President Trump's pick for surgeon general has sparked conversations about alternative therapies after disclosing her personal experiences with psychedelic mushrooms.
According to the New York Post, Dr. Casey Means, a 37-year-old former political lobbyist turned wellness influencer, credited her use of psilocybin mushrooms in 2021 with helping her create space to find love at age 35.
The Stanford-educated doctor detailed her journey with psychedelics in both her October 2024 newsletter and the book "Good Energy," which she co-authored with her brother Calley. In these publications, she described guided psilocybin experiences as transformative, suggesting they could help others manage stress and trauma.
Means approached psychedelic therapy after feeling an internal calling. She documented profound experiences during her sessions, describing feelings of cosmic connection and liberation from limiting beliefs.
Her writings reveal a careful approach to the controversial therapy. While sharing her positive outcomes, she acknowledged that her experience might not be universal and emphasized the importance of working with trusted guides.
The wellness influencer's advocacy for psychedelic therapy comes at a time when some states have begun legalizing such treatments. Oregon and Colorado currently permit psychedelic therapy despite psilocybin's federal classification as a Schedule 1 drug.
The nomination marks a significant shift in Trump's healthcare appointments. The president announced Means as his choice after withdrawing Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination for the position.
Trump expressed confidence in Means' capabilities through his Truth Social platform. He highlighted her alignment with his "Make America Healthy Again" initiative and her planned collaboration with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The timing of Means' confirmation hearing remains uncertain. Her medical background includes degrees from Stanford University, though her medical license is currently inactive after an incomplete residency in Oregon.
Means expressed strong support for psilocybin therapy in her book, stating:
If you feel called, I also encourage you to explore intentional, guided psilocybin therapy. Strong scientific evidence suggests that this psychedelic therapy can be one of the most meaningful experiences of life for some people, as they have been for me.
Federal regulators maintain that psilocybin, found in over 200 mushroom species, has no accepted medical applications and carries high abuse potential. However, this stance contrasts with growing state-level acceptance and emerging research into psychedelic therapies.
Dr. Casey Means faces scrutiny as Trump's latest surgeon general nominee. Her unconventional background combines Stanford medical education with wellness influence and advocacy for alternative therapies, including supervised psychedelic experiences.
The nomination comes as part of broader changes in Trump's healthcare leadership team, with Means expected to work alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address chronic disease concerns. Her confirmation process will likely examine both her medical credentials and her public statements about alternative therapies.
