Over the course of my career, I’m not sure that I have seen any substance surrounded by more controversy than cannabis, commonly known as marijuana. While it has been used for recreational, spiritual and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, over the past few decades, there has been a significant shift in terms of its acceptability, accessibility and potency. While many people use it safely for recreational and medicinal purposes, there are several potential risks associ

Introduction: One of the most common questions I hear from patients (and at dinner parties) is: What are the best ways to keep our brains healthy as we age, prevent cognitive decline and avoid dementia? Fortunately, there are some well-established ways to promote brain health and some newer studies that point to intriguing ways to build on these core strategies. Because tons of new data are being released all the time, I've decided to update this post with the latest informat

As I sit here on the coldest day of the season so far and reflect on many of the people I know who struggle with winter’s impact, I happened to come across this article in the New York Times about thriving this time of year . After taking my dog for a walk and enjoying a bit of friluftsliv (more on that below), I am now sitting in front of a sunny window enjoying a warm cup of coffee and a bit of hygge (more on that below as well) to write about the scientific evidence and wi

Even though the book Anxiety Rx  by Dr. Russell Kennedy was first published several years ago, the second edition was released in late 2024 and given how much this book has changed my practice and changed my life personally, I decided to name it my book of the year for 2025. Anxiety Rx is a unique and insightful exploration of the root causes of anxiety and offers a new, holistic approach to treating it. Dr. Kennedy, a physician who has personally experienced life-long anxiet

Recently, I got to experience one of the greatest gifts living in northern Vermont has to offer. On a 70 degree September day, a friend and I took a couple boats out to a local lake and rowed out to an island. For the next few hours, we did nothing but sat on the shore, watched the sunlight cascading over the water, listened to the lapping of the waves and delighted in the warm breeze wafting over us. For the next several days I felt more peaceful and relaxed. This led me to

Smartphones have transformed modern life — putting work, friends, entertainment, and news into our pockets. But along with the benefits has come an undeniable cost that I see every day both personally and in my work with patients: our ability to focus, regulate mood, and feel mentally present all suffer when our use of technology becomes excessive. A growing body of psychology and neuroscience research warns that our constant interaction with screens is reshaping how we think

Of all the potential issues associated with stress, medical and psychiatric challenges, insomnia may be the most pervasive and distressing. No wonder that so many of us will do anything to help ourselves sleep better when it starts to slip. For many, that means taking a medication or substance that might help sleep, but quite often, these agents cause more problems than they’re worth (more on that later) Fortunately, there are treatments out there that are readily available,

While it was technically released in December 2023, I have decided that "How Not to Age" by Dr. Michael Greger is my book of the year for 2024. That might be because, given its sheer size and density of information, I am still making my way through it here in 2025. It’s taken me that long to wade through the voluminous research located not only in the pages of the book but in the many ancillary videos and references included in it. I first encountered Dr. Greger at the nation

As many people wrap up their “Dry January”, I have been reflecting on new data and related recommendations when it comes to drinking alcohol. This is even more relevant given changes in drinking patterns that we've seen over the past few years, especially during the COVID pandemic where an increase in drinking was seen among both men and women and across all race and ethnic groups as was found in this study .  In 2022, 69.3% of Americans reported some alcohol consumption in t

While not all of us are going to live to 100, we can all increase our odds of leading longer, healthier lives by making some simple lifestyle choices. A groundbreaking study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine  shows that even for those who are genetically predisposed to die younger, small but impactful adjustments to daily habits can add years to our lives. In fact, the study revealed that those who adopted healthy behaviors could extend their life expectancy by as much

Friends, family and patients know that I am a big fan of books that explore the human experience and offer ways to improve our lives. Some of these could be categorized as “self-help” and some don’t necessarily fit that genre but still offer helpful knowledge and wisdom. I hope to use this space to share titles that I have found particularly enlightening or helpful, with the focus on those that have the potential for greatest impact. When thinking of which book I would start

Introduction: More and more, I’m finding that the pursuit of optimal health, not just the remediation of health problems, has become a paramount goal for my patients and those around me. I’m heartened that the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) stands at the forefront, championing a holistic approach to healthcare and a healthier and more sustainable future. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the ACLM Conference, an immersive experience that not only broade

Introduction We've all heard the advice to aim for 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, but what if I told you that you could reap significant benefits with fewer steps? Exercise scientists may have long ago debunked the myth that you need to hit that magic 10,000 number to stay healthy and live longer, but until now it wasn’t clear how many steps were needed for maximum benefit. The answer is, literally and figuratively, heartening. The Study: Small Steps = Big Benefits In

Introduction For years, researchers have explored the connection between our diet and our mental health and that connection is now clearer than ever. The gut microbiome, comprising trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms are continuously affected by what we eat and drink and they appear to play a crucial role in influencing our mood and mental well-being. While this connection has long been postulated, large-scale human studies to pinpoint the specific organisms

Introduction In the world we live in today, convenience and cost often takes precedence over health when it comes to food choices. Ultra processed foods, including most packaged foods, frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals, and a range of snacks, have become staples in many diets. They're designed to taste delicious and easy to grab on the go, but could they be taking a toll on our cognitive health? Recent research suggests a concerning link between ultra processed foods and cogni

Introduction Depression remains one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and causing significant suffering and disability. While traditional treatments such as medication and psychotherapy are commonly used to address depression, recent research has bolstered the idea that exercise can also be a powerful antidote to depression. A groundbreaking meta-analysis conducted by Schuch et al. (2021) explored the impact of exercis

Several years ago, my esteemed former colleague and supervisor Dr. Sandra Steingard wrote a blog on the website Mad in America titled "Why I Don't Do Med Checks" (which can be found here ). In this article, Sandy does a wonderful job describing her philosophy about her approach to psychiatric practice. This philosophy is one that she and I shared over the 15 or so years that I had the pleasure of working with her and one that I continue to hold today. I encourage readers to f

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." -Yogi Berra As someone who has a love for learning and sharing information with others, and after talking about writing a blog for years, I've decided that it's finally time to put my thoughts into a more permanent and organized space. Over the years, as I have come across research, popular articles, books, and podcasts I've always been eager to share them with colleagues, friends and patients with each conversation leaving a la