The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey – Episode 1413

The Secret Peptides and Underground Compounds Doctors Won’t Talk About

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Dave Asprey
Guest: Dylan Gemelli

Overview

In this engaging and irreverent episode, Dave Asprey welcomes biohacker and supplement expert Dylan Gemelli for a candid discussion on the world of peptides, SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators), research chemicals, and cutting-edge performance enhancers. Together, they dissect the legal, ethical, and practical realities of using underground or experimental compounds for physique, longevity, cognitive enhancement, and personal empowerment—often skirting the mainstream medical establishment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SARMs, Peptides, and Research Chemicals: Power & Perception

• Definitions and Legal Gray Zones

  • Peptides and SARMs are often sold as “research chemicals” due to ambiguous legality; not outright illegal, but “not for human consumption.”
    C: “The term research chemical is really just a legality, right?” [01:41]
  • Many compounds are technically legal but not FDA-approved for consumption; marketing restrictions drive the underground scene.

• Performance Enhancement: Ethics and Stigma

  • Both hosts challenge the notion of “cheating” in health optimization.
    A: “There’s no such thing as cheating. And if you think I’m cheating, that’s ’cause you’re losing. I will not ask for a permission slip to take care of myself. It’s a fundamental innate right.” [00:22]
    C: “It’s cheating to put yourself at the level you’re supposed to be at so you can actually be who you’re supposed to be. Tell me how that's cheating.” [00:15, 53:13]

• Medical Regulation & Cultural Double Standards

  • Dave expresses surprise at feeling more optimistic about FDA’s direction with peptides and hormones, citing recent conversations with FDA leadership.
    A: “I’ve never been more excited about that... I never thought I would say that.” [03:04]

2. Personal Journeys and Anecdotes

• Dave’s SARM Experimentation

  • Gained 29 pounds of muscle in six weeks—without changing diet or exercise—by combining SARMs and other research chemicals. Also tore ligaments due to disproportionate muscular development.
    A: “Put on 29 pounds of muscle in about six weeks...with no change in diet or exercise. I did tear ligaments in both shoulders because ligaments don’t grow like muscles.” [00:00, 07:52]

• MK-677 (Ibutamoren): The “Growth Hormone Secretagogue”

  • Instead of direct HGH, Dave restored his growth hormone levels with MK-677 after body had stopped producing GH.
    A: “I did MK677 just for the last three months. And what do you know? My levels of human growth hormone went back up to normal.” [11:13]

3. SARMs, Peptides, and Usage Strategies

• Compound Rundown

  • Early SARMs: MK-677, MK-2866, S4, GW-501516, LGD-4033, S23.
  • Bodybuilders and longevity enthusiasts overlap in chemical usage but not always in philosophy.

• Risks, Benefits, and Nuances

  • These compounds can be transformational for those with muscle wasting, severe health issues, or as performance enhancers, but carry some documented risks.
  • The hosts agree on the importance of muscle strength (over pure mass) and neural drive for longevity.

• For Beginners (40–60, by Gender)

  • S4 recommended for men and women; aesthetic muscle hardening, lean muscle gain, minimal suppression for women, mild side-effect profile. [14:31]
  • Discussion of vision side effects (“yellow flashing”) and easy mitigation.

4. Diet, Biohacking, and Fitness Real Talk

• Unpacking Nutrition Myths

  • Low-fat/high-cardio regimens led to poor health for both hosts.
  • Emphasis on animal protein, healthy fats, avoiding caloric restriction dogma, and individualized diet.
    A: “When I looked my best, I felt my worst.” [16:10] A: “So many listeners are going to benefit...the worst that happens if you’ve tried something new for a week or two is that it won’t work.” [28:59]

• Incremental vs. All-in Experimentation

  • Dave prefers “cocktail” or all-at-once intervention over isolate-and-test approaches, citing practicality. A: “Do all of it this month...at the end of the month...something in there is working, right?” [30:08]

5. Testosterone: Experience, Judgment, and New Technology

• Hormonal Optimization

  • Dave and Dylan have extensively used injectable testosterone for years; discuss the advantages of new oral forms (Kyzatrex), which maintain natural testicular function and daily rhythm.
    A: “I've been on Kyzatrex for the last 18 months...if it’s date night, like, I’ll just have an extra. And then it hits you...right when I needed it most.” [46:48–49:35]

• Judgment and Societal Resistance

  • They critique the stigma of hormone replacement and equate it with using technology to restore baseline function, not “cheating.”
  • Insurance costs and access are major impediments for many people seeking optimal health.

6. Peptides, Cognitive Enhancement, and Neurological Health

• Favorite Peptides

  • Dylan’s list: MOTS-c, AOD-9604, Semax, Selank (especially for neuro-cognitive benefits).
    C: “I like C-Max and Celan. I’m really kind of gotten more into the understanding of the importance of the neurological side.” [41:22]

• Neuro-Physical Integration

  • Neural drive, mind-body connection, and the necessity of both strength and cognitive work for true longevity.

• Nootropics

  • Dave uses Modafinil daily (“one of the most effective and studied pharmaceuticals for cognitive function”) since the early days of biohacking.
    A: “I’m on modafinil right now. I’ve been on modafinil for 25 years. Every day. Almost every day anyway.” [54:49]

7. Community, Autonomy, and the Future of Biohacking

• Medical Autonomy & Human Rights

  • Strong statements opposing medical “tyranny” and advocating for the right to self-experiment and optimize.
  • Founding fathers and the missing constitutional right to medical freedom discussed.
    A: “It’s a fundamental innate right...I will not ask for a permission slip to take care of myself.” [54:10, 55:48]

• Building a Biohacking Movement

  • The importance of open knowledge, community (Biohacking Conference), and rejecting health dogmas.
    A: “We just needed a name for what we do so we could have community.” [59:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Cheating” and Self-Optimization

  • A: “There’s no such thing as cheating. If you think I’m cheating, that’s because you’re losing.” [00:22]
  • C: “It’s cheating to put yourself at the level you’re supposed to be at so you can actually be who you’re supposed to be. Tell me how that’s cheating.” [53:13]

• On Experimentation and Trying New Protocols

  • A: “The worst that happens if you’ve tried something new for a week or two is that it won't work.” [29:08]

• On Nutrition and Fat

  • A: “Fat makes you fat, right? I mean, Lane told me, right? So does a lot of dipshits.” [25:40]
  • A: “I have eaten unlimited fat... for 15 years. And my blood is just fine.” [45:49]

• On Community and Growth

  • C: “The amount of effect, it doesn’t end, you know, it only gets bigger. And it’s helped me to get my knowledge base bigger, to help my audience and to keep sharing it, and that's what it’s all about.” [61:14]

• On Medical Autonomy

  • A: “I will not ask for a permission slip...It’s a fundamental innate right.” [54:10]

• On Practical Biohacking

  • A: “I do everything to make my body healthier, my mind healthier. I use neurofeedback instead of meditating because it’s more effective per minute.” [54:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro to SARMs & Biohacking Ethics – [00:00–02:51]
• Peptides, FDA Change & Legal Nuance – [02:51–04:13]
• Dave's 29-lb SARM Experiment, SARMs 101 – [07:42–09:56]
• Personal Growth Hormone Restoration with MK-677 – [10:16–11:28]
• Controversies & Community in Biohacking – [12:07–13:48]
• SARMs for Men and Women: Protocols – [14:16–17:30]
• Diet, Recovery, and Biohacking Mindsets – [24:12–28:59]
• Incremental vs. Cocktail Experimentation – [30:08–31:38]
• Plaque Reversal and Heart Health Hacks – [31:38–36:21]
• Vitamin D, Sun, and Melanotan – [37:17–39:13]
• Peptides for Libido and Cognitive Enhancement – [39:13–41:40]
• Strength vs. Mass, Longevity Myths – [42:20–44:47]
• Diet & Caloric Surplus for Muscle, Longevity – [45:15–47:29]
• Oral Testosterone (Kyzatrex) vs. Injections – [47:29–49:41]
• Healthcare Access, Costs, Autonomy – [51:13–53:13]
• Medical Philosophy, Right to Self-Optimize – [54:10–56:18]
• Building Community & Biohacking’s Future – [59:17–61:30]

Conclusion

Dave Asprey and Dylan Gemelli provide a frank, humorous, and data-informed exploration of biohacking with research chemicals, SARMs, nootropics, and peptides. Their message challenges stigma, urges self-ownership in health decisions, and calls for community among experimenters. Both advocate for informed risk-taking and emphasize that “cheating” simply means striving for one’s optimal potential. For anyone exploring biohacking’s fringe or navigating health transformation outside mainstream medicine, this episode is essential, direct, and empowering.

Find Dylan on Instagram: @dylangemelli
More on Dave and community events: biohackingconference.com

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