The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

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Boost Brain Power by 25% WITHOUT a Pill (Brain Optimization Secrets) : 1305

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Jul 24, 2025

Guest

Richard Conrad

In a captivating conversation, global finance expert Richard Conrad unveils how cultural programming impacts brain function and performance. He reveals techniques to enhance cognitive capacity by 25% without drugs, emphasizing the importance of thinking beyond linear logic. The discussion dives into how different cultures perceive truth and time, influencing everything from meditation practices to decision-making. Conrad also explores the balance between personal fulfillment and societal roles, making connections between ancient wisdom and modern health practices.

01:10:55

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insights

INSIGHT

Cultural Differences in Logic

Americans reason primarily in a linear manner, focusing on step-by-step logic.
Japanese and Chinese cultures rely more on contextual and systems thinking, lacking a direct native concept of 'logic'.

insights

INSIGHT

Absolute vs Relative Truth

Western cultures hold absolute truths leading to conflicts over right and wrong.
Eastern cultures embrace relative truths allowing multiple paths to coexist without conflict.

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ADVICE

Practice Mindfulness for Balance

Western linear thinkers should cultivate mindfulness to counteract over-rationalization.
Focus on present moments and intuition to reduce depression and anxiety caused by past or future worries.

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Cultural Perspectives on Truth and Mindfulness

01:48 • 17min

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Balancing Fulfillment and Health: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

18:53 • 5min

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Cultural Perspectives on Time and Transformation

23:45 • 20min

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Cultural Contrasts in Democracy and Education

44:00 • 12min

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Navigating Personal Finance Challenges

55:41 • 18min

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Navigating Homeownership Decisions for Young Buyers

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Heavily Meditated

8 Steps to Remove Your Triggers and Upgrade Your Mind

Dave Asprey

In 'Heavily Meditated', Dave Asprey combines ancient wisdom traditions and practices with modern technology and cutting-edge methods. The book is based on his immersive program '40 Years of Zen' and provides an 8-step approach to help readers remove their triggers and upgrade their mental well-being. Asprey draws on his extensive experience in biohacking and human performance optimization to offer practical advice for improving mental clarity and resilience.

You’re leaving brainpower on the table, and this episode shows you how to reclaim it. Learn how to boost cognitive performance by 25% without relying on pills, stimulants, or gimmicks. Host Dave Asprey sits down with global finance expert and cross-cultural thinker Richard Conrad to explore how your cultural programming shapes your biology, metabolism, neuroplasticity, and even your ability to reach peak human performance.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

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

Richard is the author of Culture Hacks and has spent over 30 years living and working across Japan, China, and the U.S. He’s a master of decoding hidden mental frameworks that influence perception, longevity, and decision-making. This is a must-listen if you care about brain optimization, functional medicine, and living smarter, not harder.

Together, they break down why different cultures process truth, time, and identity so differently and how these filters influence your beliefs about supplements, fasting, cold therapy, sleep optimization, and more. You’ll also learn why Americans are biologically wired for linear logic, how agrarian versus warrior cultures shaped meditation and nervous system regulation, and how to train your mitochondria to perform like a samurai’s.

You’ll Learn:

• Why your culture shapes how your brain processes reality

• How to shift from linear to systems thinking for better neuroplasticity

• The connection between meditation styles, nervous system wiring, and mitochondria

• How to apply ancient frameworks to modern biohacking and human performance

• Why longevity without financial planning is a broken strategy

• How to avoid cognitive bias by decoding relative versus absolute truth

This channel is packed with biohacking wisdom, from nootropics and ketosis to Danger Coffee, financial resilience, and how your beliefs about aging could be accelerating it. Whether you’re focused on hacking your brain, upgrading your metabolism, or extending your longevity, this is one of the most unique mind-expanding channels around. It is essential listening for anyone passionate about biohacking longevity, functional aging, mitochondrial testing, and next-gen human optimization.

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 is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.
OneSkin | Get 15% off your first purchase at https://oneskin.co/ASPREY with code ASPREY.
Generation Lab | Go to https://generationlab.com/, use code DAVE20 for $20 off, and see what your body’s really doing behind the surface.

Resources:

• Order Richard’s Book “Culture Hacks”: https://a.co/d/9122Q25

• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com

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

• 00:00 Trailer

• 01:10 Intro