EP 1244
1244. Biohacking Stress: How to Engineer Your Tears to BOOST Longevity with Jeff Krasno
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with Jeff Krasno, founder of Commune and a leading voice on stress and resilience, to redefine how we view and harness stress for better health and longevity. Jeff reveals the science behind emotional tears as a stress-relief biohack, the critical role of cortisol in our well-being, and why balancing discomfort with recovery is essential for thriving in modern life. From his new book Good Stress to insights on navigating social media triggers and cold therapy, Jeff offers actionable strategies to turn stress into your ultimate tool for vitality and resilience.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
What if the key to living longer isn’t avoiding stress—but mastering it
Jeff Krasno, founder of Commune and renowned stress expert, joins Dave to reveal why most of us have stress all wrong. In this fascinating conversation, Jeff redefines how we think about stress—showing how it can be your greatest ally instead of your worst enemy. From his groundbreaking new book Good Stress to the ancient practices that have stood the test of time, Jeff shares how to unlock the hidden potential of stress to build resilience, foster connections, and boost longevity.
You’ll discover why crying is an emotional biohack, how to spot the fine line between good and bad stress, and why the modern world keeps us stuck in a chronic stress loop—and how to break free. Jeff also dives into the science of emotional regulation, the role of connection in health, and the radical power of embracing discomfort to create balance and ease in your life.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to turn stress into a tool for resilience and longevity
- Why Jeff calls chronic ease the root of modern disease
- The science of tears: how crying regulates stress and boosts health
- How you can build a “psychological immune system” for emotional regulation
- The key to balancing good stress and avoiding burnout
- Why discomfort is the path to growth—and how to embrace it
SPONSORS:
- Puori | Visit https://puori.com/dave and use code DAVE for 20% storewide
- Our Place | Head to https://fromourplace.com/ and use the code DAVE for 10% off your order.
“Chronic dis-ease is the result of chronic ease.”
Jeff Krasno
- 00:00 – Intro
Dave kicks off the episode with insights on modern stress and introduces today’s guest, Jeff Krasno.
- 01:02 – Meet Jeff Krasno
Jeff shares his journey as a community builder and his mission to create spaces for connection and growth.
- 02:16 – Topanga Fires Survival
Jeff recounts surviving the devastating Topanga Canyon fires and how it tested his resilience.
- 04:14 – Good Stress vs. Bad Stress
Jeff explains the difference between beneficial stress that builds resilience and chronic stress that harms health.
- 06:14 – Cortisol’s Role in Stress
The critical role of cortisol in stress management and its impact on the body are unpacked.
- 13:13 – Social Media Triggers
Jeff and Dave discuss how social media manipulates our stress response and emotional regulation.
- 20:32 – Stressful Conversations
How leaning into difficult conversations can foster personal growth and emotional resilience.
- 31:34 – Cold Therapy Benefits
The physiological and psychological benefits of cold exposure for building stress tolerance.
- 42:26 – Stress and Recovery Balance
Why balancing stress with proper recovery is crucial for long-term health and longevity.
- 45:58 – High Altitude Training
Jeff shares his experiences with altitude training and the body’s adaptive stress response.
- 47:29 – Cold Therapy Fails
A humorous recount of cold therapy mishaps and the importance of knowing your limits.
- 49:42 – Science of Crying
Jeff dives into the surprising science of emotional tears and their role in stress relief.
- 54:51 – Reflections on Legacy
Jeff shares his thoughts on creating meaningful connections and the legacy he hopes to leave.
- 59:37 – Balancing Stress and Ease
Exploring how to find harmony between good stress and moments of ease in daily life.
- 01:10:30 – Nature and Spirituality
The profound connection between nature, spirituality, and fostering resilience.
- 01:22:52 – Facing Death with Grace
Jeff reflects on mortality, surrender, and the spiritual lessons tied to life’s end.
- 01:32:53 – Closing Thoughts
Dave and Jeff wrap up the conversation with gratitude and actionable takeaways for listeners.
Resources:
- 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
- Jeff Krasno’s Website – https://www.jeffkrasno.com/
- Pre-order Good Stress – https://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook#preorder
- Follow Jeff on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jeffkrasno
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
- Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
- Dave Asprey’s Book – Smarter Not Harder: https://daveasprey.com/books
- 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
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