The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey

Episode 1417: The Secret to Looking Younger is in Mushrooms (And Chocolate?)
Date: February 17, 2026
Guest: Boran (CEO & Co-Founder, Wonderfeel)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Asprey dives deep into the science of aging, mitochondrial health, and innovative longevity biohacks with Boran, CEO and co-founder of Wonderfeel. The discussion focuses on NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)—a crucial molecule for longevity—ergothioneine from mushrooms, hydroxytyrosol from olive oil, and the creative inclusion of compounds like creatine and allulose in functional foods (like chocolate bars). The duo covers the regulatory landscape around supplements, the clinical evidence behind these nutrients, practical use-cases, and what optimal supplementation might look like for everyone wanting to feel younger, think sharper, and outperform.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to NAD and Longevity Compounds (05:56–13:50)

• NAD Essentials: NAD is framed as a “primary longevity molecule” essential to energy production, DNA repair, and cellular health.
  • "NAD is so essential to biochemistry. Without it, you'll be dead in 10 seconds." — Boran [16:48]
• Supplement Evolution: The history of NAD supplementation is traced: from niacinamide (not very effective), to NR (nicotinamide riboside), to NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), currently favored for its uptake.
• Wonderfeel's Formula: Combines NMN, ergothioneine (from mushrooms), hydroxytyrosol (from olive oil), and vitamin D3 for a multifaceted approach to longevity.

2. NAD Science, Regulation, and Practical Use (13:50–25:49)

• Regulatory Roller Coaster:
  • The FDA’s vacillations over classifying NMN as a supplement or drug have sown confusion in the supplement community.
  • Dave recounts interviewing FDA leadership, surprising himself with their openness to supplements.
  • "They’re all in on supplements and they get it and they want to fix really broad problems in the agency." — Dave [12:41]
• Supplements vs. Pharmaceuticals:
  • Wonderfeel’s strategy: launch as a supplement for accessibility and iterate pharmaceutical grade for medical credibility and insurance support.
  • "Our goal is not to make our products expensive. We don't have to maximize profits." — Boran [15:27]
• NAD’s Role in Cellular Health:
  • NAD levels decline linearly with age and stress, limiting tissue repair, energy, and cognition.
  • Personal anecdotes: Improved sleep, energy, and especially cognitive clarity are frequent customer reports.
  • “It’s relatively cheap to not get old, and it’s relatively expensive to get young if you’re already old.” — Dave [25:03]

3. Real-World Effects and Anecdotes (25:49–30:30)

• Cosmetic & Cognitive Benefits:
  • Users report reversal of gray hair, regrowth of eyelashes, thicker hair, and better sleep/focus.
  • “After like, 8 months... my gray hair is turning back to its original color.” — Boran [25:49]
• Mitochondria and Fertility:
  • Boosted mitochondrial function may enhance fertility, especially in women, aligning with the density of mitochondria in ovarian cells.
  • Supplements are generally labeled as "not for use during pregnancy" for legal reasons, not science.

4. Deep Dive: Ingredients and Mechanisms

Hydroxytyrosol (31:00–34:09)

• Source & Benefits:
  • A powerful polyphenol from high-quality olive oil, difficult to obtain in diet-equivalent doses.
  • Functions as a CD38 inhibitor, reducing inflammation associated with high NAD levels.
  • “It's basically two bottles of olive oil in a pill…from the good stuff.” — Dave [34:02]

Ergothioneine (35:06–40:09)

• The 'Longevity Vitamin' from Mushrooms:
  • Evidence from anecdote and emerging clinical data shows potential Alzheimer’s and tissue repair benefits.
  • “There hasn't been enough research, unfortunately…It collects in the body for up to 30 days where there's tissue damage. There's nothing like it.” — Boran [37:15]
• Food System Deficiency: Changes in agriculture have reduced ergothioneine availability, mushrooms (especially porcini, lion’s mane) now its best sources.

Innovative Delivery & Sustainability (46:04–48:09)

• Eco-Friendly Packaging:
  • Wonderfeel uses glass bottles with biodegradable ink and a refill system using “biosimulative” pouches that dissolve in 2 years.
  • “You’re probably the only company in the world that says, ‘Oh, we have no plastic in the printing on our glass bottle.’” — Dave [47:52]

5. Functional Foods: Creatine + Chocolate (48:09–56:05)

• Creatine’s Nootropic Impact:
  • Creatine is intelligently delivered in bars with high-quality, ethically sourced chocolate.
  • Importance of micronization and heat to improve creatine absorption and delivery to the brain.
• Allulose: The Ultimate Sweetener:
  • Dave outlines the pitfalls of most sweeteners and why allulose stands apart: low glycemic impact, supports GLP-1 (Ozempic pathway), can caramelize, and is finally available from non-GMO sources.
  • “To my knowledge, no one's ever made an allulose chocolate. But that's what you did with the Wonderfield chocolate.” — Dave [55:55]

6. Supplement Regulation & Claims (57:21–65:22)

• The Claims Dilemma:
  • Supplement labels are highly restricted—companies often understate potential benefits due to blurry FDA/FTC guidelines.
  • The supplement industry is tightly regulated, contrary to public belief.
  • “Every supplement you buy on the label is weak sauce compared to what they want to say. They're just playing it really safe.” — Dave [65:22]
• Third-Party Certifications & Consumer Caution:
  • Fake and contaminated products are rampant, especially on platforms like Amazon.

7. Research Transparency & the Future (57:33–66:43)

• Preliminary Results:
  • Dave encourages more supplement companies to share preliminary findings transparently, within regulatory guardrails.
  • Example: A Wonderfeel formulation (NMN + ergothioneine) reduced inflammation by 37% in a preclinical cell study—nearly as much as steroids—in lung tissue.
  • “We have preliminary results… we're validating this, and regulatory people are fine with that.” — Dave [58:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NAD’s Biochemistry:
  “NAD is the water source that feeds a valley… Your NAD production in time slows down, but the effects…are not that straightforward.” — Boran [16:48]
• On Legal Loopholes:
  “Every supplement company on earth is going to say, don’t take it [if pregnant]… because they don’t want to get sued.” — Dave [29:11]
• On Innovation in Formulation:
  “If you were to take just a pure NMN without other things… you might over time feel a bit more inflamed… But you have ingredients that counterbalance that effect.” — Dave [22:29]
• On Practicing What He Preaches:
  “I'm leaner, I'm stronger, faster, smarter, like, all the things to the point that it's almost absurd.” — Dave [41:19]
• On Supplemental Sweeteners:
  “If you make the mistake of, over the last four years, consuming restaurant food that has omega 6s… and then you go, ‘I’ll just do only olive oil,’ you’re going to drive free radicals throughout the body.” — Dave [32:09]
• On Third-Party Testing:
  “Now it’s up to the consumers…to find like a third party certification on their website. It’s not easy…” — Boran [64:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NAD Overview and Supplement Pathway: [05:56–13:50]
• FDA Regulatory History of NMN: [09:41–13:50]
• Personal Experiences / Benefits of NAD: [16:48–25:49]
• Cosmetic/Anecdotal Benefits: [25:49–27:56]
• Hydroxytyrosol and Olive Oil Science: [31:00–34:09]
• Ergothioneine Science & Mushroom Sourcing: [35:06–40:09]
• Packaging Innovations: [46:04–48:09]
• Creatine in Chocolate Bars Discussion: [48:09–56:05]
• Allulose and the Ultimate Sweeteners Breakdown: [51:01–56:05]
• Research, Claims, and Regulations: [57:21–65:22]
• Preliminary Anti-Inflammatory Evidence: [59:20–60:37]

Tone & Style

Casual, deeply scientific, open-minded, and a bit rebellious—Dave Asprey keeps things practical and evidence-driven, while Boran brings authenticity and a collaborative spirit focused on research rigor and consumer trust. The atmosphere is nerdy-but-inclusive, with humor and candor (“I don't know how to not be curious because I think my life would suck” — Dave [03:20]) foregrounded throughout.

Takeaways for Listeners

• NAD and mitochondrial support are foundational if you want to look and feel younger.
• Mushroom-derived ergothioneine and olive oil-derived hydroxytyrosol represent powerful, underappreciated antioxidants with strong preliminary data.
• Innovative supplement companies are striving not just for optimal health effects, but for sustainable packaging and rigorous science.
• The right formulation strategy can outpace both the supplement and pharmaceutical industries in providing high-value, high-efficacy interventions for longevity.
• Consumers must be savvy—third-party certifications and honest companies are key in a murky market.

For discounts and more, listeners are directed to getwonderfield.com/dave as mentioned at the end of the episode.

This summary captures the heart of the conversation and details the latest thinking in the world of biohacking for longevity, delivered with the wit and no-nonsense perspective of Dave Asprey and his guest, Boran.