What does video game production, podcast hosting, and toxicology research have in common? The answer: New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) Fellow Adam Blumenberg, MD.
An associate professor of emergency medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Blumenberg is a New York City native who has passions that extend beyond the laboratory and clinical settings. He produced a murder-mystery video game called ‘The Time Traveling Toxicologist’ and the podcast ‘Toxic History!’ which chronicles the history of poison.
At first glance, these endeavors might appear only loosely connected. However, Dr. Blumenberg has a passion for informing the public about poison and its everyday risks, whether he is working his day job or creating informative and entertaining multimedia productions.
Poison at the Intersections of Human Health
As an emergency physician and a medical toxicologist, Dr. Blumenberg doesn’t simply clock in and out of the office. His passion for all things toxicology shines when he talks about the subject.
Dr. Blumenberg said that on a cellular level, toxicology appears mechanical. On an even deeper molecular level, he said researchers can understand how treatments work to prevent poisons from harming or killing a human. However, Dr. Blumenberg’s interest in toxicology goes beyond scientific research.
“On another level, it’s very interesting how toxicology relates to our society and history. As an example, a toxic substance like asbestos was put in homes throughout the country, throughout the world for many, many decades because for a long period of history, fires were a much bigger risk to human health,” he explained in conversation with NYAM, citing famous fires in U.S. history, such as the great Chicago Fire of 1871. “A few years later we started to realize asbestos is a carcinogen. This is causing massive health problems for people. But now it’s in so many people’s homes. So now, what do we do? That kind of shift in understanding of toxic substances and our shift in how we regulate them has also been very interesting to me.
The Time Traveling Toxicologist
From the tabletop to the computer screen, Dr. Blumenberg also enjoys recreational gaming. After speaking with a friend and colleague who is a fellow avid gamer, they brainstormed how to implement toxicology into an educational and entertaining game. Something that he stressed was the importance of making the game accessible to a casual gaming audience and seasoned gamers alike. Everything from the story’s plot to physical gaming mechanics was considered.
“We started by making an escape room where we had some space and put together some puzzles. Then, we realized we could turn this into a point-and-click computer game, sort of similar to the Nancy Drew series of computer games, and created this game where the player plays the role of a time traveling toxicologist,” Dr. Blumenberg explained, invoking the name of his video game in which players investigate a murder-by-poisoning with the intention of traveling through time to save the victim’s life.
‘The Time Traveling Toxicologist’ is packaged to demonstrate how a diagnosis and poisoning management works. Players learn about these aspects of being a toxicologist simply through the game’s storyline and gameplay mechanics.
Dr. Blumenberg’s passion for creating an immersive video game and an intriguing podcast about toxicology is not mere coincidence—it’s born from his deep knowledge accumulated over years of schooling and practical experience.
Toxicology’s Real-Life Implications
While Dr. Blumenberg has shared his passion for toxicology through a video game and podcast production, he knows better than most that poison is a very real risk in our daily lives. On a typical day, Columbia University Medical Center’s emergency department will see anywhere from two to 300 patients.
Dr. Blumenberg said that ultimately, toxicology involves mitigating risks. For example, our society needs cars for transportation and the shipment of goods, among other things—nevertheless, operating a car and being on the road are not without significant risks. However, Dr. Blumenberg warned that there are highly toxic substances that exist in a legal grey area in New York City.
“One example is a substance called kratom, which is an opioid that can be legally sold, purchased, (and) used. It’s in the same substance family as heroin, it is addictive and it can kill people,” he warned. A February 2026 publication in Columbia University’s Science and Technology Law Review elaborated on Kratom’s regulatory gaps, noting it can affect someone like coffee or an opioid based on the dosage. “What can trip people up is sometimes we see objects for sale at a store, and we assume that because they’re for sale that they’re safe. They’re not necessarily.”
Dr. Blumenberg even provided nuance for substances that are legal, such as THC, the chemical in marijuana responsible for its psychological effects. He expressed that though he thinks consenting adults should be able to use marijuana products, there can be confusion at a convenience store when a drink with 50 milligrams of THC is next to standard energy drinks, creating confusion for consumers.
Dr. Blumenberg: New York Academy of Medicine Fellow
The historic library at New York Academy of Medicine holds many treasures. Luckily for the academy, and for Dr. Blumenberg, a timely bond formed when he was seeking materials concerning radium cures in the early 20th century. After reaching out to various archivists and librarians, he emailed Arlene Shaner, the historical collections librarian at NYAM. Shaner explained to him that our library had several of the original pamphlets that were used for marketing Radithor, a patented medicine.
Dr. Blumenberg said being a fellow has introduced him to a community of peers where he has access to rare items related to his medical history research.
“As someone who loves the history of medicine, New York Academy of Medicine is one of the finest places in the world to access primary-source materials like original drug monographs, books, and advertisements that bring that history to life,” he said. “NYAM is also a community: programs like History of Medicine Night create rare opportunities to connect with people who share your interests, and I’ve already made a new friend and colleague through it.”
We are thankful to Dr. Blumenberg for sharing his insight and time with our wider NYAM community. Our Fellows are NYAM’s lifeblood whose tireless work informs, accelerates research, and empowers healthier, longer lives for all.