About
I'm an author and independent science writer with a B.S in science journalism from the University of Maryland-College Park (cum laude, 1987). My latest book, which Skyhorse Publishing-NY released in 2020, is HEALING WITH CANNABIS (The Evolution of the Endocannabinoid System and How Cannabinoids Help Relieve PTSD, Pain, MS, Anxiety, and More). My first book was TRIPS: How Hallucinogens Work in Your Brain (1998, Seven Stories Press NY). Between books I wrote documentary scripts for the Discovery Channel (with Cronkite Ward & Co.), then worked as a science writer for the State Department (2004-2010) and the Department of Defense (2010-2017). In 2017 I retired from public service and started writing Healing with Cannabis. Now I'm researching a next book on psychedelic medicine.
Featured Work
Healing with Cannabis: The evolution of the endocannabinoid system and how cannabinoids help relieve PTSD, pain, MS, anxiety and more
Healing with Cannabis has two parts. First is a scientific but not too technical story of the endocannabinoid system, a billion-year-old system in vertebrates that allows cannabis to work in the body and brain. But its main role in the body is homeostasis—a state of balance—so it's an essential regulatory mechanism in the basic machinery of everyday life, not just about cannabis. In part 2, about medical cannabis, interviews with some of the best international cannabinoid researchers tell why and how cannabis helps treat PTSD, pain, MS, anxiety, some elements of cancer, and many others. The book also describes clinical trials and has a resources section. This is a beautiful full-color hardcover book; real science with jokes & gags :)
