Podcast Summary: What Are You Made Of? w/ Mike “C-Roc” Ciorrocco Episode: “Upgrade Your Biology: Evidence-Based Biohacking for Energy, Focus and Power with Lucas Aoun” Date: March 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Mike “C-Roc” Ciorrocco is joined by Australian biohacker, entrepreneur, and naturopath Lucas Aoun. Together, they dive deep into biohacking strategies to upgrade physical and mental performance, discuss Lucas’s journey from aspiring professional athlete to pioneering supplement entrepreneur, and break down the science—and misconceptions—behind today's most popular nootropics, peptides, and supplements. Lucas shares concrete insights, evidence-based recommendations, and warnings about supplementation pitfalls. The conversation stays lively and accessible, packed with actionable info for entrepreneurs and anyone interested in optimizing their energy, focus, and power.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lucas Aoun’s Background, Discipline, and Entry into Biohacking

• Discipline as Foundation ([01:20])
  • Lucas credits “sheer discipline” as his primary ingredient for building a successful business and to his approach in biohacking.
  • Quote: “The main thing that I’m made of is I would say sheer discipline… I started my business from scratch.” — Lucas [01:20]
• Sports and Early Experimentation ([02:00–05:00])
  • Former semi-professional soccer player. Early athletic regimen taught him the value of focus and deliberately enduring discomfort.
  • Lucas became “the N of one experiment,” rigorously self-testing nootropics, supplements, and research chemicals—developing a vast internal database of subjective experiences.
  • “I was heavily interested in understanding how I can actually modify my biology to suit a specific occasion.” — Lucas [04:00]

2. From Personal Experimentation to Public Education & Entrepreneurship

• Transition to Educator & Influencer ([05:00–11:00])
  • Lucas spent years researching mechanisms of action on PubMed, then began sharing science-backed supplement tips on Reddit’s nootropics forum.
  • After being banned from Reddit, Lucas built a direct online presence through Instagram and YouTube, attracting attention from major figures in biohacking and health (e.g., Dr. Andrew Huberman, Ben Greenfield, Dave Asprey).
  • “I was really obsessed with understanding like… what is the exact pathway that it’s hitting? How can we do that with other compounds and make that sustainable?” — Lucas [05:40]
• Key Breakthrough Moment ([11:00])
  • Ben Greenfield invited Lucas onto his podcast, which Lucas describes as a “big break moment”—overwhelmingly positive turning point in his recognition and reach.

3. Lucas’ Favorite & Most Underrated Supplement: High-Dose Vitamin B1

• High-Dose B1 / Thiamine ([06:12–08:47])
  • Lucas chooses vitamin B1 (thiamine) as his favorite supplement for its profound, affordable, and under-recognized cognitive effects.
  • Mechanism: Enhances acetylcholine (key for memory, verbal fluency, recall), and ramps up energy production by converting glucose more efficiently.
  • “The clarity that you get from a high dose of vitamin B1 is like, it’s unmatched.” — Lucas [06:40]
  • Dosing: 100–400mg in isolation, not as part of a B-complex; noticeable effects, especially for high-carb eaters.
  • Takeaway: “You’ll never get a crash from a high-carb meal if you’re on high-dose B1.” — Lucas [07:10]

4. Launching a Supplement Company: IN B4

• Business Evolution ([08:47–13:45])
  • Grew from sharing info and consulting for companies (e.g., Science Bio) to offering 1:1 coaching for executives, athletes, and entrepreneurs.
  • Launched own supplement brand, IN B4, after years formulating unique stacks. Caters to nuanced needs with honest science, custom audits, and bloodwork analysis.

The IN B4 Product Line:

• Catwaba / Catuaba (Catwa Pure) ([13:50–17:48])
  • Brazilian aphrodisiac herb, acts as a natural dopamine reuptake inhibitor, supporting mood, motivation, libido, and sociability.
  • “Catawba puts him in a happy mood… helps with libido… makes you want to just talk a lot.” — Lucas [16:10]
  • Sourced from a verified supplier—takes baseline nutrition into account for optimal effect; best used situationally rather than daily.
  • Notable stack: “3 grams of taurine and 1,200mg of Catawba… makes guys feel pretty damn good going out.”* — Lucas [17:40]
• Tudka Prime ([17:53–19:37])
  • Combines TUDCA (liver-protective bile acid, popular among bodybuilders and those on high-fat diets) with ergothioneine (“Mito Prime”), a powerful “longevity vitamin.”
  • “It can work really well… beneficial for those who are on a high-fat diet, [or] feel like they’re bloating and can’t digest fatty foods.” — Lucas [18:12]
• Peak Tea: Natural Testosterone Booster ([19:37–21:19])
  • Upcoming product, designed to help those with low–mid testosterone naturally optimize levels before considering TRT.
  • “For those… not keen on TRT… because the product that I’ve formulated—there’s no peptides, it’s a natural complex… serves a purpose for those on the verge of TRT, but want to try something naturally first." — Lucas [20:00]

5. Deep Dives: Supplement Science, Warnings & Misconceptions

On Ashwagandha’s Dark Side ([25:55–28:21])

• Ashwagandha is “dangerously misunderstood” in Lucas’ eyes.
• Chronic or high-dose use can cause excessive serotonin activation and massive cortisol suppression, leading to blunted emotional response, anhedonia (numbness), and potential thyroid/liver issues.
• “It can manifest in ways where individuals feel… anhedonia, which is a blunting or numbing of the pleasure response. Basically like what an SSRI can do.” — Lucas [27:00]
• Recommends alternatives for stress/cortisol management: taurine, high-dose magnesium, and glycine (all less risky, with added longevity benefits).

On Berberine vs. Dihydroberberine ([28:39–30:00])

• Dihydroberberine (DHB) is a superior, more gut-friendly alternative to berberine (which itself gets unfair criticism).
• Effective in blood sugar regulation at lower doses and reduces risk of gut flora disruption.
• Metformin, for reference, is the gold-standard type 2 diabetes med and longevity compound.

Trend Insights: Retatrutide, Dopamine, and Addiction ([30:34–32:01])

• Retatrutide (next-gen GLP-1 analog for weight loss) works on the dopamine system: suppresses food motivation—but can also suppress overall drive/motivation.
• Suggests stacking with dopamine boosters (like Catawba) to offset “motivation drop.”
• “Pay attention. Don’t just go and do retatrutide. Make sure you pay attention to the dopamine.” — Mike [32:01]
• Has addiction-craving reduction potential.

On Nicotine as a Nootropic ([32:17–33:29])

• Nicotine is highly effective for cognitive performance, but method matters. Patches are safest (slow release, less crash/addiction). Gums/pouches only sparingly.

6. Personalization & The Future of Supplementation ([25:24–25:55, 24:02–25:24])

• “Different protocols for each individual based on their markers and panels. That’s key.” — Mike [25:24]
• Lucas critiques “one size fits all” approaches and AI-generated supplement protocols—emphasizes personal expertise and practical, real-world outcomes over theoretical or “cookie-cutter” advice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Discipline: “Without discipline… none of it will work.” — Mike [01:43]
• On Opportunity: “I told my parents—this is my big break moment.” — Lucas on Ben Greenfield’s message [11:00]
• On Vitamin B1: “The clarity you get…is unmatched.” — Lucas [06:40]
• On Ashwagandha: “It can manifest in… massive lowering of cortisol… numbing the pleasure response.” — Lucas [27:00]
• On Supplement fads: “AI…will give you cookie-cutter, basic recommendations. It’s not about what works in theory—it’s about what actually works in real life.” — Lucas [24:45]
• On Innovation: “There’s no point just leaving them [formulations] on a spreadsheet when I know they’re going to make an impact.” — Lucas [24:36]
• On Nicotine: “It will enhance cognitive function. The way in which we use nicotine really matters.” — Lucas [32:21]

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lucas’s Origin/Discipline: [01:20–02:40]
• Sports to Biohacking: [03:00–05:00]
• First Steps Educating/Public Sharing: [05:02–11:00]
• Vitamin B1 as Underrated Biohack: [06:12–08:47]
• Start of Supplement Brand (IN B4): [13:45]
• Catwaba/Catawba Supplement Details: [13:50–17:48]
• TUDCA and Liver Health Supplement: [17:53–19:37]
• Testosterone Stack (Peak Tea): [19:37–21:19]
• Ashwagandha Warning: [25:55–28:21]
• Dihydroberberine vs. Berberine/Metformin: [28:52–30:00]
• Retatrutide and Dopamine: [30:34–32:01]
• Nicotine as Nootropic: [32:17–33:29]
• Where to Find Lucas: [33:37]

Further Resources and Final Thoughts

• Lucas’s YouTube: Boost Your Biology
• Supplement company website: inb4sups.com
• Takeaway: Lucas’s philosophy blends disciplined self-experimentation, deep academic curiosity, and a hands-on approach to science-backed biohacking—always urging listeners to personalize their protocols, question fads, and prioritize what works for their biology and goals.

If you’re seeking actionable biohacking wisdom, supplement clarity, and entrepreneurial inspiration—with science you can trust—this episode has high-yield insight from start to finish.