The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Novo Nordisk Eyes Hair-Loss Market in Consumer-Health Expansion
Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, is exploring hair loss as one of several possible areas for future expansion, alongside menopause and addiction. The company has not announced a hair-loss drug, clinical trial, acquisition, or partnership, but Chief Scientific Officer Martin Holst Lange pointed to the category during the company's 2026 Capital Markets Day. Host Dave Asprey breaks down why hair loss makes strategic sense for a company already deeply involved in endocrine biology, how emerging treatments are moving beyond traditional options like minoxidil and finasteride, and why sudden shedding during rapid GLP-1 weight loss may be telogen effluvium rather than traditional pattern baldness.
Sources:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-22/ozempic-maker-novo-looks-to-target-hair-loss-in-consumer-push
https://www.novonordisk.com/investors/capital-markets-day-2026.html
https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/companies/arid-41914219.html
~~~

Nearly One in Six Pediatric GLP-1 Users Diagnosed With a Nutritional Deficiency
A study of 2,031 children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 who were prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists found that 16.88% received a new diagnosis related to a nutritional deficiency within one year. Vitamin D deficiency was the most common, appearing in about 12.4% of the group, while smaller numbers were diagnosed with nutritional anemia or iron deficiency anemia. Host Dave Asprey explains why the study does not prove GLP-1 drugs caused these deficiencies, but highlights a bigger concern: only about 5% of the children had documented nutrition counseling within the first 30 days, even though appetite suppression during adolescence can reduce intake of protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and other nutrients needed for growth.
Sources:
https://doi.org/10.1177/21532176261486979
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260923035926.htm
https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/children-taking-glp-1s-can-be-at-risk-of-nutritional-deficiencies-study-finds
~~~

Stronger Stomach-Brain Synchrony Associated With Poorer Mental Health
Researchers studying the electrical rhythm of the stomach alongside brain activity found an unexpected relationship: stronger synchronization between gastric signals and certain brain networks was associated with worse mental health measures, including higher anxiety, depression, stress, and fatigue. The strongest associations appeared in networks involved in attention and cognitive control. Host Dave Asprey explains why the findings do not prove stomach-brain synchronization causes mental health problems, but expand the gut-brain conversation beyond the microbiome to include electrical activity, neural signaling, hormones, immune pathways, and metabolites.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00468-6
https://health.au.dk/en/display/artikel/the-stomachs-brain-is-more-in-sync-with-the-mind-during-mental-distress
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-stomach-brain-sync-mind-mental.html
~~~

Food Preservatives and Additive Mixtures Associated With Cardiovascular Risk
A large French NutriNet-Santé study involving more than 112,000 adults found that higher exposure to total preservatives was associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, while several individual additives were also linked to elevated risk. A newer September 2026 analysis from the same cohort examined combinations of additives people commonly consume together and found several mixtures associated with higher rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or coronary heart disease. Host Dave Asprey explains why these observational findings cannot prove that preservatives cause cardiovascular disease, but raises a larger question about whether evaluating food additives one compound at a time accurately reflects the mixtures people consume in real packaged foods.
Sources:
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag308/8679203
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12916-026-05132-z
https://www.escardio.org/news/press/press-releases/common-food-preservatives-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-disease/
~~~

Taurine Pretreatment Reduces Depression-Like Changes in Chronically Stressed Rats
A 2017 study in male rats found that taurine pretreatment reduced several behavioral and biochemical effects of chronic unpredictable stress. Taurine-treated animals maintained more normal reward-seeking behavior and performed better on some learning and memory measures, while researchers also observed changes in corticosterone, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, BDNF, and FGF2. Host Dave Asprey explains why this does not show that taurine treats depression in humans, especially because the taurine was injected and given before the chronic stress began, but uses the study to explore a broader principle: much of stress resilience may be built before the stress ever arrives.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05051-3
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5504064/

This episode is designed for biohackers, longevity enthusiasts, parents, and high-performance listeners who want emerging health research translated into practical decisions without getting trapped by headline science. Host Dave Asprey explores what rapid weight loss can mean for hair and nutrient status, why the gut-brain axis extends far beyond the microbiome, what food-additive research can and cannot tell us about cardiovascular risk, and why stress resilience may depend as much on what you do before a challenge as what you do after it.

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

Keywords: Novo Nordisk hair loss, Ozempic hair loss, Wegovy hair shedding, GLP-1 telogen effluvium, minoxidil hair loss, finasteride hair loss, pediatric GLP-1 nutritional deficiencies, GLP-1 vitamin D deficiency, GLP-1 children nutrition, liraglutide adolescents, semaglutide teenagers, stomach brain connection, gastric brain coupling, gut brain axis mental health, electrogastrography anxiety, gut brain depression, food preservatives cardiovascular disease, food additives hypertension, NutriNet-Santé preservatives, ultra-processed foods heart disease, additive mixtures cardiovascular risk, taurine stress resilience, taurine depression study, taurine BDNF, chronic stress taurine, biohacking news 2026

Thank you to our sponsors!
- Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
- BrainTap | Go to http://braintap.com/dave to get $100 off the BrainTap Power Bundle.
- iRestore | Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code DAVE at irestore.com/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 — Intro
00:18 — Novo Nordisk & Hair Loss
02:52 — GLP-1s & Kids' Nutrition
05:08 — Stomach-Brain Sync
07:49 — Preservatives & Heart Risk
10:53 — Taurine & Stress Resilience
13:28 — Outro
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back again with one of the best episodes we've done on the channel. So good that we had to play it once more for you! Today you’ll meet Robert Waldinger, M.D., who leads an extraordinary scientific study on happiness that’s still going strong after eight decades. The study set out to understand human health by what made people thrive.
Since 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked two groups of men and their families with the goal of discovering what really makes for a good life. Along the way, thousands of questions were asked, and hundreds of measurements were taken—from brain scans to blood work. Three strong themes emerged from the study:
Social connections are really good for you. Loneliness kills.
It’s the quality of your close relationships that matters.
Good close relationships don’t just protect your body, they protect your brain.

Dr. Waldinger combined those lifelong case studies with modern psychological research in his new book, co-authored with Marc Schulz, Ph.D., “The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness." This discussion gives you real-life tools to hack your happiness. You’ll learn things like:
how relationships improve your physical, mental and emotional health. (More than you know!)
how to evaluate the effect of your relationships on your well-being. (Don’t be dragged down.)
what social fitness is and how to practice it. (Yes, it’s a flex.)
ways to enliven and energize your relationships. (Energy totally matters.)
why casual and work relationships matter more than you think. (A surprisingly big contribution.)

You'll Learn:
Why loneliness physically harms your body — affecting your brain, immune function, sleep, and pain sensitivity
The likely mechanism behind why relationships improve health: how a good listener helps regulate your stress response
What "social fitness" is and why relationships wither from neglect, even without conflict
The four attachment styles and why knowing yours matters before committing to a relationship
Why intergenerational friendships may be one of the most underused tools for personal growth and happiness

Resources:
• Visit https://metabolismfixbook.com/ to learn more about JJ Virgin’s new book, The Metabolism Fix, and access the bonus resources she created to go with it.
• 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/davetube
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction & the Study
04:43 — What Makes a Good Life
08:47 — How Relationships Heal
13:44 — Happiness: Nature vs Nurture
17:59 — Measuring Happiness
23:56 — Life Stages & Happiness
35:34 — Social Fitness
44:30 — Energizing Relationships
56:14 — Attachment & Childhood
1:05:04 — Casual Friends & Legacy

Thank you to our sponsors!
- Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
- ZenBud | Dave’s Nervous System Biohack. Visit zenbud.health and use code DAVE15 at checkout for a discount.
- BodyHealth | Visit BodyHealth.com and use code DAVE20 for 20% off your first purchase.
- Puori | Use code DAVE at puori.com/DAVE to get 32% off your first Puori CP1 Pure Collagen order when you start a subscription. You save more than $26.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Catharine Arnston on Spirulina, Chlorella, Mitochondria, Detox, Brain Energy, and Longevity

Visit https://energybits.com/ and use code HUMANUPGRADE for 20% off.

Could one of the oldest foods on Earth also be one of the most overlooked tools for mitochondrial health, brain function, detoxification, and longevity?

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Catharine Arnston, founder of ENERGYbits and author of Love Your Health to Bits with Algae, to explore the biology of spirulina and chlorella and why these microscopic organisms have been studied for decades as unusually nutrient-dense foods.

Catharine explains the major differences between spirulina and chlorella, from how they are grown and processed to how she uses them for completely different purposes. Spirulina contains compounds including phycocyanin and superoxide dismutase that Catharine believes can support mitochondrial function, antioxidant defenses, cellular energy, and brain health, while chlorella is used primarily for binding and removing unwanted compounds such as heavy metals. They also discuss why water quality, sourcing, drying temperature, and processing can dramatically change the final product.

The conversation goes deep into mitochondrial biology, including the electron transport chain, ATP production, oxidative stress, free radicals, cytochrome c, superoxide dismutase, and the blue pigment phycocyanin. Dave connects these mechanisms to his own experience rebuilding mitochondrial function and explains why increasing cellular energy without adequate antioxidant defenses may create problems, particularly for people experimenting with advanced longevity interventions such as mitochondrial peptides.

Dave and Catharine also explore methylene blue, psychedelics, exercise, brain aging, environmental toxins, nutrient density, food quality, algae farming, sustainable agriculture, and why maintaining mitochondrial function may become increasingly important with age. Catharine, who turns 70 shortly after the recording, also shares the philosophy behind her first book and her belief that aging does not have to mean accepting declining energy and cognitive function.

This is essential listening for anyone interested in mitochondria, spirulina, chlorella, cellular energy, brain health, detoxification, oxidative stress, longevity, biohacking, nutrient density, methylene blue, peptides, and maintaining performance as you age.

You’ll Learn:
Why spirulina and chlorella work differently in the body
How spirulina may support mitochondrial energy and antioxidant defenses
Why chlorella is commonly used for heavy metal and toxin binding
What phycocyanin and superoxide dismutase do inside cells
How oxidative stress can disrupt mitochondrial energy production
Why Dave cautions against pushing mitochondrial output without adequate cellular protection
How algae may support brain health, longevity, and performance as you age


Dave Asprey is 4x NY Times Bestselling Author, Longevity Expert and Creator of the Biohacking Movement. 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: Catharine Arnston, ENERGYbits, spirulina, chlorella, algae, microalgae, mitochondrial health, mitochondria, cellular energy, ATP production, electron transport chain, oxidative stress, free radicals, superoxide dismutase, SOD, phycocyanin, brain health, detoxification, heavy metals, glyphosate, environmental toxins, methylene blue, MOTS-c, peptides, biohacking, longevity, healthy aging, nutrient density, antioxidant defense, sustainable food

Resources:
• Visit https://energybits.com/ and use code HUMANUPGRADE for 20% off.
• 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/davetube
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)

Thank you to our sponsors!
- Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
- ZenBud | Dave’s Nervous System Biohack. Visit zenbud.health and use code DAVE15 at checkout for a discount.
- Our Place | Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 10% off sitewide.
- Kenetik | Instead of pushing your system harder, Kenetik feeds your brain the ketones it craves to fuel calm clarity and steady focus. Go to drinkkenetik.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for a discount.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Show Open
01:25 — Algae Origins & History
06:15 — Sourcing Quality Algae
09:15 — Nutrient Density Crisis
17:15 — Spirulina vs. Chlorella
22:30 — Algae Industry Applications
27:45 — Algae in Your Cells
33:20 — SOD & Brain Health
42:00 — Phycocyanin & Cancer
52:30 — Aging vs. Declining
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Try TrueDark glasses: https://truedark.com
Try Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/davetube
Try Suppgrade Labs: https://shopsuppgradelabs.com/
Try Longevity Gummies: https://www.timeline.com/partners/dave-asprey

If you're waking up exhausted, foggy, or inflamed and nothing seems to fix it, the answer might be hiding in your walls. This deep dive walks through how toxic mold and mycotoxins settle into your brain, nerves, and mitochondria, how to properly test your home and body for exposure, and the exact order of operations, environment first, then detox, that actually leads to recovery. Drawing from his own diagnosis with mold-related brain damage, the creator breaks down everything from HVAC contamination to binders and glutathione so you can finally stop chasing symptoms and address the real source.

Thank you to our sponsors!
Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
Neuronic | Go to www.neuronic.online Code DAVE for $100 off
iRestore | Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code DAVE at irestore.com/DAVE

Timestamps:
00:00 — Mold Toxins and My Story
02:14 — How Mycotoxins Damage Cells
04:09 — Three Sources of Mold
05:35 — Track Symptoms by Location
07:20 — Fix Environment Before Detox
08:53 — Mold Testing Methods
10:35 — Remediation and Moisture Control
12:47 — Belongings Can Recontaminate
14:45 — Why Recovery Varies
17:23 — Detox Protocol and Binders

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/

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.

Back with another all-time classic. Teal's is one of those episodes I keep going back to because it was just that good. Now more than ever, we need to ask ourselves: what is the role of Ego? Do we need to worry about AI killing us? Is there hope for the future of our species?

These are just a few of the big questions you’ll tackle in this enlightening and esoteric episode re-run. I’m joined by Teal Swan, a thought leader, bestselling author, and international speaker who is on a mission to reduce human suffering. After a challenging upbringing, Teal emerged with a unique ability to talk about psychology, shadow work, and the nature of our world.

Teal shares the unusual and special way she sees the world. We talk about her ESP powers, how to identify a narcissist, and her favorite dimensions. We also get into the divine masculine vs. the divine feminine, the nature of ego, and how to build trust in the world and others.

00:00 — Trailer
00:18 — Intro
6:12 — Understanding Narcissism
13:20 — AI and Spiritual Perception
19:30 — Birth Trauma and Memory
28:00 — Art and Different Realities
35:22 — The Nature of Ego
42:50 — Divine Masculine and Feminine
50:00 — Hormones and Hope
54:05 — Synchronization Workshops
1:00:29 — Outro

Sponsors
Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
EMR-Tek | https://www.emr-tek.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 40% off.
iRestore | Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code DAVE at irestore.com/DAVE

Resources:
• Learn More About Teal's Work At: https://tealswan.com/about-teal/
• 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/davetube
• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)

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/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.