Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Episode 1376: The Real Reason Your Face is Aging So Fast
Release Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Dave Asprey
Guest: Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD (Oro Wellness)

Overview

In this cutting-edge episode, Dave Asprey dives with Dr. Nayan Patel into the advanced science behind skin aging and rejuvenation. Focusing on copper tripeptide GHK-Cu and innovative topical delivery systems, the conversation is a "master class" in how to truly upgrade your skin and hair health from the inside out—far beyond superficial cosmetic fixes. The discussion also covers the pitfalls of common skincare ingredients, best protocols for real visible change, and the impact of essential trace minerals (copper, zinc) on mitochondrial health, gray hair, and skin repair.

Key Topics and Insights

1. GHK-Cu: The Super Peptide for Skin & Hair

Timestamps: 00:53–05:01, 11:07–15:02, 32:45–36:15

What is GHK?
- GHK is a peptide fragment from albumin; when bound with copper, it becomes GHK-Cu, a regeneration signaller for tissue and skin repair.
- Dr. Patel: “GHK by itself does not do anything for us. It has to combine with the copper for it to trigger this response.” (03:00)
Downregulation with Age:
- GHK-Cu levels are high in youth but drop as we age, contributing to slower repair.
Direct Results:
- In human trials, 80–90% of patients reported firmer, denser skin within a week. Fine wrinkles were reduced within four weeks, even in older age groups.
- Dr. Patel: “For them to noticeably change in less than four weeks is kind of unheard of.” (00:14, 11:35)

2. Delivery Systems: Why Topical Works Best

Timestamps: 05:21–11:07, 19:09–22:32

Limitations of Orals & Injections:
- Oral peptides are broken down by gut enzymes.
- IV injections can be ineffective due to rapid breakdown.
Breakthrough Tech:
- Dr. Patel’s polysaccharide (cyclodextrin) delivery system—originally developed for glutathione—enables fast, deep skin penetration of peptides within 30 seconds.
- Asprey: “I firmly believe your polysaccharide delivery system is a fundamental thing we need to get things into the body.” (15:19)
Purity Matters:
- Higher-grade, injectable-purity peptides are used to avoid pushing contaminants into the skin.

3. Copper, Zinc, and Gray Hair: The Biohacker’s Dilemma

Timestamps: 09:39–13:58, 36:04–40:03

Asprey’s Conundrum:
- High zinc intake for mitochondrial function depletes copper, potentially accelerating gray hair.
- Asprey: “Do I want weak mitochondria and brown hair, or strong mitochondria and gray hair?” (10:17)
GHK-Cu Serum Benefits:
- Restores copper locally, supporting hair pigment and thickness.
- Especially impactful for women, whose hair loss is often driven by nutritional deficiency.
- Dr. Patel: “For women, I think it’s going to have much, much better result than the guys would have.” (35:52)

4. Skincare Protocols: Application and Layering

Timestamps: 21:07–23:06, 25:26–26:36, 52:00–54:44

Order Matters:
- Dextrin-based (Oro) serums go on first, before any other topical products.
- Ideal order: Citrine (Vitamin C) → Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) → Moisturizer/cream.
- Using other products first may block or reduce absorption.
Recommended “Upgrade” Protocol:
- For rapid results: 10–12 drops of GHK-Cu serum, 2-3x daily to face/neck; for 4–6 weeks.
- Maintenance: 5–10 drops once or twice daily.
Affordable and Safe:
- $600 protocol for two months (~equivalent to a single round of Botox).
- No known contraindications for topical use; avoid injectables during pregnancy.

5. Other Ingredients and Practices

Timestamps: 18:14–21:07, 26:37–27:12, 27:29–29:48, 30:09–31:59

Vitamin C Topicals:
- Potent collagen stimulator, not just an antioxidant.
- Oro sources ultra-pure, tapioca-based Vitamin C.
Retinoids:
- Not recommended; cause excessive cell turnover, risk skin thinning.
Creativity in Skincare:
- Stacking with lasers, microneedling, etc.—GHK is compatible, but microneedling redundant.
Snail/Animal Proteins:
- Molecules are too large to penetrate the skin effectively (outside of cyclodextrin tech).

6. Safety, Sourcing, and Philosophy

Timestamps: 16:04–18:14, 28:16–29:48, 56:24–57:09

Purity Is Paramount:
- Dr. Patel uses only injectable-grade ingredients due to powerful delivery technology.
- DIY or poorly sourced products risk pushing mold, heavy metals, or bacteria into the skin.
Skin as a Window:
- Quality of skin health reflects liver and metabolic function.
- Asprey: “Skin is the largest organ in the body. Taking care of your skin is a really good long-term plan.” (23:06)
Life Philosophy:
- Minimal routines, maximal effect.
- Dr. Patel: “If I can put everything into one serum, I’ll do that in a heartbeat.” (26:26)
- Asprey: “You’re not really a skincare brand. You’re a pharmaceutical delivery system brand that also does skincare.” (55:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trial Results:
“Within the first week, they saw firmness and density improving in almost 80 to 90%. They also saw a reduction in the fine wrinkles.”
—Dr. Nayan Patel (00:00)
On Peptides & Age:
“GHK is a signal of protein breakdown then… When the body sees that, it says, I need to make more skin and hair and collagen and connective tissue.”
—Dave Asprey (03:16)
On Topical Safety:
“If I make the skin permeable to all these ingredients, what else is going inside?”
—Dr. Patel (16:25)
On Gray Hair & Copper:
“My energy is better than ever. So I’m in this weird limbo—I need the copper. And you have the most effective way to get copper into my hair and my skin that I think exists.”
—Dave Asprey (13:27)
On Modern Skincare:
“Most people have either catalase or SOD issues where they have too much hydrogen peroxide. That’s what they’re causing the grayish of the hair.”
—Dr. Patel (12:20)
On Routine Simplicity:
“If you’re gonna live to 180, you can’t have too many routines that you cannot fulfill yourself for rest of your life.”
—Dr. Patel (25:26)
On Purity in Products:
“With our technology, the way we are driving these products inside your skin, I cannot use topical grade, cosmetic grade materials.”
—Dr. Patel (29:02)
On Cost & Value:
“That’s pretty much what Botox costs. Actually less … But this is non-toxic.”
—Dave Asprey (55:08)
On Biohacking Mindset:
“You don’t think about this like skin people. You think about this like pharmacist people. It’s cool.”
—Dave Asprey (55:20)

Essential Protocols and "How-To" (Quick Guide)

GHK-Cu Skin Density Protocol

Dosage: 10–12 drops, 2-3x/day on face and neck.
Duration: 4-6 weeks for visible results.
Product: Use Oro Copper Tripeptide serum, injectable-grade.

Maintenance Protocol

Dosage: 5–10 drops, 1–2x/day.
Application order:
1. Dextrin-based serum (GHK, Citrine Vit. C)
2. Follow with creams/moisturizer

Stacking with Procedures

Laser, microneedling: Pre-treat with GHK or glutathione for better results and faster healing.

Best for Whom?

Both men and women (especially effective for women’s hair issues).
Any age group; clinical trial success up to age 77.

Additional Insights

Topical glutathione & vitamin C both support healthy skin, but GHK-Cu is the main tool for visible anti-aging.
Copper deficiency is on the rise due to widespread zinc supplementation.
No evidence for GHK-Cu causing hyperpigmentation or adverse skin reactions; injectables not recommended during pregnancy out of caution.
Biohacking philosophy: Minimal routine, maximal, data-backed effect.

Conclusion

This episode is a deep-dive into real, science-driven skincare and anti-aging with actionable protocols for biohackers and anyone serious about longevity. Dr. Nayan Patel’s work is pushing beyond cosmetic improvements, delivering true "human upgrade" protocols—backed by data and bioavailability. Dave Asprey’s real-world use and no-BS approach ground the conversation for DIY experimenters and science-geeks alike.

Timestamps for Key Segments

Introduction to GHK & Skin Science – 00:53–05:01
Delivery System Deep Dive – 05:21–11:07
Hair, Copper, and Gray – 09:39–13:58
Protocol Details & Application – 21:07–23:06; 52:00–54:44
Product Safety & Sourcing – 16:04–18:14; 29:02–29:48
Retinoids, Peptide Sourcing – 26:36–27:12; 27:29–29:48
Routine Simplicity & Longevity – 25:26–26:26
Final Protocol Recommendations – 52:00–54:44

For More:

auroWellness.com
Discount code: DAVE10 (as mentioned)

This summary is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting new regimens.

Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Episode 1376: The Real Reason Your Face is Aging So Fast
Release Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Dave Asprey
Guest: Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD (Oro Wellness)

Overview

Key Topics and Insights

1. GHK-Cu: The Super Peptide for Skin & Hair

Timestamps: 00:53–05:01, 11:07–15:02, 32:45–36:15

What is GHK?
- GHK is a peptide fragment from albumin; when bound with copper, it becomes GHK-Cu, a regeneration signaller for tissue and skin repair.
- Dr. Patel: “GHK by itself does not do anything for us. It has to combine with the copper for it to trigger this response.” (03:00)
Downregulation with Age:
- GHK-Cu levels are high in youth but drop as we age, contributing to slower repair.
Direct Results:
- In human trials, 80–90% of patients reported firmer, denser skin within a week. Fine wrinkles were reduced within four weeks, even in older age groups.
- Dr. Patel: “For them to noticeably change in less than four weeks is kind of unheard of.” (00:14, 11:35)

2. Delivery Systems: Why Topical Works Best

Timestamps: 05:21–11:07, 19:09–22:32

Limitations of Orals & Injections:
- Oral peptides are broken down by gut enzymes.
- IV injections can be ineffective due to rapid breakdown.
Breakthrough Tech:
- Dr. Patel’s polysaccharide (cyclodextrin) delivery system—originally developed for glutathione—enables fast, deep skin penetration of peptides within 30 seconds.
- Asprey: “I firmly believe your polysaccharide delivery system is a fundamental thing we need to get things into the body.” (15:19)
Purity Matters:
- Higher-grade, injectable-purity peptides are used to avoid pushing contaminants into the skin.

3. Copper, Zinc, and Gray Hair: The Biohacker’s Dilemma

Timestamps: 09:39–13:58, 36:04–40:03

Asprey’s Conundrum:
- High zinc intake for mitochondrial function depletes copper, potentially accelerating gray hair.
- Asprey: “Do I want weak mitochondria and brown hair, or strong mitochondria and gray hair?” (10:17)
GHK-Cu Serum Benefits:
- Restores copper locally, supporting hair pigment and thickness.
- Especially impactful for women, whose hair loss is often driven by nutritional deficiency.
- Dr. Patel: “For women, I think it’s going to have much, much better result than the guys would have.” (35:52)

4. Skincare Protocols: Application and Layering

Timestamps: 21:07–23:06, 25:26–26:36, 52:00–54:44

Order Matters:
- Dextrin-based (Oro) serums go on first, before any other topical products.
- Ideal order: Citrine (Vitamin C) → Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) → Moisturizer/cream.
- Using other products first may block or reduce absorption.
Recommended “Upgrade” Protocol:
- For rapid results: 10–12 drops of GHK-Cu serum, 2-3x daily to face/neck; for 4–6 weeks.
- Maintenance: 5–10 drops once or twice daily.
Affordable and Safe:
- $600 protocol for two months (~equivalent to a single round of Botox).
- No known contraindications for topical use; avoid injectables during pregnancy.

5. Other Ingredients and Practices

Timestamps: 18:14–21:07, 26:37–27:12, 27:29–29:48, 30:09–31:59

Vitamin C Topicals:
- Potent collagen stimulator, not just an antioxidant.
- Oro sources ultra-pure, tapioca-based Vitamin C.
Retinoids:
- Not recommended; cause excessive cell turnover, risk skin thinning.
Creativity in Skincare:
- Stacking with lasers, microneedling, etc.—GHK is compatible, but microneedling redundant.
Snail/Animal Proteins:
- Molecules are too large to penetrate the skin effectively (outside of cyclodextrin tech).

6. Safety, Sourcing, and Philosophy

Timestamps: 16:04–18:14, 28:16–29:48, 56:24–57:09

Purity Is Paramount:
- Dr. Patel uses only injectable-grade ingredients due to powerful delivery technology.
- DIY or poorly sourced products risk pushing mold, heavy metals, or bacteria into the skin.
Skin as a Window:
- Quality of skin health reflects liver and metabolic function.
- Asprey: “Skin is the largest organ in the body. Taking care of your skin is a really good long-term plan.” (23:06)
Life Philosophy:
- Minimal routines, maximal effect.
- Dr. Patel: “If I can put everything into one serum, I’ll do that in a heartbeat.” (26:26)
- Asprey: “You’re not really a skincare brand. You’re a pharmaceutical delivery system brand that also does skincare.” (55:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trial Results:
“Within the first week, they saw firmness and density improving in almost 80 to 90%. They also saw a reduction in the fine wrinkles.”
—Dr. Nayan Patel (00:00)
On Peptides & Age:
“GHK is a signal of protein breakdown then… When the body sees that, it says, I need to make more skin and hair and collagen and connective tissue.”
—Dave Asprey (03:16)
On Topical Safety:
“If I make the skin permeable to all these ingredients, what else is going inside?”
—Dr. Patel (16:25)
On Gray Hair & Copper:
“My energy is better than ever. So I’m in this weird limbo—I need the copper. And you have the most effective way to get copper into my hair and my skin that I think exists.”
—Dave Asprey (13:27)
On Modern Skincare:
“Most people have either catalase or SOD issues where they have too much hydrogen peroxide. That’s what they’re causing the grayish of the hair.”
—Dr. Patel (12:20)
On Routine Simplicity:
“If you’re gonna live to 180, you can’t have too many routines that you cannot fulfill yourself for rest of your life.”
—Dr. Patel (25:26)
On Purity in Products:
“With our technology, the way we are driving these products inside your skin, I cannot use topical grade, cosmetic grade materials.”
—Dr. Patel (29:02)
On Cost & Value:
“That’s pretty much what Botox costs. Actually less … But this is non-toxic.”
—Dave Asprey (55:08)
On Biohacking Mindset:
“You don’t think about this like skin people. You think about this like pharmacist people. It’s cool.”
—Dave Asprey (55:20)

Essential Protocols and "How-To" (Quick Guide)

GHK-Cu Skin Density Protocol

Dosage: 10–12 drops, 2-3x/day on face and neck.
Duration: 4-6 weeks for visible results.
Product: Use Oro Copper Tripeptide serum, injectable-grade.

Maintenance Protocol

Dosage: 5–10 drops, 1–2x/day.
Application order:
1. Dextrin-based serum (GHK, Citrine Vit. C)
2. Follow with creams/moisturizer

Stacking with Procedures

Laser, microneedling: Pre-treat with GHK or glutathione for better results and faster healing.

Best for Whom?

Both men and women (especially effective for women’s hair issues).
Any age group; clinical trial success up to age 77.

Additional Insights

Topical glutathione & vitamin C both support healthy skin, but GHK-Cu is the main tool for visible anti-aging.
Copper deficiency is on the rise due to widespread zinc supplementation.
No evidence for GHK-Cu causing hyperpigmentation or adverse skin reactions; injectables not recommended during pregnancy out of caution.
Biohacking philosophy: Minimal routine, maximal, data-backed effect.

Conclusion

Timestamps for Key Segments

Introduction to GHK & Skin Science – 00:53–05:01
Delivery System Deep Dive – 05:21–11:07
Hair, Copper, and Gray – 09:39–13:58
Protocol Details & Application – 21:07–23:06; 52:00–54:44
Product Safety & Sourcing – 16:04–18:14; 29:02–29:48
Retinoids, Peptide Sourcing – 26:36–27:12; 27:29–29:48
Routine Simplicity & Longevity – 25:26–26:26
Final Protocol Recommendations – 52:00–54:44

For More:

auroWellness.com
Discount code: DAVE10 (as mentioned)

This summary is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting new regimens.

The Real Reason Your Face Is Aging So Fast : 1376

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Summary

Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Overview

Key Topics and Insights

1. GHK-Cu: The Super Peptide for Skin & Hair

2. Delivery Systems: Why Topical Works Best

3. Copper, Zinc, and Gray Hair: The Biohacker’s Dilemma

4. Skincare Protocols: Application and Layering

5. Other Ingredients and Practices

6. Safety, Sourcing, and Philosophy

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Protocols and "How-To" (Quick Guide)

GHK-Cu Skin Density Protocol

Maintenance Protocol

Stacking with Procedures

Best for Whom?

Additional Insights

Conclusion

Timestamps for Key Segments

For More:

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Overview

Key Topics and Insights

1. GHK-Cu: The Super Peptide for Skin & Hair

2. Delivery Systems: Why Topical Works Best

3. Copper, Zinc, and Gray Hair: The Biohacker’s Dilemma

4. Skincare Protocols: Application and Layering

5. Other Ingredients and Practices

6. Safety, Sourcing, and Philosophy

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Protocols and "How-To" (Quick Guide)

GHK-Cu Skin Density Protocol

Maintenance Protocol

Stacking with Procedures

Best for Whom?

Additional Insights

Conclusion

Timestamps for Key Segments

For More: