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Trump's Surgeon General Pick Touts Psychedelics for Health

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 15, 2025.

By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 15, 2025 — President Donald Trump's choice for U.S. surgeon general has raised eyebrows for promoting the use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, in a 2024 book and her personal newsletter.

His choice for the post is wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means, who was recommended by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Means' promotion of psilocybin-assisted therapy is noteworthy because psilocybin is illegal under federal law.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, The Associated Press reported.

Oregon and Colorado have legalized some forms of psychedelic therapy.

Means, who holds degrees from Stanford University, began a medical residency in Oregon but never finished it. Her medical license is inactive, The AP said.

The role of surgeon general? Offer the best science-based advice on public health.

Past surgeons general have addressed concerns like AIDS, smoking and suicide prevention.

Trump said he selected Means for the role because HHS Secretary Kennedy "thought she was fantastic," adding that he, himself, didn't know her.

In her 2024 book "Good Energy," Means encouraged readers to consider "psilocybin-assisted 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,” she wrote.

Means also described her personal experience with psilocybin in 2021.

“Psilocybin can be a doorway to a different reality that is free from the limiting beliefs of my ego, feelings, and personal history,” she wrote.

Means has referred to psychedelics as “plant medicine.” In an October newsletter, she mentioned using psychedelics to help her make “space to find love at 35," The Associated Press reported.

While some research suggests psychedelics may help treat certain mental health conditions, experts warn that the risks are real. Psilocybin can cause hallucinations, nausea, headaches and increased heart rate.

Further, taking the drug unsupervised can be dangerous.

Means also praised MDMA (ecstasy) as a potential therapy for PTSD. However, in 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve MDMA as a treatment because of safety concerns and what it termed poor-quality research.

Means’ brother, Calley Means, a health adviser in the Trump administration, has also spoken about his personal use of psilocybin. He said the experience was life-changing and he later invested heavily in companies developing psychedelic treatments, The Associated Press reported.

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2025

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