Sebastián Marincolo

He studied philosophy and linguistics in Tübingen, Germany, and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the United States, under the guidance of Manfred Frank, William G. Lycan, and Simon Blackburn—some of the most influential philosophers of their time. He earned his award-winning doctorate in the interdisciplinary fields of neurophilosophy and the philosophy of consciousness.

Driven by a deep interest in the nature of human consciousness and altered states of consciousness, Marincolo has focused extensively on researching the cannabis high and its impact on higher cognitive functions. His work explores areas such as memory, attention, imagination, pattern recognition, introspection, empathy, creativity, and spontaneous insight.

To pursue his research in a field often fraught with stigma, Marincolo has balanced independent work with professional roles as a photographer, creative director, and senior communication consultant for foundations and internationally operating clients. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Germany, as well as Director of Internal Communications for Europe, at the world’s largest cannabis producer at the time. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in advancing the acceptance of medical cannabis across Germany and Europe, ultimately helping tens of thousands of patients gain access to cannabis-based treatments.

Marincolo is the author of five nonfiction books and numerous essays on the mind-altering potential of cannabis. His works have been published by respected publishers such as Klett-Cotta Tropen (Stuttgart, Germany) and Hilaritas Press, the publishing house of Christina Wilson, daughter of Robert Anton Wilson.

He enjoyed a long-standing collaboration and friendship with Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard University and one of the world’s most renowned cannabis experts. Marincolo’s research and cannabis macro-art photography have garnered global media attention, with coverage by SPIEGEL Online, ZDF/3sat, Stuttgarter Zeitung, Hessen 2, SWR1, SWR2, and Deutschlandfunk.

A sought-after speaker at conferences, Marincolo has also been featured as a guest on numerous podcasts, including Joe Dolce’s Brave New Weed Podcast, Aidan McCullen’s Innovation Show, and the TrueLife Podcast.