Wolf's interest in physics began as a child when he viewed a newsreel depicting the world's first atomic explosion. Wolf received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from UCLA in 1963 and began researching the field of high atmospheric particle behavior following a nuclear explosion.

Dr. Wolf has appeared as the resident physicist on the Discovery Channel program The Know Zone, was a participant in the PBS series Closer to Truth, and has appeared on radio talk shows and television shows across the United States and abroad. Wolf also appeared in the films What the#$*! Do We Know!? (2004), The Secret (2006) and Spirit Space (2008). He has lectured on subjects related to quantum physics and consciousness since the 1960s, often under the name Dr. Quantum or Captain Quantum[1]. He is also featured in the documentary about the Dalai Lama entitled Dalai Lama Renaissance,.

His book "Taking the Quantum Leap: The New Physics for Nonscientists" won the National Book Award as science paperback for 1980 from the National Book Foundation.

Wolf has taught at San Diego State University, the University of Paris, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of London, and Birkbeck College.

Wolf has published a number of books, including:

• Choice Points (with Loren B. Mead & Ruth Libbey) (1980) Alban Institute, 1980
• Space-Time and Beyond (1982, with Bob Toben and Jack Sarfatti) Paperback by Bantam; (July 1, 1983) ISBN 055326656X, ISBN 978-0553266566
• Mind and the New Physics (1985) Heinemann ISBN 0434877700, 9780434877706
• Taking the Quantum Leap: The New Physics for Nonscientists (1982) Harper Perennial (Revised edition January 25, 1989) ISBN 0060963107, ISBN 978-0060963101
• Star Wave: Mind, Consciousness and Quantum Physics (1984) Harper Perennial (Revised edition January 25, 1989) ISBN 0060963107, ISBN 978-0060963101
• The Body Quantum: The New Physics of Body, Mind and Health (1986) Macmillan Pub Co ISBN 0026308908, ISBN 978-0026308908
• Parallel Universes: The Search for Other Worlds (1988) Simon & Schuster (Reprint edition February 15, 1990) ISBN 0671696017, ISBN 978-0671696016
• The Eagle's Quest: A Physicist's Search for Truth in the Heart of the Shamanic World (1991) Touchstone (Reprint edition November 1, 1992) ISBN 0671792911, ISBN 978-0671792916
• The Dreaming Universe : A Mind-Expanding Journey Into the Realm Where Psyche and Physics Meet (1994) Simon & Schuster ISBN 0671749463, ISBN 978-0671749460
• The Spiritual Universe: One Physicists Vision of Spirit, Soul, Matter, and Self (1996) Published by Simon & Schuster. (Moment Point Press; 2Rev Ed edition October 1, 1998) ISBN 0966132718, ISBN 978-0966132717
• Mind into Matter: A New Alchemy of Science and Spirit (2000) Moment Point Press ISBN 0966132769, ISBN 978-0966132762
• Matter Into Feeling: A New Alchemy of Science and Spirit (2002) Moment Point Press ISBN 193049100X, 9781930491007
• The Yoga of Time Travel: How the Mind Can Defeat Time (2004) Quest Books ISBN 083560828X, ISBN 978-0835608282
• The Little Book of BLEEPS by William Arntz and Betsy Chasse (November 2004) (Wolf contributor/interviewed) Captured Light Distribution ISBN 0976107406, ISBN 978-0976107408
• Dr. Quantum's Little Book of Big Ideas: Where Science Meets Spirit (2005) Moment Point Press ISBN 1930491085, ISBN 978-1930491083
• What the BLEEP Do We Know!? - Discovering the Endless Possibilities For Altering Your Everyday Reality by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse & Mark Vincente (November 1, 2005) (Wolf contributor/interviewed) HCI ISBN 075730334X, ISBN 978-0757303340
• Dr. Quantum in the Grandfather Paradox (with Etan Boritzer) (2007) Elora Media ISBN 0978681339, ISBN 9780978681333