Senator Collins Questions Surgeon General Nominee on Past Statements on Psychedelic Drug Use, Fraudulent Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, at a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Dr. Casey Means, nominee to serve as Surgeon General, about her past statements regarding psychedelic drug use and comments she made characterizing certain NIH-funded Alzheimer's research as "fraudulent."

Q&A on Psychedelic Drugs

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download

Senator Collins:

"Welcome, Dr. Means. Addiction and drug overdoses are a major problem for families and communities in my state of Maine and across the nation. I am concerned that in your book, Good Energy, that you urge readers to consider psilocybin-assisted therapy. You also said that you were inspired to try psychedelics, "in what I can only describe as an internal voice that whispered, 'it's time to prepare.'" Illicit drug use remains a huge problem in this country. And this didn't happen in your teen years. According to your book, in 2021, you began using illicit psychedelic mushrooms. So, my questions to you are twofold: One, do you stand by what you said in your book encouraging people 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?"

Dr. Means:

"Thank you so much, Senator Collins. And I also thank you sincerely for engaging so deeply with my work and learning about me. 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 than what I would say as a public health official-joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate absolutely the best evidence-based science to the American people to keep them safe, thriving and healthy.

"And when it comes to psychedelic therapy for mental health issues, I think the science is still emerging. And 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's some of the most promising and exciting of their entire careers. So, I look forward to following that, but to be very clear, under no circumstances would I recommend that to the American people in this role. Our illicit drug use problem in our country is monumental and severe, and I look forward to working with you on these issues that are so important."

Senator Collins:

"What did you mean by saying that you heard an internal voice whispering to you, saying, 'it's time to prepare'?"

Dr. Means:

"Yeah, in that passage of the book I'm referring to my mother's passing, which happened, she got a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer about a week after that experience. In my meditations and prayers at that time, I was having a deep sense that something ominous was coming. And so, that's what that's referring to. I think when I speak of spirituality, and you know, I do believe Americans are ready to hear about spirituality as it pertains to medicine. 80% of Americans are spiritual or religious. There's amazing evidence coming out of Columbia University, the lab of Dr. Lisa Miller, that spirituality has a large impact on health outcomes. And, you know, so certainly, that's a personal anecdote. But, you know, again, I'm committed to sharing only the best, solid science with Americans on how to be healthy."

Senator Collins:

"I understand totally what you're saying about spirituality, and I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. It's the link to illicit drugs that I'm having a hard time with."

Q&A on Alzheimer's Research

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download

Senator Collins:

"I have very little time left, so I want to go to another issue, and that is in the staff interview, when you were talking about wasteful spending, you referred specifically to money that NIH spent on Alzheimer's research that 'proved to be fraudulent.' You were referring to the amyloid plaque research replication issue that was discussed in the New York Times. That story, however, has been largely debunked and countered.

"So, I just want to make sure that I know for certain whether you are for vigorous research, looking at a wide variety of factors, when it comes to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias?"

Dr. Means:

"Unquestionably, full-throatedly, yes. This is one of the most devastating diseases facing Americans today. It's one that I'm very passionate about, particularly in light of research showing that early-onset Alzheimer's dementia in as early as the 50s, is starting to rise at a significant rate. I believe that we need to be studying, like you said, all the different medical, genetic, lifestyle, environmental factors that can be contributing to this.

"And when I look at the research that, you know, some of the research that I'm very excited to elevate in the conversation, if I'm confirmed, I'd point to The Lancet study from 2024 about the modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia, which I'm sure you're familiar with, which showed that with 14 modifiable factors, we could reduce 45% of Alzheimer's dementia cases-this is incredible. This isn't really the type of research that we've been hearing from the medical community. We hear a lot about drugs. We hear a lot about interventions that slow decline once we're sick, but that's the type of research like from The Lancet-a major medical journal-that I really look forward to elevating and supporting further research like that, that can really help Americans be empowered to prevent this disease when we can."

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