Casey Means' Best-Selling Book 'Good Energy' Sparks Controversy Ahead of Surgeon General Nomination

The wellness influencer's book covers topics like mitochondrial dysfunction, 'plant medicine,' and vaccine safety, drawing scrutiny from Senate panel.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Casey Means, a former physician turned wellness influencer, is the best-selling author of 'Good Energy,' a book that covers a wide range of health and wellness topics. As Means faces a Senate confirmation hearing for the Surgeon General nomination, her book has come under intense scrutiny, with the panel grilling her on controversial ideas presented in the work, including the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy and questioning vaccine safety.

Why it matters

Means' nomination as Surgeon General has brought increased attention to the ideas and recommendations presented in her popular book 'Good Energy.' As a potential top public health official, Means' views on sensitive topics like vaccines and alternative therapies are being closely examined, sparking debate around the appropriate role of a Surgeon General and the influence of wellness influencers in public health discussions.

The details

In 'Good Energy,' Means suggests that the root cause of several ailments may lie in mitochondrial dysfunction and 'bad energy inside your body.' The book outlines a four-week plan to optimize cellular energy, including strategies for managing stress, trauma, and negative thought patterns. One of Means' more controversial recommendations is the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy, which she refers to as 'plant medicine.' During the Senate hearing, Means defended her personal experience with psilocybin, stating that it came amid her mother's cancer diagnosis and provided a 'deep sense that something ominous was coming.' The book also delves into strategies for improving metabolic health, questioning vaccine safety, and observing spiritual warnings.

  • On February 25, 2026, Casey Means faced a Senate confirmation hearing for the Surgeon General nomination.
  • Means' book 'Good Energy' was published prior to the hearing and has been a best-seller.

The players

Casey Means

A former physician turned wellness influencer who is the best-selling author of 'Good Energy' and is currently facing a Senate confirmation hearing for the Surgeon General nomination.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

An environmental activist who Means' brother advises on the 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign.

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What they’re saying

“I felt myself as part of an infinite and unbroken series of cosmic nesting dolls of millions of mothers and babies before me from the beginning of life. Psilocybin can be a doorway to a different reality that is free from the limiting beliefs of my ego, feelings, and personal history.”

— Casey Means, Author (New York Post)

“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.”

— Casey Means, Author (New York Post)

What’s next

The Senate panel will continue to scrutinize Means' background and the ideas presented in her book 'Good Energy' as they consider her nomination for Surgeon General.

The takeaway

Casey Means' nomination as Surgeon General has brought increased attention to the controversial ideas and recommendations presented in her best-selling book 'Good Energy,' sparking debate around the appropriate role of a Surgeon General and the influence of wellness influencers in public health discussions.