The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance Podcast By Dave Asprey cover art

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

By: Dave Asprey
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For a decade, Dave Asprey, “the father of biohacking,” elevated what you knew about the capabilities of your mind and body across a thousand episodes of Bulletproof Radio. Now, he’s evolving it even further in his plan to upgrade humanity. You’re invited to expand your knowledge, explore your own performance and embrace possibility with The Human Upgrade™.

You’ll meet bright thinkers and radical doers who push the boundaries of science, technology, personal development, and human performance in every way imaginable. You’ll learn from experts around the world who elevate what it means to be human.

Every guest you listen to, every topic you learn about, every new idea you discover on this podcast moves you forward.

Join The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey on this next evolution to upgrade your mind, body and life.

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Episodes
  • Who Should Take Herbal Ecstasy Supplements? (The Billion-Dollar Backstory) : 1306

    Who Should Take Herbal Ecstasy Supplements? (The Billion-Dollar Backstory) : 1306
    Jul 25 2025
    What is Herbal Ecstasy—and why does it matter? This might be one of the most insane episodes we’ve ever recorded, and we had to bring it back because the story is too wild, too relevant, and too packed with real lessons in biohacking, brain optimization, and supplement hacking to miss. Host Dave Asprey sits down with Shaahin Cheyene, the renegade teenage entrepreneur who built a billion-dollar supplement empire before he could legally drink. As the creator of Herbal Ecstasy, Shaahin hacked natural compounds into high-performance nootropics that boosted energy, neuroplasticity, and metabolism—long before biohacking was a movement. He faced seven federal investigations, never spent a day in jail, and went on to pioneer the vaporizer industry and dominate Amazon with advanced supplement marketing. This episode explores how Shaahin reverse-engineered functional medicine principles, used ancient plant medicine to upgrade human performance, and scaled a controversial brand using raw hustle and hacking tactics. You’ll hear how Herbal Ecstasy worked, why it was banned, and what it teaches us about supplements, mitochondrial function, dopamine regulation, and the dark politics behind wellness innovation. You’ll learn: • Why Herbal Ecstasy became a billion-dollar underground supplement • How Shaahin used nootropics and adaptogens to hack energy, focus, and neuroplasticity • What his clash with the FDA reveals about supplement regulation and functional medicine • How dopamine, mitochondria, and metabolism drive human performance • The difference between hacking systems vs conforming to broken ones • How storytelling, podcasting, and controversial supplements build legacy brands Whether you’re optimizing your sleep, hacking your brain, experimenting with ketosis or fasting, or upgrading your stack with supplements that actually work—this channel delivers strategies, cautionary tales, and insight you won’t find anywhere else. lt is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, brain optimization, supplements, mitochondria, metabolism, functional medicine, nootropics, longevity, dopamine, cold therapy, sleep optimization, emotional regulation, neuroplasticity, fasting, podcasting, RFK-era health freedom, ketosis, entrepreneurship, and building influence smarter not harder—with or without Danger Coffee. 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 is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. Thank you to our sponsors! Resources: • Shaahin’s Website: https://www.shaahincheyenne.com/ • Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com • 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 • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: • 0:00 — Trailer • 0:45 — Intro and guest setup • 4:39 — Escaping Iran and early hustle • 8:26 — Birth of Herbal Ecstasy • 14:21 — Explosive growth and legal heat • 25:06 — Lessons on money and business • 31:17 — Inventing the digital vaporizer • 40:03 — Hacking success on Amazon • 41:59 — Nootropics and the Limitless pill • 46:38 — Martial arts and mental resilience • 55:44 — Podcasting, media, and influence • 1:07:09 — Where to find Shaahin and closing thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    59 mins
  • Boost Brain Power by 25% WITHOUT a Pill (Brain Optimization Secrets) : 1305

    Boost Brain Power by 25% WITHOUT a Pill (Brain Optimization Secrets) : 1305
    Jul 24 2025
    You’re leaving brainpower on the table, and this episode shows you how to reclaim it. Learn how to boost cognitive performance by 25% without relying on pills, stimulants, or gimmicks. Host Dave Asprey sits down with global finance expert and cross-cultural thinker Richard Conrad to explore how your cultural programming shapes your biology, metabolism, neuroplasticity, and even your ability to reach peak human performance. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Richard is the author of Culture Hacks and has spent over 30 years living and working across Japan, China, and the U.S. He’s a master of decoding hidden mental frameworks that influence perception, longevity, and decision-making. This is a must-listen if you care about brain optimization, functional medicine, and living smarter, not harder. Together, they break down why different cultures process truth, time, and identity so differently and how these filters influence your beliefs about supplements, fasting, cold therapy, sleep optimization, and more. You’ll also learn why Americans are biologically wired for linear logic, how agrarian versus warrior cultures shaped meditation and nervous system regulation, and how to train your mitochondria to perform like a samurai’s. You’ll Learn: • Why your culture shapes how your brain processes reality • How to shift from linear to systems thinking for better neuroplasticity • The connection between meditation styles, nervous system wiring, and mitochondria • How to apply ancient frameworks to modern biohacking and human performance • Why longevity without financial planning is a broken strategy • How to avoid cognitive bias by decoding relative versus absolute truth This channel is packed with biohacking wisdom, from nootropics and ketosis to Danger Coffee, financial resilience, and how your beliefs about aging could be accelerating it. Whether you’re focused on hacking your brain, upgrading your metabolism, or extending your longevity, this is one of the most unique mind-expanding channels around. It is essential listening for anyone passionate about biohacking longevity, functional aging, mitochondrial testing, and next-gen human optimization. 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 is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. Thank you to our sponsors! Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial. OneSkin | Get 15% off your first purchase at https://oneskin.co/ASPREY with code ASPREY. Generation Lab | Go to https://generationlab.com/, use code DAVE20 for $20 off, and see what your body’s really doing behind the surface. Resources: • Order Richard’s Book “Culture Hacks”: https://a.co/d/9122Q25 • Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com • 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 • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: • 00:00 Trailer • 01:10 Intro • 03:15 Middle East Perception Gap • 06:53 China’s Strategy & Trade • 09:53 Japan vs China Mindsets • 14:28 Logic: East vs West • 18:23 Cultural Tools for Life • 24:23 Global Population Crash • 30:18 Shifting Economic Power • 55:33 Smart Finance Principles • 01:09:28 Real Estate & Policy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The Biohacking Tool That Will Change the World (Mitochondrial Transfusions) : 1304

    The Biohacking Tool That Will Change the World (Mitochondrial Transfusions) : 1304
    Jul 22 2025
    This may be the most cutting-edge life extension technology you’ll hear about for decades. You’ll discover how mitochondrial transfusion, rejuvenation, and repair could reverse biological aging, supercharge your metabolism, and radically extend healthspan—all by upgrading the cellular energy systems that power every function in your body. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with inventor and tech entrepreneur Tom Benson, founder of Mitrix. After launching three successful Silicon Valley companies, Benson shifted focus to one of the most promising frontiers in science: mitochondrial bioreactors designed to regrow your own autologous mitochondria. This isn’t theory—it’s a near-future anti-aging technology poised to transform functional medicine, personalized medicine, and the global conversation around aging reversal. They explore how mitochondrial DNA mismatches affect aging, why mitochondria act like cellular AI cores, and how dysfunction in these ancient organelles contributes to neurodegenerative disease, metabolic decline, and cognitive disorders. You’ll learn how restoring mitochondria could enhance everything from stem cell therapy and nootropics to ketosis, fasting, cold therapy, and even sleep optimization. You’ll Learn: • Why mitochondria may be the real control centers of human biology • How mitochondrial transfusion could revolutionize longevity and functional medicine • The connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and Parkinson’s, autism, and ALS • Why brain optimization and neuroplasticity depend on cellular energy • How stem cell-derived mitochondria compare to nootropics and NAD • What happens when mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA are mismatched • Why early aging might start with your egg cells’ mitochondrial computing • How mitochondrial health influences metabolism, ketosis, and fat storage • Why stress, toxins, and pharmaceuticals like statins wreck mitochondrial function • What it takes to scale mitochondrial bioreactors for widespread human use • How mitochondrial hacking could improve immune function, sleep, and resilience • Why the future of biohacking might begin with testing and upgrading your mitochondria This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about biohacking longevity, functional aging, mitochondrial testing, and next-gen human optimization. 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 is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. Thank you to our sponsors! -ARMRA | Go to https://tryarmra.com/ and use the code DAVE to get 15% off your first order. -Active Skin Repair | Visit http://activeskinrepair.com/ to learn more and use code DAVE to get 20% off your order. Resources: • Mitrix Website: https://www.mitrix.bio/ • Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com • 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 • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: • 00:00 Trailer • 01:42 Intro • 04:33 Mitochondrial DNA & Performance • 08:49 Challenges in Mitochondrial Therapy • 13:31 Future Applications • 19:07 Mitochondria & Longevity • 20:19 Traditional Medicine • 28:50 Space Exploration • 29:35 Human Fragility • 30:19 Aging Revisited • 32:52 Experimental Research • 36:04 Ethics & Risks • 41:24 Mental Health Links • 46:28 Treatment Breakthroughs • 51:01 Personal Longevity Hacks • 54:30 Wrap-Up & Contact See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    54 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
Wealth of information from these podcasts. I binge these at work every single day.

Dave is the best

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Dave Asprey says, always learn the most you can so when you do make changes to your health in the best way and the most correct and complete way possible. So don't just listen to only one episode, more research and homework is always needed when trying to add or make changes to your health. The more you know!
I love Dave Asprey! I'm grateful!

listen and read more

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Hi Dave: I have survived life listening to your podcast. I started listening to you a couple years ago, & you bought me back to life. The first episode on analemma you did I immediately bought the wand I think it was October 2022. I take care of plants in office buildings & residents & I thought it would help some of my plants that seem not to take up nutrients from the soil. But it requires too much time to stir the water.
So when this episode came out about the whole house system I ordered it. also rebloom orchids & will use this system for it as well as my dogs & husband. I love the wand but am super excited for the whole house system, I know this will be another Hugh turning point in my life from you. Thank you so much for bringing this information to the world. You make this plant more amazing.


Kathy Dodd Green & Ever Growing

Analemma inspirations in my world

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I am so enlightened by cutting edge research and the years of experience and practice Dave has put in.

Top notch

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Great way to reframe wanting to pack everything in but figuring out what is best for you.

Info everyone needs to know!

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I am so excited to use these ideas and use the equipment and supplements I have already purchased and to tweak and add others. Thank you for this concise and valuable podcast! So excited to share this with loved ones that are stuck and looking for what to focus on next. This is a must listen episode!

Loved this episode! Reminded me and inspired me,!

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I’ve been listening to Dave Aspreys interviews for many years. I recommend his podcasts for anyone actively seeking health education.

Valuable health information!

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