If your hair is thinning, shedding, or simply not what it used to be—and nothing seems to work—this episode is for you. Because what if the story you’ve been told about balding… is wrong?
For decades, hair loss has felt like fate: genetic, inevitable, untouchable. But science is catching up to something deeper—something root-level. What if the real culprit behind age-related hair loss is cellular dysfunction? And what if we could change that?
In this episode, Dave Asprey uncovers the cellular biology of hair thinning with longevity researcher Carolina Reis Oliveira. You’ll learn how senescent cells (aka zombie cells) hijack your scalp, disrupt follicle function, and silently accelerate hair loss—and how a breakthrough peptide might stop it cold.
Carolina reveals brand-new clinical research on OS-01, a molecule shown to increase hair density by 40% in just 6 months. But this isn’t a product pitch—it’s a paradigm shift. Together, they explore the hidden drivers of hair aging, from hormone shifts and stress cascades to microbiome imbalances and inflammation, plus the real science behind what can actually regrow hair.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• How “zombie cells” (senescent cells) sabotage your hair from the inside out
• The science behind the OS-01 peptide and how it reverses visible hair thinning
• Why thinning hair isn’t just genetic—and what else is driving it
• How stress, hormones, and aging collide to trigger follicle dysfunction
• What your scalp microbiome has to do with regrowth and hair density
• How to stack red light, peptides, and topicals for real, measurable results
***Visit oneskin.co/DAVE and use code DAVE for and additional 15% off.***
Resources:
• Dave Asprey’s New Book - Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
• OneSkin Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/oneskin.co/
• OneSkin Website: https://www.oneskin.co/
• 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey
• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com
Timestamps:
• 00:00 — Trailer
• 01:52 — Intro
• 02:59 — Is Aging Optional for Your Scalp?
• 04:03 — Understanding Scalp and Hair Aging
• 05:06 — The Role of Senescent Cells in Hair Loss
• 07:25 — Hormonal Influences on Hair Health
• 16:10 — Peptide Solutions for Hair Thinning
• 18:05 — Clinical Studies and Results
• 20:29 — Future of Hair Loss Treatments
• 30:16 — Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors
• 36:40 — Addressing Senescent Cells and Hair Growth
• 37:29 — Minoxidil: Oral vs. Topical Use
• 39:32 — Personal Experience with Hair Products
• 40:25 — Combining Therapies for Hair Growth
• 46:06 — Nutritional Factors in Hair Health
• 52:20 — Sun Exposure and Hair Health
• 56:40 — Coffee and Hair Growth
• 01:00:01 — Launching the New Hair Product
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The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey