The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Episode: Biohacking News Weekly Update : 1388

Host: Dave Asprey
Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

Dave Asprey delivers a rapid-fire, 10-minute roundup of the week’s most important biohacking, longevity, and health technology news. This episode focuses on new policies affecting access to longevity drugs, evidence on fasting strategies, the science behind chocolate and biological age, emerging organ-specific aging clocks, and breakthroughs in skin health with copper peptides. Each story comes with practical advice for listeners aiming to upgrade their health and resilience, emphasizing measurement, experimentation, and targeted interventions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drug Pricing Reform: Implications for Longevity Medicine

Timestamps: 02:34–05:10

• Summary:
  The Trump administration has announced new drug pricing deals aligning US prices more closely with those in other wealthy countries.
• These changes could make expensive longevity drugs—GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors, and biologics—far more accessible for regular users, not just the ultra-wealthy.
• Dave explores how affordability is as important as mechanism:

  “The mechanism doesn't matter if you can't afford it... If it's stuck in concierge medicine land, it's not changing population health.” (04:02)

• Advises listeners to frequently check insurance coverage and pharmacy costs, as policy moves quickly and could soon dramatically expand access.
• Cautions that the benefits depend on whether savings are passed to consumers or pocketed by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.
• Action Step:
  “If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting on one of these compounds because of cost, this might be your window.” (05:00)

2. Fasting: New Evidence, Realistic Approaches

Timestamps: 05:11–07:40

• Summary:
  New research compares three popular fasting strategies—5:2 intermittent fasting, 10-hour time-restricted eating, and daily calorie restriction—in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Key finding:

  “All three improved blood sugar and supported weight loss. So if someone tells you there’s only one right way to do this, they’re wrong.” (05:38)

• The 5:2 approach (two very low-calorie days per week) led to bigger improvements in fasting glucose, triglycerides, and insulin sensitivity than daily restriction—even with similar weight loss.
• This matters because those biomarkers directly link to cardiovascular risk, fatty liver disease, and biological aging.
• 5:2 is also found to be easier for most people to sustain compared to daily caloric restriction.
• Actionable Advice:
  “Pick one fasting structure and run it as a real experiment for eight to twelve weeks. I'm talking actual data—continuous glucose monitor if you can afford it—fasting insulin, triglycerides, waist measurement, sleep quality, and training performance.” (07:14)
• Emphasizes using data, not dogma:

  “Keep what works, drop what doesn't.” (07:35)

3. Chocolate and Biological Age: It’s Not Just a Treat

Timestamps: 07:41–09:03

• Summary:
  Recent study in "Aging US" links higher theobromine (the primary methylxanthine in cocoa) to slower biological aging as measured by DNA methylation clocks.
• Dave clarifies:

  “Most chocolate is sugar with a health halo, not to mention the oxalates that cocoa has.” (07:48)

• Theobromine is a specific, measurable compound—gentler than caffeine and beneficial for cardiovascular function (vasodilation, blood flow), but still can disrupt sleep in sensitive individuals.
• Urges self-awareness and moderation:

  “If you tolerate cocoa, go very high cocoa, very low sugar in modest amounts. I’m talking 85% cacao or higher. Not milk chocolate. ...Always protect your sleep first. Sleep beats chocolate every time.” (08:45)

• Supplement options like CocoVia are mentioned for those who don’t want the sugar or potential downsides of traditional chocolate.

4. Rethinking Biological Age: Organ-Specific Clocks

Timestamps: 09:05–10:36

• Summary:
  New research debunks the idea of a single “biological age” metric, demonstrating that each organ system (brain, heart, arteries, kidneys, liver, immune system) ages at its own pace.
• Organ-specific age gaps are much better predictors of disease and mortality risks than overall blended scores.
• Dave explains the implications:

  “You can have a decent overall biological age and still have one organ system aging way faster than the rest. And that weak link? That's where your risk is hiding.” (09:20)

• This individualized approach guides targeted intervention:
  • Fast-aging brain? Fix sleep, blood pressure, glucose regulation, and inflammation.
  • Artery issues? Focus on lipids, nitric oxide, zone 2 cardio, and possibly medication.
• Call to Action:

  “Let’s all stop chasing one magic biological age number. Start asking which organ system is aging fastest and what specifically moves the needle for that system with the least risk and the most evidence?” (10:22)

5. Copper Peptides for Skin and Systemic Health

Timestamps: 10:37–12:09

• Summary:
  Focus on copper peptides, especially GHK-Cu, which are regaining research interest in skin rejuvenation.
• A recent study shows topical copper peptides significantly increase collagen synthesis, outperforming tretinoin over short time frames.
• They also aid wound healing, antioxidant protection, elastin production, and hydration.
• Dave gives practical skin care advice, emphasizing cyclical approaches:

  “Remodel when you’re resilient: retinoids, exfoliants, aggressive actives. Repair when you're inflamed: copper peptides, ceramides, barrier support.” (11:52)

• Points out that skin reflects systemic health (mitochondrial function, inflammation, insulin resistance).
• Reminds listeners:

  “Never skip the basics: sun protection, adequate protein intake, blood sugar control, and sleep.” (12:04)

• Mentions a deep-dive episode with RO Wellness for further info on copper peptides.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The mechanism doesn't matter if you can't afford it. ...If it's stuck in concierge medicine land, it's not changing population health.” —Dave Asprey (04:02)
• “All three [fasting protocols] improved blood sugar and supported weight loss. ...If someone tells you there’s only one right way to do this, they're wrong.” —Dave Asprey (05:38)
• “Most chocolate is sugar with a health halo.” —Dave Asprey (07:48)
• “Sleep beats chocolate every time. If it disrupts your sleep, it's not a longevity hack, it's a liability.” —Dave Asprey (08:53)
• “You can have a decent overall biological age and still have one organ system aging way faster than the rest. And that weak link? That’s where your risk is hiding.” —Dave Asprey (09:20)
• “Stop treating your skin like a chemistry experiment every single night. ...Think in cycles.” —Dave Asprey (11:36)
• “The future of health isn't one miracle hack. It's precision. It's measurement. It's knowing which lever matters most for your body right now. Stay dangerous.” —Dave Asprey (12:19)

Actionable Takeaways for This Week

1. Check Prices on Cardiometabolic Drugs:
   • For out-of-pocket buyers, policy shifts may soon lower costs; check your formulary and coverage frequently.
2. Run a Real-World Fasting Experiment:
   • Choose a protocol, gather biotracking data, and adjust based on results, not theory.
3. Chocolate Biohack—If You Can Tolerate It:
   • Stick to 85% cacao or higher, minimal sugar, and avoid if it disrupts your sleep.
4. Think Organ-By-Organ for Aging:
   • Target your fastest-aging system with evidence-backed interventions rather than relying on a single bio-age metric.
5. Cycle Skin Care:
   • Shift intensity based on resilience and inflammation—remodel and repair as needed, and never neglect the basics.

Closing Thoughts

Dave wraps up with a reminder: the future of health is precision and personal measurement, not miracle protocols—and encourages listeners to focus on “which lever matters most for your body right now” (12:19). The episode delivers science-backed context, memorable lines, and practical biohacks to implement immediately.

Next Episode: Join Dave next Friday for more cutting-edge biohacking news and actionable insights.