The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

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I have spent twenty years and millions of dollars testing every legal focus drug I could get my hands on. In this video, I break down which compounds actually work, which ones are a waste of money, and the exact stack that delivers hours of clean focus without the afternoon crash.

The shift is simple: focus isn't a willpower problem. It's an energy production problem inside your brain. Once you fuel it at the cellular level, deep focus stops being a struggle and becomes the default state.

Thank you to our sponsors!
ZenBud | Dave’s Nervous System Biohack. Visit zenbud.health and use code DAVE15 at checkout for a discount.
EMR-Tek | https://www.emr-tek.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 40% off.
iRestore | Reverse hair loss at www.irestore.com/DAVE and get exclusive savings on the iRestore Elite, use code DAVE

Timestamps:
0:00 – The Longevity Switch
0:47 – Why Mitochondria Matter
2:28 – What Mitophagy Is
2:46 – How Mitophagy Works
4:18 – What Shuts It Off
8:54 – The Damage Compounds
9:22 – How to Turn It Back On
10:31 – Signal 1: Fasting
11:48 – Signal 2: Exercise (REHIT)
12:30 – Signal 3: Cold Exposure
13:22 – Signal 4: NAD+
14:29 – Signal 5: Urolithin A and Spermidine

Connect with Dave Asprey!

Website: https://daveasprey.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficial
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/
X: https://x.com/daveasprey
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybpr

The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/

Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15
Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com/
Dave Asprey’s New Book - Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
Dave's favorite supplements: https://www.shopsuppgradelabs.com/discount/DAVE15
Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GLP-1 Side Effects, Gut Microbiome & Brain Health, Toxoplasmosis Risks, and the Dirty Dozen Explained

Plasma Acetate Emerges As Key Gut-Brain Messenger In Older Adults
A study published in Nature Communications examined how gut bacteria relate to plasma acetic acid, a short-chain fatty acid produced when gut microbes ferment fiber, and found that higher acetate levels tracked with lower triglycerides, higher HDL cholesterol, lower body fat, larger thalamic brain volume, and stronger performance on judgment-related cognitive tasks. Mediation analysis showed acetate acts as a direct link between specific gut bacteria, including Oscillibacter and Coprococcus, and these health outcomes. Host Dave Asprey breaks down why this elevates fiber fermentation, not fermented beverages, as the real lever for gut-brain health, and separates the evidence-backed mechanism from the kombucha-as-shortcut assumption.
Source:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-026-01566-x
~~

GLP-1 Drugs Linked To Sharp Rise In Smell And Taste Disturbances
A JAMA Otolaryngology cohort study tracking over 438,000 GLP-1 users against matched controls found a 48% higher risk of new smell or taste disturbances over two years, with smell disturbances up 81% and taste disturbances up 52%. Diagnoses included anosmia, parosmia, and parageusia, with researchers pointing to GLP-1 receptor activity in the olfactory bulb and other chemosensory pathways as a possible mechanism. Host Dave Asprey unpacks why this signal got buried under muscle loss and gut motility headlines, and what it means for anyone currently on or considering GLP-1 therapy.
Sources:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2850571
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/10.1001/jamaoto.2026.1498
https://trial.medpath.com/news/glp-1-receptor-agonists-linked-to-increased-risk-of-smell-and-taste-disturbances-study-finds
~~

Scientists Push For Toxoplasmosis To Be Recognized As A Neglected Tropical Disease
A viewpoint paper in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases argues that toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection carried by roughly one in three people globally, deserves WHO neglected tropical disease status given its outsized impact on vision and maternal-child health. Ocular toxoplasmosis is the most common intra-ocular infection worldwide, and an estimated 190,000 babies are born with congenital toxoplasmosis each year, concentrated in low-resource regions. Despite the scale, there is still no vaccine and no standard global treatment protocol. Host Dave Asprey explains why common, quiet health threats get chronically underfunded compared to dramatic outbreaks, and what pregnant listeners specifically should know about exposure risk.
Source:
https://www.sciencealert.com/parasite-affecting-1-in-3-people-is-a-serious-risk-to-human-health-scientists-warn
~~

Yale-Oxford Data Shows Exercise May Boost Mental Health More Than A Raise
An analysis of CDC survey data from over 1.2 million U.S. adults found that people who exercise regularly report 1.5 to 2 fewer poor mental health days per month than non-exercisers, a benefit comparable to earning about $25,000 more per year. The data also revealed an inverted-U relationship, with optimal benefits at three to five sessions a week and diminishing or reversed returns at extreme volumes. Host Dave Asprey breaks down why moderate, consistent movement outperforms income as a mental health lever, and why overtraining carries its own psychological cost.
Sources:
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/04/exercise-officially-makes-you-happier-than-money-according-to-yale-and-oxford-research/
https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/exercise-linked-to-improved-mental-health-but-more-may-not-always-be-better/
~~

Unilever Reportedly Exploring $4 Billion Bid For Supplement Brand Thorne
Unilever is said to be evaluating a bid for Thorne, the clinical-grade supplement brand currently owned by private equity firm L Catterton, in a deal that could value the company at up to $4 billion, with Haleon also reportedly circling. The move reflects a broader trend of major consumer-health conglomerates acquiring practitioner-trusted, lab-forward wellness brands. Host Dave Asprey weighs in on what happens to product quality and innovation when founder-led, science-first supplement companies get absorbed into shareholder-first parent corporations.
Source:
https://www.reuters.com/business/unilever-explores-bid-supplements-maker-thorne-ft-reports-2026-06-26/
~~

New Research Maps How Your Microbiome Processes Plant Compounds, And What It Means For Your Produce Aisle Choices
Researchers mapped 775 phytonutrients from over 1,100 edible plants against nearly 2,000 gut bacterial enzymes across thousands of human microbiomes, linking that enzyme activity to outcomes in IBD, colorectal cancer, and fatty liver disease. Individuals varied widely in how many of these compounds their gut could actually process, and in mouse studies, strawberries reduced colitis activity only in mice with an intact microbiome. Host Dave Asprey explains why the plant itself isn't the active ingredient, your bacteria are, and connects the findings to this year's Environmental Working Group Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists to help listeners decide where organic actually matters.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12768975/
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1108351
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-025-02197-z
~~

This episode is designed for biohackers, longevity enthusiasts, and high-performance listeners who want mechanism-level insights into the gut-brain axis, an underreported GLP-1 side effect, a global parasite hiding in plain sight, the real ROI of exercise on mental health, consolidation in the supplement industry, and how your microbiome determines what your produce actually does for you. Host Dave Asprey connects clinical research, large cohort studies, mechanistic biology, and industry news into practical frameworks for improving gut health, brain performance, and long-term resilience.

New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Keywords: plasma acetate gut brain axis, short chain fatty acids, gut microbiome cognition, GLP-1 smell taste disturbances, anosmia parosmia GLP-1, semaglutide side effects, toxoplasmosis neglected tropical disease, Toxoplasma gondii health risks, congenital toxoplasmosis, exercise mental health study, exercise versus income happiness, overtraining mental health, Unilever Thorne acquisition, supplement industry consolidation, phytonutrient gut bacteria enzymes, polyphenol metabolism microbiome, Dirty Dozen Clean Fifteen 2026, pesticide residue produce, biohacking news 2026, Dave Asprey, The Human Upgrade

Thank you to our sponsors!
- PredictiveMind™ | Get your Brain Pattern Mapping report at predictivemind.io/dave and use code DAVE for 10% off.
- Viome | Check it out at viome.com and use code 10DAVE for 10% off. It’s time to stop guessing and start knowing your body.
- iRestore | Reverse hair loss at www.irestore.com/DAVE and get exclusive savings on the iRestore Elite, use code DAVE

Resources:
• Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/
• Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/
• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)
• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

Timestamps:
00:00 – Story #1: Acetate & Gut-Brain Health
01:57 – Story #2: GLP-1s & Smell/Taste Loss
03:22 – Story #3: Toxoplasmosis Risks
04:33 – Story #4: Exercise vs Income
05:53 – Story #5: Phytonutrients & Gut Enzymes
07:45 – Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen
08:46 – Story #6: Thorne Acquisition
09:49 – Takeaway
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Carnivore Diet, Cholesterol, Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, and Fasting Insulin Results from a 90-Day Self-Experiment

What if cutting out fiber entirely actually improved your gut bacteria? This episode breaks down a real 90-day carnivore self-experiment, complete with before and after blood work, stool testing, and continuous glucose data, that challenges everything you think you know about fiber, cholesterol, and metabolic health.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:
https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Ben Azadi, founder of Keto Kamp and bestselling author of Metabolic Freedom. After overcoming obesity and severe health challenges, Ben has spent years educating millions of people on metabolic health, fasting, ketosis, and biohacking strategies through his podcast, books, and YouTube channel with over a million subscribers. He is known for turning complex science into practical tools anyone can use to burn fat, boost human performance, and support long-term longevity.

Ben walks through what happened when he ate nothing but meat, eggs, and dairy for 90 straight days, tracking everything from his microbiome diversity to his LDL particle size. His cholesterol numbers spiked, but the full lipid panel tells a very different story than most doctors would assume. They get into why ketosis works better when you cycle in and out of it, how sodium and electrolytes play a bigger role in insulin resistance than most people realize, and why eating 17 to 23 times a day might be quietly wrecking your metabolism.

The conversation also covers the real science behind creatine absorption, why Dave adds his to hot coffee for better brain uptake, the truth about cooking oils and smoke points, and why cold plunging is one of the most misunderstood biohacks in the wellness space. Dave and Ben dig into mitochondria, fasting protocols, sleep optimization, and the supplements that actually move the needle for energy, fat loss, and anti-aging.

This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, functional medicine, brain optimization, and building a body that performs at a higher level for longer.

You'll Learn:
What 90 days of zero fiber actually did to his gut bacteria and microbiome diversity
Why his cholesterol went up but his cardiovascular risk markers stayed low
The real reason cyclical ketosis works better than staying in ketosis full time
How sodium and electrolyte intake affects insulin resistance and metabolism
Why eating too frequently keeps your body stuck in glucose and insulin spikes
The creatine hack that increases brain absorption using hot coffee
Why cold plunging is overrated for most people who skip the hormesis basics

Thank you to our sponsors!
- PredictiveMind™ | Get your Brain Pattern Mapping report at predictivemind.io/dave and use code DAVE for 10% off.
- ZenBud | Dave’s Nervous System Biohack. Visit zenbud.health and use code DAVE15 at checkout for a discount.
- Timeline | Visit timeline.com/dave to learn more about Mitopure and get 20% off your first order for a limited time.
- ENERGYbits | If you want a simpler, smarter way to support your body… this is it. Head to ENERGYbits.com and use code ASPREY for 20% off your order.

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

Keywords: Ben Azadi, Keto Kamp, carnivore diet, 90-day carnivore experiment, gut microbiome, gut bacteria diversity, fiber-free diet, LDL particle size, cyclical ketosis, fasting, autophagy, electrolytes, sodium intake, insulin resistance, fasting insulin, creatine, blood-brain barrier, melatonin, mitochondria, hormesis, cold plunge, dopamine receptors, olive oil polyphenols, smoke point, beef tallow, seed oils, HRV, sleep optimization, KetoFlex, Metabolic Freedom

Resources:
• See All Of Ben Azadi's Content At: https://benazadi.com/
• Check Out Ben’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KetoKamp
• Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/
• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)
• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

Timestamps:
00:00 – Trailer
01:15 – 90-Day Carnivore Experiment
04:43 – Cholesterol & Lipid Results
09:12 – Cyclical Keto Approach
20:19 – Reading Body Signals
26:36 – Danger Creatine Launch
31:55 – Calories vs. Hormones
33:53 – Root Cause of Insulin Resistance
35:37 – Sodium & Electrolytes
45:11 – Sleep Optimization
49:19 – Cold Plunging Overrated
51:17 – BICEP & Dopamine Reset
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your Hormones Are Killing You: Oxytocin, FSH, and the Anti-Aging Protocol Most Doctors Ignore

Your hormones are running your love life, your intuition, your longevity, and your brain, and most doctors are getting it completely wrong. Host Dave Asprey sits down with triple board-certified OBGYN Dr. Anna Cabeca to break down the clinical science of oxytocin, female pleasure, hormonal optimization, and why fixing your hormones can make your 70s the best decade of your marriage.

Dr. Anna Cabeca is a triple board-certified OBGYN and fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine, with additional board certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She is the bestselling author of The Hormone Fix, Keto-Green 16, and MenuPause, and has spent decades researching the clinical intersection of oxytocin, cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone on women's hormonal health, metabolism, and longevity. Her work on keto-green nutrition, vaginal and bladder microbiome health, and bioidentical hormone replacement has made her one of the most credentialed and clinically experienced voices in women's functional medicine practicing today.

Dave and Dr. Anna break down the real pharmacology of oxytocin, including its role in muscle regeneration, cortisol suppression, mitochondrial signaling, and vagal tone optimization. They expose the toxic ingredients hiding in mainstream lubricants and vaginal hormone creams, including aspartame, parabens, and petroleum derivatives, and explain why the vaginal microbiome is a frontline organ for women's metabolism and anti-aging. They get into the neuroscience of orgasm, pineal gland activation, endogenous DMT release, and the neurochemical cascade behind peak altered states. Dr. Anna also breaks down the Women's Health Initiative disaster, the FDA's recent reversal on bioidentical hormone replacement, and why FSH is a critical and widely overlooked longevity biomarker. High post-menopausal FSH drives neuroinflammation, accelerates bone loss, and degrades brain optimization outcomes, and most physicians are not testing for it.

This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, longevity, anti-aging, functional medicine, human performance, brain optimization, and taking full ownership of their biology.

You'll Learn:
Why oxytocin functions as a regenerative hormone that rebuilds muscle, suppresses cortisol, and supports mitochondria signaling
What toxic chemicals are hiding in standard lubricants and vaginal hormone creams and what to use instead
How orgasm activates the pineal gland and triggers endogenous DMT release and altered neurological states
Why female intuition may be directly linked to mitochondrial density concentrated in the ovaries
How elevated FSH drives neuroinflammation, bone loss, and accelerated brain aging in post-menopausal women
Why the FDA reversed 30 years of flawed guidance on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
How four days of sensory deprivation supercharges melatonin, oxytocin, and endogenous DMT production
Why oxytocin combined with ketamine is being used clinically to break trauma patterns and rewire neural pathways
How polyphenols, CoQ10, carnitine, and vagal tone training protect cardiovascular health and support longevity
Why polypharma accelerates decline and what functional medicine does differently

Thank you to our sponsors!
- KILLSwitch | If you’re ready for the best sleep of your life, order now at https://www.switchsupplements.com/and use code DAVE for 20% off
- Gatlan | Book your free consultation at www.gatlan.com/DAVE
- Redmond Real - Leaf Toothpaste | Go to https://redmond.com/asprey and use code ASPREY for 15% off your first order.
- Neuronic | Go to www.neuronic.online Code DAVE for $100 off

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

Keywords: Dr. Anna Cabeca, The Girlfriend Doctor, oxytocin, bioidentical hormone replacement, FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone, vaginal microbiome, Velve lubricant, Julva, Mighty Maca, cortisol suppression, pineal gland, DMT, neuroinflammation, broken heart syndrome, NT-proBNP, vagal tone, dark retreat, orgasmic meditation, Women's Health Initiative, perimenopause, postmenopause, yoni massage, oxytocin nasal spray, cabergoline, prolactin, Pitocin, CoQ10, carnitine, Arterosil, polypharma, keto-green, The Hormone Fix

Resources:
• Get An Exclusive Offer On Dr. Anna’s Products At: dranna.com/tribe
• Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/
• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)
• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

Timestamps:
00:00 – Trailer
01:37 – What Is Oxytocin?
07:38 – Clean Lube Launch
09:11 – Toxic Lube Ingredients
17:08 – Oxytocin Prescribing
18:58 – FDA Reverses HRT Warning
26:50 – Dark Retreat & DMT
32:15 – Orgasmic Meditation
42:06 – Female Intuition
46:21 – Broken Heart Syndrome
51:15 – FSH & Hormone Monitoring
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You already know something has changed - the energy crashes, the slow recovery, the brain fog that wasn't there ten years ago. Most people assume that's just aging. But it’s NOT. Nobel Prize-winning research has identified a single molecule that controls how fast your body breaks down, and more importantly, exactly why yours is being destroyed faster than it's being rebuilt. The fix isn't complicated, but the order you do it in matters. In this video, Dave breaks down what this molecule is, why your body is actively working against it, and the exact protocol (diet, fasting, exercise, and supplementation) to restore it before the gap gets any wider.

Thank you to our sponsors!
Gatlan | Book your free consultation at www.gatlan.com/DAVE
Viome | Check it out at viome.com and use code 10DAVE for 10% off. It’s time to stop guessing and start knowing your body.
iRestore | Reverse hair loss at www.irestore.com/DAVE and get exclusive savings on the iRestore Elite, use code DAVE

Timestamps:
0:00 – The Longevity Switch
0:47 – Why Mitochondria Matter
2:28 – What Mitophagy Is
2:46 – How Mitophagy Works
4:18 – What Shuts It Off
8:54 – The Damage Compounds
9:22 – How to Turn It Back On
10:31 – Signal 1: Fasting
11:48 – Signal 2: Exercise (REHIT)
12:30 – Signal 3: Cold Exposure
13:22 – Signal 4: NAD+
14:29 – Signal 5: Urolithin A and Spermidine

Connect with Dave Asprey!

Website: https://daveasprey.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/
X: https://x.com/daveasprey
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybpr

The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/

Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15
Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com/
Dave Asprey’s New Book - Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
Dave's favorite supplements: https://www.shopsuppgradelabs.com/discount/DAVE15
Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.