Biohacking News Weekly Update : 1383

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey - Biohacking News Weekly Update (Ep. 1383)

Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Dave Asprey

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Overview of Episode

In this "Weekly Upgrade" episode, Dave Asprey covers the most significant recent developments in biohacking, longevity science, and human performance. The episode spotlights trending topics like supplement regulation, breakthrough heart health diagnostics, sauna use for detoxification, psychedelics’ impact on metabolism, and cutting-edge mitochondrial research. Asprey distills actionable advice for listeners aiming to optimize their biology in an era where technology and wellness science are advancing rapidly.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supplement Label Changes and Consumer Caution

[01:38] - [02:56]

• The FDA is considering loosening rules on the DSHEA disclaimer (“these statements have not been evaluated...”) for dietary supplements. The disclaimer may now only appear once, not beside every claim.
• Dave’s Warning: This reduces visible oversight and makes health claims seem more “legit,” which may mislead consumers. Brands may push unsubstantiated claims with less consumer scrutiny.
• Actionable Take:
  • Vet brands carefully; the onus is on consumers to educate themselves about supplement efficacy and safety.

Notable Quote:

“Labels could look more legitimate precisely when oversight is getting lighter... More people can easily get tricked by over promised and unsubstantiated results.”
— Dave Asprey [01:49]

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2. Next-Level Heart Diagnostics: CardiacQ

[02:56] - [04:13]

• Mayo Clinic and SandboxAQ are testing CardiacQ: a non-invasive scanner reading magnetic fields around the heart—no contact, no radiation.
• Potential: Detects ischemia/blockages much earlier—potentially before any symptoms or heart damage occur.
• Asprey notes that quick, noninvasive screenings could soon be routine, possibly even wearable.

Asprey’s Basics Reminder:
Until these innovations are common, traditional markers—blood pressure, glucose, heart rate, VO2 max, and especially sleep—are critical early warning tools.

Notable Quote:

"We're inching toward a world where diagnostics get ahead of symptoms... If this gains traction, it's only a matter of time until it becomes far more accessible in a wearable. Now that is awesome."
— Dave Asprey [04:00]

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3. Saunas, Sweating, and Detoxification (Microplastics Myth-Busting)

[04:13] - [06:17]

• Claim: Sauna sessions can “sweat out” microplastics.
• Science Check: Sweat removes BPAs, phthalates, and other dissolved plastic chemicals, but not actual plastic particles.
• Practical Takeaways:
  • Effective sweat for detox requires high heat; dry saunas are best, not standard exercise or steam saunas.
  • Complement with exposure reduction (filtered water, less plastic packaging, clean food storage).
  • Hydrate well: Dehydration cancels out sauna benefits.

Tech Recommendation:
Asprey endorses Sunlighten infrared (if budget allows) but notes affordable portable dry saunas now exist.

Notable Quote:

"15 minutes at 180 degrees and you might just be doing the best known thing for removing microplastics from your body... But you're not going to see a measurable result by just your daily four mile jog."
— Dave Asprey [05:45]

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4. Psychedelics and Metabolic Health: A New Frontier

[06:17] - [09:26]

• Industry update: Brian Johnson tested psilocybin (under supervision) to see if it physically impacts longevity markers.
• Result:
  • His continuous glucose monitoring showed a substantial (8%) improvement in average glucose and zero time above 125 mg/dL post-session.
  • HbA1c dropped by 6.8%—a result normally requiring months of diabetes medication (e.g., Metformin).
• Implication: Suggests a possible “brain reset” effect on body-wide metabolic regulation—potential rewiring of brain-liver-pancreas loops.
• Caveat: Early evidence; clinical trials needed.

Notable Quote:

"Seeing it happen after one psychedelic session suggests there might be a link between the brain's reset and how the liver and pancreas manage blood sugar... Maybe some metabolic problems come from the brain-body communication loops."
— Dave Asprey [08:23]

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5. Mitochondrial Research: Cox7RP and Lifespan Extension

[11:42] - [14:32]

• Mouse study: Increasing Cox7RP (a mitochondrial protein) led to 6.5% longer lifespan, better insulin sensitivity, lower liver fat, increased endurance, and improved lipid profiles.
• Mechanism: Cox7RP organizes mitochondrial "super complexes" that optimize energy (ATP) production.
• Takeaway: Asprey emphasizes that while dramatic molecular tweaks are exciting, foundational practices (strength training, aerobic work, blood sugar control) likely protect mitochondrial super complexes.
• Bottom Line: Caring for your mitochondria may be the simplest, most effective longevity “hack” of all.

Notable Quote:

“The anti aging secret might not be some exotic molecule at all. It might be the same thing mitochondria have been asking for since the beginning... When your cells make energy like a young person, your lifespan just becomes a side effect.”
— Dave Asprey [13:37]

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Actionable Summary & Integration

[13:45] - [14:32]

• Be a skeptical, educated supplement consumer.
• Track your heart health basics for early warning and future diagnostics.
• Use dry sauna deliberately, combine with exposure reduction and hydration.
• Invest in your mitochondrial health through daily habits.
• Stay plugged in to the latest science; incremental self-care “upgrades” add up over time.

Asprey's Weekly Motivation:

"The goal is to stay around long enough to let the science catch up to longevity, terminal velocity. One day at a time. We'll keep doing it together."
— Dave Asprey [14:27]

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Memorable Moments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | FDA Supplement Label Changes | 01:38–02:56 | | CardiacQ Heart Diagnostics | 02:56–04:13 | | Saunas & Microplastics Detox | 04:13–06:17 | | Psychedelics & Glucose Control | 06:17–09:26 | | Mitochondrial Research (Cox7RP) | 11:42–14:32 |

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Tone & Style

Dave Asprey’s tone is direct, data-driven, and occasionally playful (“mitochondria fetishist”). He blends practical, actionable tips with speculative excitement about coming advances, all with a strong emphasis on personal agency and informed skepticism.

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For Listeners New and Old

Whether you’re deep into biohacking or just starting to upgrade your health, this episode gives concise updates on headline developments with critical context and real-world applications—no hype, ads, or fluff included.

Transcript

[A]

I'm Dave Asprey. That's Dave Spelled D A I V.

[B]

E. And this is your 10 minute.

[A]

Weekly upgrade on the biggest stories in biohacking, longevity and the world of health. Let's go.

[B]

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[C]

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[A]

Here'S the first story this week, and it caught my attention because almost everybody listening takes supplements. The FDA just signaled that it could loosen warning label rules for dietary supplements. Right now, companies are supposed to print that DSHEA disclaimer next to every health claim. The proposed change would let them include it only once, somewhere on the label. And they've admitted they haven't really enforced the stricter rule anyway. So what does that mean for you? Labels could look more legitimate precisely when oversight is getting lighter. Claims like supports healthy blood sugar or promotes longevity pathways can start to feel like vetted medical statements. If that tiny disclaimer is easier to miss, more people can easily get tricked by over promised and unsubstantiated results. Supplements can certainly move the needle on performance and longevity, but they demand self education. There are way too many supplements that are making claims that they could never live by. Unfortunately, this would make things even worse. Now more than ever, do you really need to vet the brands that you put in your body? Which is why I will always hold the human upgrade to the highest standard of only if I would take it myself. Let's shift to something emerging in cardiovascular diagnostics. Mayo Clinic is testing a device called CardiacQ with a company called Sandboxaq. It's a non invasive heart scanner that reads the magnetic fields generated around your heart. There's no radiation and no contact required. They're comparing readings to invasive angiography to see if it can spot ischemia or blockages earlier and more accurately. This matters because most cardiac diagnostics catch problems after damage has occurred. Heart attacks often surprise people who felt fine. A tool that can detect subtle irregularities sooner could help intervene before something catastrophic happens. Imagine a future checkup where instead of just reading an ecg, the clinic runs a field scan that shows how efficiently your heart muscle is firing and whether something looks off. We're inching toward a world where diagnostics get ahead of symptoms and frankly, if this gains traction, it's only a matter of time until it becomes far more accessible in a wearable now that is awesome. Until that future arrives, the basics still matter most. Blood pressure, glucose, resting heart rate, VO2 max, sleep, sleep and sleep. Oh, and did I mention sleep. Those are your early detection tools today. Keep them trending in the right direction. Saunas, Sweating and Detox there's been a surge in claims that sauna sessions can sweep microplastics out of your body. This might be the first breakthrough we have in the reduction of all the pent up plastics that most of us have. So let's break down what the science actually shows. Several studies confirm that sweat contains measurable amounts of bpa, phthalates and other plastic related chemicals. In some cases, these show up in sweat even when blood or urine tests are negative. That means sweat is a real detox pathway for certain chemical exposures. But sweating hasn't been shown to remove intact microplastic particles themselves. That part is speculation. The real benefit seems to be removing dissolved chemical compounds that leach from plastics and you're not going to see a measurable result by just your daily four mile jog. It's looking like you need some serious sweat to make a difference. So sauna is still a powerful longevity tool and not just any steam sauna. Dry saunas Specifically dry saunas are particularly useful because they can more easily get to higher temps and and heat up the skin before they heat up internal organs. Now I'm still a huge fan of the sun lighten infrared saunas if your budget allows, they're the best in the business. But if you want a cheaper fix, look for some of the new portable dry saunas on the market that can help you get these results. 15 minutes at 180 degrees and you might just be doing the best known thing for removing microplastics from your body. Combine it with exposure reduction, filtered water, less plastic packaging, clean air and safer food storage. Oh, and please make sure you are hydrating all day. A dehydrated sauna session doesn't do you any favors. Psychedelics and Longevity Biology we usually hear about psilocybin helping people emotionally. That's real. Lower stress and better mental health can support longer life. But my friend Brian Johnson recently ran a guided psilocybin session in Oregon and tested something different. Could one psychedelic experience measurably affect the body systems that control aging? He measured almost 250 things before and after the session. Not just mood or insight, but brain activity, stress hormones, heart rate variability and blood sugar control. The surprising part was metabolic his continuous glucose monitor showed that his blood sugar control improved dramatically after the session. His average glucose dropped by about 8% and his blood sugar swings became more stable. Time spent above 125mg per deciliter went to zero. His estimated long term marker HBA1C dropped from 4.7 to 4.4. That's about a 6.8% improvement. For context, the diabetes drug metformin usually takes months to make that kind of change. Seeing it happen after one psychedelic session suggests there might be a link between the brain's reset and how the liver and pancreas manage blood sugar. This is one person, and we need real clinical trials. But it raises an intriguing possibility. Maybe some metabolic problems come from the brain. Body communication loops and psychedelics could help rewire those signals. I'm not yet recommending psilocybin as a treatment for longevity or diabetes. It's early days and these substances require careful supervision. These are the sorts of studies with complex body connections that bring us true breakthroughs. And if you're interested in learning more, I'm going to be diving much deeper into the world of psychedelics in 2026 as we all explore the amazing new effects that these compounds have on our longevity. Hey everyone, Sorry to interrupt, but I'm watching a substack newsletter and here's why you should care. I'm done with algorithms deciding what you see. This is a direct line between us. Deep insights on trending biohacking topics delivered straight to your inbox. Free subscribers get weekly analysis and curated recommendations from my favorite protocols and brands. Paid subscribers get exclusive deep dives, weekly monthly Q and A sessions with a coach, the live streams of our podcast recordings, and full archive access, all for just $15 a month. Plus I'm offering limited VIP member spots with quarterly calls with me, a monthly call with a biohacking coach, and more to come start [e-mail] upgrade whenever you're ready. No algorithms, no BS, just us. See you in your inbox.

[B]

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[C]

I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts are not only beautiful, but useful every single day. And Lenox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations. And their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. Spice Village transforms everyday spices into inspired memories filled with warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage.

[A]

And here's the final story which takes us into mitochondrial research. Bear with me as it gets a little nerdy. A new mouse study boosted expression of a mitochondrial protein called COX7RP and saw lifespans increase by about 6 and a half percent. The mice also had better insulin sensitivity, improved lipid profiles, greater endurance and less fat accumulation in the liver. Now I know that you could give mice almost anything to improve its lifespan, but it's this specific protein increase that really caught my eye. As a mitochondria fetishist, Cox7RP helps assemble mitochondrial respiratory super complexes, the machinery responsible for converting food and oxygen into ATP. When that machinery is organized more efficiently, energy production improves more ATP, more daily energy, better mood, and longer lifespan. We won't be editing mitochondrial proteins in humans anytime soon, but the message is clear. Aging is strongly tied to mitochondrial resilience. Big surprise. And most of the lifestyle practices we talk about strength training, aerobic conditioning, stable blood sugar likely help maintain these same super complexes by reducing metabolic stress. So here's the punchline. The anti aging secret might not be some exotic molecule at all. It might be the same thing mitochondria have been asking for since the beginning. Keep the engines clean, keep the wiring tight, give them the conditions to build and maintain those super complexes. Supplements and future therapies will help, but the biology is already telling us what works. Mitochondria don't lie. They reward the inputs that help them breathe, repair and burn clean fuel. And when your cells make energy like a young person, your lifespan just becomes a side effect. So here's how to integrate the big ideas from this week. Be a smarter consumer of supplement claims and stay skeptical of labels. Track heart health basics so you have a baseline when better diagnostics arrive. Use sauna deliberately and pair it with exposure control and lots of hydration and invest in your mitochondria every day. Treat them like your family and they'll pay you back in more years. With your family. Technology will keep evolving fast, but biology still responds to fundamentals. By listening to this podcast, you stay curious, stay up to date, and can act on your health before anyone else. Remember, the goal is to stay around long enough to let the science catch up to longevity, terminal velocity. One day at a time. We'll keep doing it together.

[B]

All right guys, that is your weekly biohacking roundup. Join me again next Friday for another rundown of the biggest health stories in the news.

[A]

Enjoy your weekend.

[D]

A Human Upgrade, formerly Bulletproof Radio, was created and is hosted by Dave Asprey. The information contained in this podcast is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended for the purposes of diagnosing, treating, curing, or preventing any disease. Before using any products referenced on the podcast, consult with your healthcare provider carefully read all labels and heed all directions and cautions that accompany the products. Information found or received through the podcast should not be used in place of a consultation or advice from a healthcare provider. If you suspect you have a medical problem or should you have any healthcare questions, please promptly call or see your healthcare provider. This podcast, including Dave Asprey and the producers, disclaim responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own and this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guest qualifications or credibility. This podcast may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to herein. This podcast is owned by Bulletproof Media.