Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) had some serious questions for surgeon general nominee Casey Means Wednesday during a Senate hearing over her open use of psychedelics.
Collins raised concerns during the hearing about Means' comments on psychedelic drugs, with the lawmaker citing how "addiction and drugoverdoses are a major problemfor families and communities inmy state of Maine and across thenation."
"I am concerned that in your bookon 'Good Energy' that you urgedreaders to considerpsilocybin-assisted therapy," Collins said. "You also said you were inspiredto try psychedelics and what Ican only describe as an internalvoice that whispered 'it'stime to prepare.' Illicit drug use remains a hugeproblem in this country.This didn't happen in your teenyears.According to your book, in 2021you began using illicitpsychedelic mushrooms.So my questions to you aretwofold.One, do you stand by what yousaid in your book encouragingpeople to try psychedelics? And second, as surgeon general, should you be confirmed, how would you speak to the American people about the use of illicit drugs?"
Means described her experience and explained that she had used it for personal and spiritual purposes, acknowledging that illicit drug use remains a serious problem across the US.
"This is a very important question, and I would start by just saying that I believe what I would say as a private citizen is in many cases different from what I would say as a public health official," Means said.
"Joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate the absolute best evidence-based science to the American people to keep them safe, thriving, and healthy," she added. "When it comes to psychedelic therapy for mental health issues, I think the science is still emerging. So it would certainly not be a recommendation to the American people to do that, under no circumstances. I do believe that there is exciting work being done in this area that needs to continue on psychedelic therapies for PTSD in veterans, for mental health issues. And some of the researchers who are doing this work have said it is the most promising and exciting of their entire career. I look forward to following that, but to be clear, under no circumstances would I recommend that to the American people in this role."
Collins again pressed her on what she meant by a voice saying "it's time to prepare" in her book.
"In that passageof the book I'm referring to mymother's passing, which happened — she got a diagnosis ofpancreatic cancer about a weekafter that experience," Means said. "In my meditations and prayers atthat time I was having a deepsense that something ominous wascoming.That is what that is referringto.I think when I speak ofspirituality, I do believe Americans are ready to hear aboutspirituality as it pertains tomedicine,80% of Americans are spiritualor religious.There is amazing evidence out of Columbia University, the lab of Dr. Lisa Miller, thatspirituality has a large impacton health outcomes.Certainly that is a personalanecdote, but I come again, andcommitted to sharing only thebest, solid signs with Americanson how to be healthy."