The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

CDC Director Jim O'Neill on Fixing America's Broken Food Policy : 1449

The government is finally catching up to what biohackers have known for decades, and the man helping lead that charge just sat down with Host Dave Asprey to talk longevity science, aging biomarkers, dietary overhaul, AI in medicine, and what a real science-first health agenda actually looks like. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Jim O'Neill served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services and Acting Director of the CDC before being nominated to lead the National Science Foundation in March 2026. Before entering government, he was CEO of SENS Research Foundation, where he led cutting-edge regenerative medicine research targeting mitochondrial mutations, senescent cells, and neocortex rejuvenation. He is a 30-year veteran of health care reform and a genuine longevity insider. Dave and Jim cover the complete rewrite of federal dietary guidelines, the government's new randomized controlled trials on saturated fats, and why grains are no longer the core of a "balanced diet." They dig into a 144 million dollar ARPA H program to establish causal aging biomarkers that will unlock real anti-aging drug development and accelerate the kind of longevity research the SENS Foundation pioneered. Jim explains why current aging clocks and DNA methylation markers are not enough, and what comes next for functional medicine, sleep optimization, and metabolism research. They also break down the CDC's return to its infectious disease core, the future of AI in health care, wearable data for disease surveillance, organ bioprinting, GLP-1s, supplements like vitamin D, peptides, and the right to self-experiment. You will learn: Why the new federal dietary guidelines finally reject grain-centric nutrition and validate what the biohacking world has argued for 25 years How a 144 million dollar government program aims to build the causal biomarkers that will make real anti-aging and longevity drug development possible What Jim thinks about DNA methylation clocks and why better tools are needed to measure aging and human performance How AI is reshaping prescription refills, clinical decision support, Medicare reimbursement, and the future of functional medicine Why Jim wears an Oura Ring and uses sleep optimization data to make daily health decisions The government's evolving stance on peptides, supplements, and therapies that are not patent protected How organ bioprinting using a patient's own cells could solve the organ shortage crisis What real science replication looks like and why the government is now funding it What the CDC is doing to refocus on infectious disease while shedding mission creep How GLP-1s, fitness tracking, and updated nutrition strategies could significantly cut national obesity rates within five years Thank you to our sponsors! - Neuronic | Go to www.neuronic.online Code DAVE for $100 off - iRestore | Reverse hair loss with www.irestore.com/DAVE and get exclusive savings on the iRestore Elite, use code DAVE - Go to timeline.com/dave and save 20% with code DAVE20 - Superstratum Labs | Get Dave's exact home mold detox kit and save 10% at superstratumlabs.com/products/dave 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: Jim O'Neill, CDC, HHS, dietary guidelines, saturated fat, aging biomarkers, ARPA H, SENS Research Foundation, longevity, anti-aging, senescent cells, mitochondria, DNA methylation, sleep optimization, Oura Ring, AI healthcare, organ bioprinting, GLP-1, peptides, vitamin D, supplements, functional medicine, biohacking, Dave Asprey, human performance, metabolism Resources: • Learn more at: https://www.hhs.gov/ • 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 – Dietary Guidelines Overhaul 06:48 – Misinformation & Scientific Integrity 10:26 – Longevity vs. Chronic Disease 13:03 – Aging Biomarkers & ARPA-H 14:31 – CDC's Refocus on Infectious Disease 16:55 – Alternative Therapies & Biohacking 19:21 – Health Trackers & Privacy 22:27 – AI in Healthcare 24:01 – Diet, Supplements & School Meals 27:31 – Food Safety, Pesticides & Peptides See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Doctor's DON'T Tell You About Megadosing Creatine (Over 40) : 1447

My favorite creatine (discount code DAVETUBE): https://www.qualialife.com/ASPREYRECOMMENDSCreatine isn’t just for bodybuilders. It’s one of the most overlooked, science-backed nootropics for brain optimization, neuroplasticity, mitochondrial energy, and total human performance. This episode reveals why creatine is a non-negotiable supplement for anyone serious about biohacking, longevity, and cognitive upgrades. Host Dave Asprey breaks down the myths and truths about creatine, uncovering how it enhances memory, supports your mitochondria, regulates mood, strengthens bones and heart function, and even aids fetal brain development during pregnancy. Drawing from decades of functional medicine, real-world biohacks, and new research featured in the Wall Street Journal, Dave explains how creatine works not only as a muscle booster but as a universal cellular fuel that supports brain benefits, memory improvement, and sleep optimization. Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction1:14 – Why Creatine Matters5:01 – History of Creatine6:09 – Debunking the Myths8:55 – 5 Ways Creatine Fuels Your Mind & Body16:25 – How to Maximize Absorption18:13 – Dosing: How Much & When to Take It19:07 – Forms of Creatine Explained19:50 – Special Use Cases21:28 – Biohacking Real-World Applications23:21 – What to Stack with Creatine24:50 – Choosing the Right Creatine28:40 – Recap & Key TakeawaysThank you to our sponsors! 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.AquaTru | Go to https://aquatruwater.com/daveasprey and save $100 on all AquaTru water purifiers.Connect with Dave Asprey!Website: https://daveasprey.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/X: https://x.com/daveaspreyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybprThe Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15Dave 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/DAVE15Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Superhuman Contact Lenses, Motivation Supplement Stack, Cat Scratches Cause Brain Fog, Amino Acid Shortening Lifespan, and more... : 1448

This week's stories: *Bartonella Hides in Cat Scratches — and It Might Be Why You Feel Like Garbage A stealth bacterial infection transmitted by everyday cat scratches and flea dirt has been quietly linked to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and neurological symptoms for decades. Dave breaks down how Bartonella slips past standard testing, why it's almost never on a conventional doctor's radar, and the specific PCR protocol you need to actually find it. Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ *High Tyrosine Levels May Be Cutting Years Off Men's Lives A Mendelian randomization study of 270,000 UK Biobank participants found that elevated tyrosine is causally linked to nearly a full year of lost lifespan in men — with zero effect in women. The culprit appears to be an inflammatory oxidation pathway that men metabolize very differently. Dave examines what this means for every guy stacking L-tyrosine nootropics or eating high-protein keto. Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41045493/ https://www.aging-us.com/news-room/high-tyrosine-levels-linked-to-shorter-lifespan-in-men https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-02-27/study-suggests-one-common-amino-acid-may-affect-how-long-men-live *Blue Light Blocking Contact Lenses Are a Legitimate Vision Upgrade ALTIUS Vision's tinted contact lenses aren't just blue light filters — they cut chromatic aberration by 53% and improve motion tracking and contrast sensitivity in ways that software filters simply can't replicate. Dave covers the mechanism, who benefits most (screen workers, TBI recovery, gamers), and how to find a provider. Sources: https://altiusvision.com/chromatic-aberration/ https://altiusvision.com/science-of-altius/ https://www.westvalleyvision.com/-altius--performance-tinted-contact-lenses *Taurine Plus B Vitamins Actually Moves the Needle on Motivation A randomized crossover trial found that a daily stack of taurine, B6, folate, and B12 sustained effort-reward motivation and cut cognitive lapses significantly compared to placebo — and the mechanism runs through glutathione production in brain astrocytes. Dave breaks down why this combo works when either ingredient alone doesn't. Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41889717/ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1711478/full https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2026/03/23/taurine-and-b-vitamins-bost-motivation-and-focus/ *30 Seconds of Smelling Flowers Resets Your Nervous System Research out of the Monell Chemical Senses Center confirms what your grandmother knew: a slow, deep floral inhale measurably lowers heart rate and activates the parasympathetic nervous system — and it works because olfaction bypasses the cortex entirely and hits the limbic system directly. Dave makes the case for building a daily scent ritual. Sources: https://time.com/ https://www.southtabor.com/healthy-living-tip-stop-and-smell-the-flowers/ This episode is designed for biohackers, longevity seekers, and high-performance listeners who want mechanism-level clarity on infection-driven cognitive decline, amino acid optimization, sensory performance, and evidence-based supplementation. Host Dave Asprey connects emerging clinical research, Mendelian randomization data, and real-world protocols into actionable frameworks for extending healthspan and sharpening performance. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Keywords: Bartonella cat scratch infection, Bartonella brain fog chronic fatigue, stealth bacterial infection biohacking, tyrosine lifespan men, L-tyrosine risk men longevity, Mendelian randomization amino acid aging, blue light blocking contacts, ALTIUS vision chromatic aberration, performance contact lenses TBI, taurine B vitamins motivation RCT, taurine folate brain health, glutathione astrocytes focus, smelling flowers heart rate stress, olfaction parasympathetic nervous system, floral scent limbic system, biohacking news, longevity research 2026 Thank you to our sponsors! - GOT MOLD? | Go to http://gotmold.com/shop and use DAVE10 to save 10% and see what’s in your air. - MASA Chips | Go to https://www.masachips.com/DAVEASPREY and use code DAVEASPREY for 25% off your first order. - iRestore | Grow thicker, healthier hair back naturally. Use code DAVE at irestore.com. 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 00:37 – Bartonella & Cat Scratch Disease 02:06 – Tyrosine & Lifespan in Men 03:37 – Tinted Contacts & Visual Processing 05:56 – Taurine & Motivation 07:25 – Floral Scent & Nervous System Reset See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Doctors Can't Fix Women in 2026 : 1446

Most women are suffering for years from anxiety, gut problems, low libido, and brain fog because no one is treating the real cause: their hormones. This episode is a masterclass in women's hormone optimization, covering everything from vaginal delivery of bioidentical hormones to why low estrogen destroys your gut, your sex drive, your mitochondria, and your marriage. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Sarah Daccarett, MD, a physician, longevity expert, and the founder and CEO of Inner Balance, a modern women's health company redefining hormone therapy, sexual wellness, and aging. She has treated tens of thousands of women across all 50 states and is known for challenging outdated medical models and building science-driven solutions that reflect female biology rather than borrowing protocols designed for men. She created Oestra, a revolutionary hormone therapy delivery system, along with Libida, an on-demand libido solution that targets desire at the brain level, making her one of the most credible and innovative voices in functional medicine and women's longevity today. Together, they expose why conventional medicine has failed women for decades, why patches and pills are nearly useless, and what actually works for anti-aging, metabolism, longevity, and human performance. Dr. Sarah makes the case that hormone replacement therapy is not a last resort for menopausal women. It is a foundational longevity strategy that every woman should consider starting in her 20s. You'll Learn: Why vaginal hormone delivery outperforms every other delivery method for women How low estrogen destroys your gut lining, gallbladder, and immune system long before menopause symptoms appear Why a carnivore or animal-based diet raises estrogen and why fiber lowers it How progesterone converts to testosterone in women, and why you may not need a testosterone prescription The real reason SSRIs get prescribed when hormone replacement therapy should come first Why iodine is essential for breast health, estrogen metabolism, and thyroid function How oxalates from "superfoods" like matcha, spinach, and almonds accumulate in your ovaries, uterus, and kidneys Why both partners need hormone replacement therapy for a relationship to thrive How hormones control mitochondria, dopamine, norepinephrine, and every system in your body Thank you to our sponsors! - Qualia | If you want to take the guesswork out of maintaining high NAD+ levels as you age, go to www.qualialife.com/daveNAD to get clinically proven Qualia NAD+ backed by a 100 day money back guarantee and code DAVENAD at checkout gets you an extra 15% off. - Igniton | Try risk free at Igniton.com and use code DAVE at checkout for 15% off. Backed by a 30-day money back guarantee. - The One Device | Use code DAVE for $10 off at theonedevice.com/dave - Joymode | Go to tryjoymode.com/DAVE Or enter DAVE at checkout for 20% 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. Sarah Daccarett, Inner Balance, women's hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones, vaginal hormone delivery, estrogen deficiency, progesterone therapy, hormone replacement therapy, perimenopause, testosterone women, COMT genetics, FSH hormone, iodine deficiency, oxalates health, leaky gut hormones, women's longevity, biohacking, Dave Asprey, human performance, functional medicine, anti-aging Resources: • Visit Sarah’s Website and use code ‘PODCASTDRSARAH’: https://www.innerbalance.com/ • 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: 0:00 – Trailer 1:15 – Introduction 2:43 – The Gender Gap in Hormone Care 5:14 – Why Women's Hormone Therapy Is Stuck in the 1960s 8:09 – Why Young Women Are Losing Their Hormones 9:33 – Toxins, Birth Control & Hormone Disruption 14:07 – How Fiber Steals Your Hormones 19:53 – Hormones, Libido & Brain Chemistry 32:13 – Pills, Patches & Why They Fail 36:54 – Why Vaginal Delivery Works Best 44:36 – Symptoms of Low Hormones 46:07 – Leaky Gut Is a Hormone Problem 47:38 – How Low Hormones Destroy Relationships 52:28 – Thyroid, Iodine & Sex Hormones 1:00:29 – Progesterone for Men 1:05:18 – Oxalates, Kidney Stones & Your Diet 1:11:13 – Where to Find Dr. Sarah See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Underground World of Frog Venom Ceremonies : 1445

Frog venom burns your skin, makes you purge, and might be the most powerful healing tool you have never tried. In this episode, Host Dave Asprey sits down with Kambo researcher and practitioner Caitlin Thompson to break down how intentional suffering through this ancient Amazonian medicine is producing dramatic results for people with autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, Lyme disease, addiction, and metabolic dysfunction. From the peptide science behind the purge to the biohacking case for voluntary pain, this conversation will change how you think about healing, resilience, and human performance. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Caitlin Thompson is an internationally recognized Kambo practitioner and educator who has guided over 2,700 clients through this medicine, with a focus on Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, and chronic illness. Her path into this work was shaped by her own recovery from Lyme disease and Lupus. Trained in neurobiology and rooted in psychedelic science, immune health, and the human microbiome, Caitlin is currently pioneering some of the first prospective human studies on Kambo. She collaborates directly with indigenous Amazonian communities including the Matsés, Shuar, Quechua, and Matis, and has appeared on over 100 podcasts and conferences as a leading voice at the intersection of traditional medicine and modern science. Dave and Caitlin break down the full Kambo experience, from the transdermal burns and peptide families flooding your lymphatic system, to the purge, the frog face, and the window of clarity that follows. They explore why the suffering is not a side effect but the actual mechanism, how ordeal medicine builds the same neuroplasticity and dopamine receptor sensitivity that meditation, breathwork, and ice baths produce, and why this ancient practice is becoming one of the most talked about tools in functional medicine and longevity circles. They also dig into the sustainability crisis threatening frog populations in the Amazon, the almost nonexistent research landscape for Kambo, why journals refuse to publish positive findings, and how AI may unlock the ability to synthesize Kambo peptides and remove the dependency on frogs entirely. You'll Learn: Why intentional suffering through Kambo may be one of the most effective biohacking tools for immune reset and brain optimization How Kambo peptides interact with your mitochondria, vagal nerve, and immune system to drive deep healing Why the purge is not a side effect but a keystone mechanism of the medicine How ordeal medicine builds dopamine receptor sensitivity and neuroplasticity similar to fasting, cold exposure, and breathwork What the actual risks of Kambo are and how hyponatremia kills people who do it wrong Why Caitlin recovered from Lupus and Lyme disease using Kambo and what that means for autoimmune conditions How Kambo compares to ketamine, ayahuasca, and other altered states for trauma and performance Why journals refuse to publish Kambo research and what that reveals about the drug development pipeline How AI and synthetic biology may soon make frog harvesting unnecessary What the worst Kambo practitioners do wrong and how to find someone you can actually trust Thank you to our sponsors! -BEYOND Biohacking Conference 2026 | Register with code DAVE300 for $300 off https://beyondconference.com-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-Caldera + Lab | Go to https://calderalab.com/DAVE and use code DAVE at checkout for 20% off your first order.-Screenfit | Get your at-home eye training program for 40% off using code DAVE at https://www.screenfit.com/dave.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: Caitlin Thompson, Kambo practitioner, frog venom healing, Kambo ceremony, Kambo peptides, phyllo medusa bicolor, transdermal burns, hyponatremia Kambo, Kambo autoimmune, Lyme disease Kambo, Lupus recovery, ordeal medicine, intentional suffering dopamine, Kambo research, Kambo safety, Kambo training, Amazon frog medicine, Kambo vs ayahuasca, biohacking, Dave Asprey, human performance, neuroplasticity Resources: • Visit Caitlins Website to Learn More: https://kamboinstitute.org/ • 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 – Introduction05:33 – Guest Introduction 09:46 – Caitlin's Origin Story 12:46 – Kambo & Healing 16:29 – Trauma, PTSD & Psychosomatics 19:36 – What Is Kambo? 22:41 – Journey Duration 24:26 – Pharmacology & Peptides 28:55 – Publishing Challenges & Bias 30:45 – How to Do It Wrong 32:22 – Legal Status 35:14 – Synthesizing Kambo 39:34 – Indigenous Origins & Folklore 42:46 – Safety & Risks 48:56 – Where to Find Caitlin 51:25 – Pain, Resilience & BICEP See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.