Are Plants Hacking Us or Are Viruses?

Most people try to “heal” their brain with supplements, mindset, or meditation—but this episode reveals the deeper protocol to actually grow a new brain, reverse stress damage, activate 1,100 healing genes, and unlock higher human performance at any age. You’ll learn how neuroplasticity, mitochondria repair, plant-based NRF2 activators, and energetic practices work together to rebuild the brain and extend longevity. 

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: 

https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR 

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D.—medical anthropologist, neuroscientist, energy medicine pioneer, and founder of The Four Winds Society, the gold-standard school for modern shamans. He has spent 25+ years studying Amazonian and Andean healing traditions, led the Biological Self-Regulation Lab at San Francisco State University to explore psychosomatic medicine, and authored more than 25 bestselling books on neuroscience, functional medicine, and energy healing. Few people on earth bridge ancient biohacking and modern brain science at this level. 

He also reveals the forms of nicotine that are safest (spoiler: it’s not vapes or cigarettes), how nicotine works at the receptor level, and what the science says about long-term health effects. This episode blends functional medicine, brain optimization, and biohacking into one powerful, myth-busting breakdown. 

You'll learn: 

• How to grow a new brain every 22 days using neuroplasticity and mitochondria support 

• Why plant medicines and NRF2 activators can turn on 1,100 healing genes in 24 hours 

• The surprising link between nootropics, psychedelics, serotonin, and endogenous DMT 

• How mindset, belief systems, and placebo/nocebo shape immune function and metabolism 

• Why RFK’s chronic disease warning connects to viral evolution and immune collapse 

• The real reason carnivore diets work—and when they fail without gut repair 

• Peptides, GLP-1 agonists, and the future of functional medicine hacking 

• Why most people sabotage themselves and how to stop fighting your own biology 

This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, human performance, and longevity, and for those who want to understand how functional biology and mitochondrial science are redefining recovery, energy, and aging.  

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. 

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.  

Keywords: NRF2 activation, Neurogenesis and hippocampus repair, Plant-based epigenetic triggers, Psychosomatic health, Serotonin to DMT conversion, Pineal gland methylation, Parasites and brain inflammation, Viral-driven evolution, GLP-1 agonists and longevity, Psilocybin lifespan extension, Autophagy and brain cleanup, Energetic medicine training, Functional peptides, BPC-157, Breathwork and CO2 tolerance, mTOR cycling, Cold exposure and dopamine, Mindset-driven immune function 

Thank you to our sponsors! 

• EMR-Tek | https://www.emr-tek.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 40% off. 

• Essentia | Go to https://myessentia.com/dave and use code DAVE for $100 off The Dave Asprey Upgrade. 

• Timeline | Head to https://www.timeline.com/dave to get 10% off your first order. 

• fatty15 | Go to https://fatty15.com/dave and save an extra $15 when you subscribe with code DAVE. 

Resources:  

• Learn more from Alberto at: www.thefourwinds.com and www.albertovilloldo.net 

• Buy the book ‘Grow A New Brain’: https://a.co/d/5lVhrVy 

• Business of Biohacking | Register to attend October 20-23 in Austin, TX https://businessofbiohacking.com/ 

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 

• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com 

• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated 

• Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com 

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com 

• 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com 

Timestamps: 

0:00 — Trailer 

1:25 — Introduction & Ayahuasca Story 

3:15 — Shamanism Beyond Plant Medicine 

6:53 — Losing Your Mind to Evolve 

10:45 — The 22-Day New Brain Cycle 

12:53 — Plant Communication & Direct Knowing 

15:35 — Parasites, Liver Failure & Brain Damage 

20:25 — Remote Healing & CIA Research 

22:40 — Tryptophan, Turkey Farmers & Brain Chemistry 

25:19 — Viruses as Evolutionary Drivers 

30:30 — Psilocybin & Life Extension 

35:25 — Healing with Mindset + Biology 

38:52 — Spirit, Purpose & Growing Gods 

43:49 — Plants, Protein & mTOR 

49:07 — Training the Four Brains 

51:16 — Cold Exposure: Pain vs Suffering 

54:40 — Who Am I? Living the Question 

55:25 — Closing 

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