Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Episode 1439: “I Injected Stem Cells Into My Penis (Here's What Happened)”
Date: March 27, 2026
Guest: Dr. Mauricio Urzola, Co-Founder of RMI Clinic (Costa Rica)

Episode Overview

In this candid and cutting-edge episode, Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Mauricio Urzola at the RMI Clinic in Costa Rica to explore advanced stem cell therapies for cognitive enhancement, sexual health, joint repair, and aesthetic rejuvenation. The conversation moves from the science behind these revolutionary protocols to Dave’s personal experiences as a patient—most notably, the headline-grabbing procedure of stem cell injections into the penis, as well as treatments for the brain, face, and joints. The discussion is equal parts scientific deep-dive and personal testimonial, focused on how biohacking can lead to tangible upgrades in longevity, performance, and quality of life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cognitive Upgrade Protocols

• Neuro-navigation & Precision Delivery
  • The protocol at RMI involves detailed imaging (functional MRI and neuronavigation), allowing doctors to pinpoint underperforming brain regions.
  • Advanced tools like focused ultrasound and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are used to open the blood-brain barrier and precisely target stem cells for brain rejuvenation.
  • [04:24] Dr. Urzola: “We use a neuronavigator...then based on this, we can direct transcranial magnetic stimulation and a focused ultrasound...We’re speaking about millimeters here.”
• Types of Stem Cells Used & Their Function
  • Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used for their anti-inflammatory properties.
  • MU Cells, which are more pluripotent, can “eat” damaged cells and replace them by adopting their identity.
  • The combination of MSCs and MU Cells leads to significant cognitive improvements, validated by multiple clinical scales.
  • [06:57] Dr. Urzola: “Patients who were incapable of dressing...after 15 days, start to be able to dress themselves...We need to increase the number of people we’re treating so we can run proper statistics, but...the patients we've treated so far, 100% of them have shown important clinical improvements.”
• Personal Anecdotes & Results
  • Dave describes his upgrade experience as “like going from normal resolution to 4K” ([06:57]), emphasizing noticeable sharpness in mental function.
  • Strict scientific methodology and safety protocols are central to RMI’s work, with a five-year track record and thousands of patients.
  • Discussion about whether intelligence (IQ) can improve: Dr. Urzola is cautiously optimistic but insists on validated data.
    • [13:24] Dr. Urzola: “If I was to bet on it, yes.”

2. Plasmapheresis for Longevity

• What It Is & Why It Matters
  • Plasmapheresis, akin to a “full-body cleanse,” removes pro-inflammatory mediators and toxins from the blood, replacing plasma and albumin.
  • [17:07] Dr. Urzola: “If this water is dirty, your fish don’t live as well. Plasmapheresis basically cleanses the water of your fish tank.”
  • Recommended frequency: Dave prefers annually, Dr. Urzola suggests two to three times a year for optimal benefit.
  • Both note profound improvements in energy and well-being post-procedure.

3. Orthopedic (Joint) & Soft Tissue Stem Cell Treatments

• Comprehensive Joint Evaluation & Treatment
  • Candidates undergo extensive screening, MRIs, and high-sensitivity ultrasound to ensure suitability.
  • Stem cells are injected into muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone near the joint.
  • [20:05] Dr. Urzola: “You’re going to get a direct injection of a combination of umbilical cord MSCs and MU cells...They all need to be functioning well for you to keep a good joint.”
• Innovation: Drilling Near Growth Plate
  • For severe bone loss, a small hole is drilled under the cartilage growth plate to apply stem cells directly where they can aid repair.
  • Results: Studies show 82.5% of patients experience improvement after one treatment, 93% after two; results published in peer-reviewed journals.
  • [21:17] Dr. Urzola: “In around 8,000 joints that we studied...really good numbers on a very large number of cases.”

4. Sexual Health: Stem Cell Injections for ED & Enhancement

• Shockwave Therapy Plus Stem Cells
  • Combines low-intensity shockwave therapy to create microtraumas in the penile tissue—making it receptive to stem cell engraftment.
  • Protocol successful even for men nonresponsive to ED medications (Viagra/Cialis); over half regain “functional erections.”
  • [25:18] Dr. Urzola: “Around 22 days after the procedure...people were not getting functional erections, and...these are erections that were a good quality for people to perform sexually.”
  • Patients also reported increased duration and some anecdotally noted changes in size, though not formally measured.
  • Dave’s Testimonial:
    • [27:26] Dave Asprey: “I noticed a very substantial difference in length, especially for doing multiple treatments that way. Yeah, it was kind of ridiculous.”
• Protocol Extension for Women
  • Using laser-induced microtrauma, stem cells are injected into the vaginal mucosa for women (especially those perimenopausal), leading to improved tissue health, lubrication, vascularization, and tightness.
  • [29:38] Dr. Urzola: “Rejuvenation is incredible...The laser...validated to improve the tightness...overall improvement of the function.”

5. Aesthetic Applications: Stem Cells for Facial Rejuvenation

• Stem Cell Facelift
  • Deep and superficial dermal trauma is induced via microneedling and radiofrequency; stem cells are then injected to promote healing and rejuvenation via epigenetic signaling.
  • Both Dr. Urzola and Dr. John Papa (plastic surgeons) pioneered these techniques, tracking patient progress with detailed before-and-after analysis.
  • [30:43] Dr. Urzola: “Basically, stem cells will seek for those injury sites, nest there, and start generating a niche that epigenetically reprograms the resident cells to behave better and work better...this is why the skin improves so much.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Cognitive Protocol & Outcomes

  “You can see inside your brain with fine detail exactly where you’re going and what the shape of the field will be. It’s like something from the future.”
  — Dave Asprey [08:21]

• On the Anecdotal vs. Statistical Evidence

  “It’s always anecdotal until it’s your mom that you treated and she improved. At least, something very important is, the patients we’ve treated so far, 100% of them have shown important clinical improvements.”
  — Dr. Urzola [09:49]

• On ED Protocols

  “Around 52% of these patients, refractory to medication, started to get functional erections.”
  — Dr. Urzola [00:27 & 25:16]

• On Personal Outcomes

  “I noticed a very substantial difference in length, especially for doing multiple treatments that way. It was kind of ridiculous.”
  — Dave Asprey [27:26]

• Humor on Metrics

  “On a ruler, how it says in and cm? IN stands for incorrect measure, and CM stands for correct measure.”
  — Dave Asprey [27:26]

• On Plasmapheresis

  “When you get rid of all this inflammation in your body, you just function better...inflammation is not something nice to have around.”
  — Dr. Urzola [18:36]

• On Biohacking Access

  “If you wait five years or ten years, these will be much more widely available because we’re showing that you can do it...some of this stuff is just really cool science fiction. That’s what we’re doing here.”
  — Dave Asprey [33:03]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Stem Cell Injections for Men’s Sexual Health – [00:00], [24:28], [27:26]
• Cognitive Pathways & Brain Upgrade Discussion – [04:24], [06:57], [08:21]
• Plasmapheresis for Detox/Longevity – [16:52], [17:07], [18:36]
• Orthopedic/Joints Stem Cell Treatments – [20:05], [21:17], [23:10]
• Stem Cell Therapy for Women’s Sexual Health – [28:26], [29:38]
• Stem Cell Facials/Aesthetic Uses – [30:37], [30:43]
• Closing Reflections on Protocols, Accessibility, and Future Trends – [33:03]

Tone & Format

• The conversation is direct, playful, and occasionally irreverent—especially regarding sexual health topics—but always underpinned by a rigorous scientific approach and a drive to collect high-quality data.
• Both host and guest stress the importance of safety, replicability, and eventual accessibility of currently high-end biohacking interventions.

Conclusion

This episode pulls back the curtain on the future of advanced regenerative medicine and biohacking, blending clinical rigor with personal experimentation. Dave Asprey and Dr. Urzola showcase how targeted stem cell therapies—once science fiction—are now showing real promise for cognitive enhancement, physical health, sexual function, and longevity. The message is clear: while these treatments are cutting-edge and currently expensive, they pave the way for broader, more affordable access as the science matures and protocols are refined.

For more information:

• Visit daveasprey.com/RMI for details on protocols discussed in this episode.
• Entry-level biohacking options like Axo Health and Upgrade Labs are mentioned for broader access to longevity technologies.

End of Summary