The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Sulforaphane, Curcumin, and NEW GLP-1 Drugs (Biohacking for Longevity) : 1323

66 snips

Sep 4, 2025

David Roberts and John Gildea, both Johns Hopkins-trained researchers, delve deep into the benefits of sulforaphane and its potential to enhance detox pathways and metabolism, revealing the surprising downsides of regular broccoli. They discuss how targeted supplements like curcumin and berberine can outperform traditional diets and weight-loss drugs. The conversation also includes how biohacking strategies—from fasting to nootropics—can boost brain health and performance, highlighting innovative ways to maximize nutrition without pharmaceutical side effects.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Sulforaphane Activates All Detox Phases

Purified sulforaphane (not its precursor) uniquely activates all three liver detox phases via NRF2 induction.
This single compound turns on 200+ antioxidant genes and sustains the response for ~72 hours.

INSIGHT

Mature Broccoli vs Sprouts Differ Chemically

Mature broccoli contains compounds (I3C, DIM) that can act as goitrogens and may affect thyroid if iodine is low.
Broccoli sprouts/seeds lack the same thyroid-blocking profile and deliver sulforaphane without that risk.

ADVICE

Activate Broccoli With A Myrosinase Source

Eat raw radish (or similar) with cooked cruciferous to provide myrosinase and generate sulforaphane.
Grow broccoli and radish seeds yourself or use activated extracts if you want reliable sulforaphane activation.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Most people think broccoli is a superfood, but the reality is more nuanced. In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey explores the good and bad of broccoli—why adult broccoli can block thyroid function and cause gut issues, while broccoli seeds deliver sulforaphane, the powerful compound that activates all three of your body’s detox pathways. You’ll learn how sulforaphane protects against glyphosate, repairs leaky gut, and upgrades mitochondria, metabolism, and longevity.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

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

Dave is joined by two Johns Hopkins–trained researchers whose expertise in biohacking, biochemistry, and functional medicine makes them trusted leaders in the field. Together they reveal how sulforaphane, berberine, curcumin, and alpha-lipoic acid outperform bulk vegetables and even rival GLP-1 weight loss drugs—delivering natural ways to improve metabolism, regulate dopamine, and protect the brain. Their research shows how targeted supplements can boost neuroplasticity, brain optimization, and human performance without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

Dave and his guests break down why bulk vegetables don’t deliver enough beneficial compounds, how to hack plant toxins for maximum benefit, and why supplement stacks often outperform carnivore, vegan, or high-vegetable diets for long-term health. You’ll discover how biohacking tools like fasting, ketosis, nootropics, cold therapy, and sleep optimization amplify these compounds for smarter not harder living.

You’ll Learn:

• Why adult broccoli can disrupt thyroid function while broccoli seeds fuel detox and longevity

• How sulforaphane, berberine, curcumin, and alpha-lipoic acid support metabolism and mitochondria

• Why natural compounds can rival GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and energy regulation

• The connection between glyphosate, leaky gut, inflammation, and brain fog

• How to stack supplements with fasting, ketosis, and cold therapy for brain optimization

• Why functional medicine and biohacking provide better long-term solutions than fad diets

• The smarter not harder way to extract benefits from plants without the toxic load

This episode is essential for anyone serious about biohacking, upgrading metabolism, extending longevity, and achieving high performance with resilience and clarity.

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, Thursday, and Friday (audio-only) where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.

Keywords: sulforaphane supplements, broccoli seed extract, detox pathways phase 1 2 3, NRF2 activation, glyphosate gut health, leaky gut repair biohacking, thyroid blockers broccoli, DIM I3C compounds, functional medicine detox, Johns Hopkins biohacking research, berberine metabolism, alpha lipoic acid mitochondria, curcumin weight loss, GLP-1 natural alternatives, dopamine metabolism regulation, neuroplasticity supplements, fasting and sulforaphane, ketosis and detox synergy, smarter not harder supplements, Dave Asprey broccoli

Mara Labs Website: https://mara-labs.com/Dave for 28% off!

Resources:

-Mara Labs Website: https://mara-labs.com/Dave

for 28% off!

-BrocElite link: https://partnerships.mara-labs.com/4H6KD28/TZW7X/?&sub4=biohack&uid=123

-GLPerfect link: https://partnerships.mara-labs.com/4H6KD28/TZW7X/?&sub4=biohack&uid=123

Thank you to our sponsors!

EMR-Tek | https://www.emr-tek.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 40% off.
Timeline | Head to https://www.timeline.com/dave to get 10% off your first order.
Calroy | Head to https://calroy.com/dave for an exclusive discount.

Resources:

• Mara Labs Website: NEED TO INSERT CODE

• 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 — Introduction

01:49 — Broccoli Benefits & Risks