Trump taps wellness influencer who supports psychedelics for Surgeon General

Former President Donald Trump’s latest pick for U.S. Surgeon General is making headlines—not only for her unconventional medical background, but also for her open support of psychedelic mushrooms.

Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means, a former doctor-turned-wellness guru, following a previous withdrawal, drawing attention for her promotion of plant-based psychedelics and a nontraditional approach to health, the New York Post reported.

Trump announced the nomination of Means, 37, last week on his social media platform, Truth Social. The move came after he decided to pull the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, who had served as the medical director for CityMD. No reason was given for the change in nominee.

In his post, Trump praised Means for her alignment with his health agenda. He wrote that Means had strong “Make America Healthy Again” credentials and would collaborate with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to confront chronic disease and promote national wellness.

New Nominee Has Inactive Medical License and Incomplete Residency

Means earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees from Stanford University. Following graduation, she began a medical residency in Oregon but did not complete the program. As of now, her medical license is marked as inactive.

Though she trained in medicine, Means has transitioned into a wellness influencer role in recent years. She has built a public persona around alternative health practices, including holistic approaches to nutrition, stress management, and mental well-being.

Her unusual background, particularly her shift away from clinical medicine, has fueled conversation around her qualifications for the role of nation’s top public health spokesperson. The Surgeon General traditionally serves as a trusted figure on health issues and leads public health promotion campaigns across the U.S.

Casey Means’ Writings Spotlight Psychedelic Therapy

One of the most controversial elements of Means' platform is her vocal support for psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. Though classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, psilocybin is legal for therapeutic purposes in Oregon and Colorado.

Means has publicly shared her personal experiences with the compound. In an October 2024 online newsletter, she wrote that taking psychedelic mushrooms helped her create “space to find love” at the age of 35 and credited the experience with guiding her self-growth journey.

In her 2024 book “Good Energy,” co-authored with her brother Calley Means, she expanded further on psilocybin therapy. She described it as a powerful tool for managing emotional trauma and stress, calling it a spiritual gateway beyond ego, memories, and learned limitations.

Describes Her Psychedelic Journey as Deeply Emotional

One edited excerpt from the book describes Means experiencing a profound sense of generational connection. She wrote that she felt intertwined with an ancient lineage of mothers and children across time. This type of expression is characteristic of what she calls “plant medicine” journeys.

Means acknowledged that psilocybin use is not for everyone. Still, she wrote that it had been one of the most meaningful things she had experienced and encouraged readers to explore therapeutics under guided, intentional circumstances if they felt drawn to the idea.

Describing the origin of her psilocybin experience, she claimed to have heard what she referred to as an internal message telling her, “It’s time to prepare.” That guidance, she said, served as the spark for her initial encounter with the compound in 2021.

Critics Raise Concerns Over Medical Precedent and Policy

Means' public promotion of a federally banned drug has sparked concern among some observers, given that the Surgeon General post typically require extensive clinical credentials and adherence to evidence-based treatment practices. Her departure from conventional medical pathways may raise challenges during Senate confirmation.

While Oregon and Colorado have taken steps to legalize psychedelic therapy, psilocybin remains illegal under federal regulations. As a Schedule I drug, it is currently viewed by the government as having no approved medical use and a substantial potential for misuse.

Some experts note that advocacy from high-profile figures could influence future drug reclassification efforts, but it is unclear how Means’ stance would be received during a confirmation hearing—or whether such hearings will be scheduled anytime soon.

Brother Holds Government Role, Also Supports Health Policy Reform

Calley Means, co-author of “Good Energy” and Casey Means’ brother, currently serves in a limited government capacity. He is a special government employee with the Department of Health and Human Services.

His role, coupled with their shared entrepreneurial ventures, suggests a possible alignment with broader health policy reform within the Trump-aligned health agenda. However, details about his specific duties within HHS remain limited.

The book they co-wrote advocates for dramatic changes in the way Americans approach wellness, particularly around nutrition, stress, and chronic disease prevention—goals consistent with Trump’s recent health policy messaging.

Confirmation Process Still Pending for High-Profile Health Post

At this time, Means' confirmation hearing has not been scheduled. The Senate's consideration of her nomination will play a central role in determining whether her public health philosophy is compatible with federal leadership expectations.

The nomination places attention not only on Means’ background but also on the broader direction of U.S. public health under a possible second Trump administration. Her perspectives could signal a departure from traditional strategies focused on pharmaceuticals and institutional medical care.

Until her nomination is acted upon, Dr. Casey Means remains a nominee awaiting consideration—one whose approach to wellness, medicine, and psychedelics sets her apart from past Surgeon Generals.