just the tonic, please

science-backed psychology + health + wellness for women who already fact-check everything.

Jul 10, 2025

The Tonic

I’m interested in science-backed wellness.

With so much misinformation and disinformation circulating around wellness products and health trends, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

I write about emerging technologies, products, and tools that support long-term health and happiness.

I dive into scientific studies and translate, to the best of my ability, academic jargon into accessible insights in plain English.

Beyond the stuff we already know—eat your greens, get your steps, and spend quality time with friends and family—I look at new (& sometimes old) wellness concepts to explain how things work based upon credible academic research, wherever possible.

Jack Penny

Who This Is For

You’ll enjoy this if if you’re the type to endlessly query strange health terms in your search bar, dive into online forums about niche personal issues, or are just deeply curious about the latest in sleep, nutrition, fitness, beauty, behavioral psychology, and cognitive performance.

My small goal: Help you gain access to new information about your mind and body, discover tools that might genuinely improve your life, and distinguish science from hype.

I believe everyone should be empowered by knowledge, not coerced by it, so I’ll never cast judgement on a particular approach. Everyone is different.

Instead, I’ll do my best to dig deeply into different subjects and provide you with the most informed position I possibly can alongside additional sources that you can look through in greater detail.

What It Offers

I write pieces that delve into particular topics in detail, generally starting with the basics of how things work.

Here’s the cadence you can generally expect:

A long-form deep dive every two weeks.
Occasional short pieces on interesting new developments.

Please message me if you’d like to see something covered.

I’m always glad to explore new topics that may have a direct impact on someone’s life (& in general, I’d be honored to be your human personal research assistant).

Who I Am

I studied Biology and Economics in college and my career has bridged both science and business.

I’ve worked in early-stage biotech investing, evaluating innovation in areas like gene therapy and synthetic biology, oftentimes created by startups spinning out of academia.

I’ve also worked in venture creation, forming, advising, and partnering with consumer-facing startups to develop science-backed products, ranging from supplements to skincare.

While I’m not a doctor or nurse, I have a deep respect for science and an insatiable curiosity about the evolving world of health and wellness.

At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to live healthier, more fulfilled lives, so in many ways, I’m creating this as much for myself as I am for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and the information discussed here is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen.