The Rubin Report: "Why We Are on the Cusp of Curing Most Diseases & Living to 120"

Guest: Deepak Chopra | Host: Dave Rubin

Date: November 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin sits down with renowned author, physician, and spiritual thinker Deepak Chopra to explore the intersection of cutting-edge medical science, spirituality, and the future of human health. The conversation dives into the genetic roots of disease, the promise of gene editing and vaccines, the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, and the potential of AI and collective consciousness to improve well-being. Chopra also candidly discusses the current state of global "collective madness" and his philosophy on peace, personal transformation, and what it means to live a joyful and meaningful life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Deepak Chopra’s Self-Definition and Background

• 00:01:08 Dave Rubin introduces Deepak Chopra, referencing his massive bibliography and impact.
• Chopra’s own introduction:
  • Medical doctor and internist, board-certified and licensed in multiple states.
  • Specialization in neuroendocrinology (brain chemistry).
  • Shifted towards integrative medicine, mind-body practices, and ultimately "spiritual intelligence."
  • "What people call the hard problem of consciousness. What is the universe made of and how do we know it exists? So that's where I am right now." — Deepak Chopra (02:04)

The Science of Disease: Genes, Environment, and Mind

• 03:04 Chopra breaks down genetic vs. environmental/spiritual influences on disease.
  • Only 5% (or even less, with new estimates at 2%) of diseases are caused by "fully penetrant gene mutations" (think of a typo in a vast book).
  • With technologies like gene editing (already in use for some diseases) and advanced vaccines, this genetic slice will be largely manageable in the near future.
  • Remaining 95% is influenced by lifestyle, mind, emotions, sleep, stress, relationships, and "epigenetic" factors — meaning most diseases are preventable and even reversible.
  • "So that's a long answer. That disease is complicated, but only 5% is fully genetically determined, probably less. ... The rest is how you live your life, basically." — Deepak Chopra (09:06)

Longevity, Death, and Spiritual Renewal

• 09:31 On the future of human lifespan and the value of death:
  • With gene editing and lifestyle changes: health spans may reach 120 years.
  • Biological "programmed cellular death" (apoptosis) is necessary for renewal and health. Attempting to eradicate death would be destructive, leading to stagnation.
  • "To stop death would be the worst thing we do. We'd be mummified. We might as well be in a museum, like a plastic flower or a marble statue. So death is very important for renewal of life." — Deepak Chopra (09:47)
  • "Death is not the opposite of life. Death is the opposite of birth. Life is the continuum of birth and death..." — Deepak Chopra (11:46)

The Spiritual Perspective and Science’s "Hard Problems"

• 13:27 Chopra recounts his journey from neurochemistry to spiritual questions.
  • Realization of the deep link between mind, emotion, neurochemistry, and health.
  • The "hard problem of consciousness": What is the universe made of? How does nothing become everything? How do we know we exist?
  • "What is the universe made of? ... the answer is that the universe is made of nothing. You know, it starts as nothing, and then it looks like everything. So how does nothing become everything?" — Deepak Chopra (15:35)
  • "And then I realized that... we are struggling with this problem because we think there's a physical universe made of atoms and molecules... and then we say, how does these physical molecules create thought, imagination, feeling, love... and became obvious to me. It doesn't. It's the other way around. You start with consciousness." — Deepak Chopra (15:47)

Collective Consciousness and “Insanity” of the Modern World

• 19:34 Dave asks for Chopra’s view on society’s current collective consciousness.
  • Chopra describes the "collective mind" as "insane" due to war, terrorism, polarization, and corrupt leadership.
  • "We have war, we have terrorism, we have climate change... mechanized death, we have drones, we have chronic disease, we have polarization because the world is being run by gangsters. And we call them leaders, but they're only interested in power mongering, cronyism, corruption, money laundering and everything..." — Deepak Chopra (19:41)
  • He advocates recognizing the insanity, checking out emotionally, and focusing on solutions enabled by AI, teamwork, and shared vision: "Think of a really good sports team. If we could emulate a sports team, collectively, we could change the world. But I don't see it happening. ... Perfect recipe for extinction for an insane species." (21:29)

The Role of AI and Community in Healing

• 22:00 Chopra discusses his personal and community AI projects.
  • DeepakChopra.com, “Deepak Chopra AI,” and groups focused on "love in action," attention, appreciation, creativity, and collective evolution.
  • Advocates for becoming "the change," referencing Gandhi: "You can't create peace by being an angry peace activist. That's an oxymoron."
  • "Peace can only be created by those who are peaceful. ... Joy is the only measure of success. Otherwise you wasted your life." — Deepak Chopra (22:58–23:19)

Rejecting Guru Culture and Emphasizing Self-Responsibility

• 23:27 Chopra pushes back against the guru label:
  • "No, no, I don't believe in gurus. In fact, the word guru, spell it for me. G-U-R-U. Gee, you are you. So, yes, let's all be gurus of ourselves and then we have hope." — Deepak Chopra (23:27–23:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "What is the universe made of? ... The answer is that the universe is made of nothing. You know, it starts as nothing, and then it looks like everything." — Deepak Chopra (15:35)
• "You start with consciousness. That leads to perceptual activity... It became obvious to me. It's the other way around." — Deepak Chopra (16:00)
• "Our collective mind today is insane... and we elect them, so we can't even blame them. Okay, so we're all insane." — Deepak Chopra (19:41)
• "Peace can only be created by those who are peaceful." — Deepak Chopra (23:00)
• "Joy is the only measure of success. Otherwise you wasted your life." — Deepak Chopra (23:19)
• "Let's all be gurus of ourselves and then we have hope." — Deepak Chopra (23:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:08 — Deepak’s professional background and path
• 03:28–09:12 — Genetics, disease, and the future of medicine
• 09:31–11:46 — Longevity, the necessity of death, and spiritual renewal
• 13:27–15:35 — Discovery of the “hard problem of consciousness”
• 17:47–19:34 — Finding open-minded scientists and the “case against reality”
• 19:34–21:41 — Collective insanity and the failings of global leadership
• 22:00–23:19 — AI, spiritual community, and the path toward peace
• 23:27–23:42 — Rejecting guru status; call for self-empowerment

Tone and Style

• The conversation is relaxed but intellectually ambitious, with Deepak Chopra balancing technical explanations and philosophical musings.
• Rubin's questions are direct, often prompting Chopra to clarify spiritual points for a practical or skeptical audience.
• Chopra's tone is both humble ("I'm still trying to figure out what I'll do when I grow up") and challengingly candid regarding social and political crises.

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling exploration of how medicine, consciousness, and spirituality may converge in the coming decades. Chopra paints an optimistic vision for the extension of healthy life through science and lifestyle, yet remains sharply critical of societal dysfunction and emphasizes self-responsibility, peace, and joy as essential measures of a life well-lived. The promise of AI, gene editing, and collective vision receive attention, as does the need for each individual to become their own “guru”—an empowering call to inner and outer transformation.