược phẩm năm ngoái đã bác bỏ đề xuất phê duyệt MDMA như một liệu pháp điều trị PTSD sau khi một hội đồng cố vấn kết luận rằng các nghiên cứu hiện hành còn nhiều bất cập về методологии và tiềm ẩn những rủi ro đáng kể về mặt sức khỏe.

In her literary work, the author obliquely alludes to hallucinogenic substances, euphemistically terming them "botanical medicaments," and recounts her inaugural experience with psilocybin mushrooms circa January 1st, 2021, catalyzed by what she describes as an internal prompter whispering, "Tempus praeparationis advenit."

"Tôi tự nhận thức được mình như một mắt xích trong chuỗi liên tục, bất tận của những búp bê Matryoshka vũ trụ, nối dài từ vô số bà mẹ và hài nhi tiền nhân kể từ buổi bình minh của nhân loại," bà viết, đồng thời khẳng định dựa trên kinh nghiệm cá nhân rằng "psilocybin có khả năng khơi mở một cánh cổng dẫn đến một thực tại khác biệt, vượt lên trên những định kiến hạn hẹp của bản ngã, những trói buộc cảm xúc và biên niên sử cá nhân."

In an October missive, Means disclosed her adjunctive use of hallucinogens to cultivate a receptive psychic landscape conducive to amorosity at 35, elaborating that she had "undertaken entheogenic experiences with trusted guides" in preparation for relational engagement, appending a fungal emoji as a knowing wink, whilst astutely disclaiming any blanket endorsement of said practices.

In a recent op-ed outlining her desiderata for White House healthcare policy, Means articulated a vision encompassing the provision of superiorly nutritious school meals, the implementation of salient warning labels on heavily processed comestibles, a comprehensive investigation into vaccine safety protocols, and the eradication of conflicts of interest; while conspicuously omitting direct reference to hallucinogens, she posited a systemic disincentive for researchers to investigate "non-patentable, non-proprietary natural medicines and therapies," advocating for the earmarking of research funding towards alternative approaches to healthcare.

Calley Means, an advocate for psychedelic therapeutics, penned a 2021 blog post detailing his inaugural psilocybin experience during a period of personal upheaval, characterizing it as "the most meaningful experience of my life – personally, professionally, and spiritually." Further underscoring his conviction, in 2022 he disclosed divesting his entire 401k portfolio to invest in the burgeoning psychedelic pharmaceutical sector, specifically acquiring shares in two companies engaged in the development and research of hallucinogenic substances; Means remained unresponsive to requests for comment.

The confirmation hearing for Casey Means remains unscheduled, her nomination by Trump following the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat, a former Fox News medical contributor, whose prior suitability for the Surgeon General's deputy role was subject to considerable scrutiny, ultimately leading to the rescission of her candidacy.