EP 1251
1251. Rick Rubin: How to Hack Your Mind for Creative Breakthroughs
Rick Rubin unlocks the secrets to creative mastery, revealing how meditation, mindfulness, and biohacking fuel artistic breakthroughs. He and Dave explore the unseen forces behind creativity, the role of sensitivity in music production, and the daily rituals that keep Rick at the top of his game. From cerebral electrical stimulation and red light therapy to fasting and peptides, discover how biohacking can enhance focus, intuition, and longevity. Whether you’re an artist, innovator, or simply seeking to elevate your creative mind, this episode delivers powerful insights you can use now.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Most people wait for inspiration. But what if you could train your brain to create on demand?
Rick Rubin has spent decades shaping the sound of legendary artists—Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Metallica, and countless others—by tapping into the unseen forces of creativity. But what’s the secret behind his genius?
In this must-listen episode, Rick sits down with Dave to explore the science and soul of creativity, revealing how meditation, mindfulness, biohacking, and unconventional thinking fuel artistic breakthroughs. From rewiring your brain with meditation to stacking biohacks for peak creative flow, Rick shares the techniques that have kept him at the top of the music industry for over 40 years.
Dave and Rick go deep on the mental and physiological hacks that enhance creative performance, the surprising link between biohacking and artistry, and the rituals that keep Rick sharp, focused, and endlessly inspired.
What You’ll Learn:
- How Rick Rubin taps into creative flow—and how you can too
- The surprising connection between meditation and peak artistic performance
- Why biohacking isn’t just for longevity—it’s for creative mastery
- Rick’s favorite tools for mental clarity, focus, and creative breakthroughs
- The real secret behind working with the world’s biggest artists
- How to cultivate an environment that fuels creativity
SPONSORS:
Omni-Biotic | Visit omnibioticlife.com/dave and use code DAVE20 for 20% off.
BodyHealth | Go to https://bodyhealth.com/ and use code DAVE20 for 20% off your first order of PerfectAmino.
“We don’t set the intention of what we want to make—we just know we want it to be good, and we’re open to the process. It’s the same with biohacking. You try things, and you don’t always know why they work, but if they do, that’s all that matters.”
Rick Rubin
- 00:00 – Trailer
Rick’s nighttime routine, including the Fisher Wallace device, red light therapy, and sauna benefits.
- 00:51 – Intro to Rick Rubin
Dave introduces Rick Rubin and his profound influence on the music industry.
- 02:51 – Rick’s Musical Journey
How Rick discovered his passion for music and the origins of his legendary career.
- 03:06 – The Creative Process
The magic behind musical breakthroughs and how subtle shifts transform good into great.
- 08:31 – Biohacking & Sensitivity
How Rick’s heightened sensitivity impacts his work and how he manages it through biohacking.
- 13:46 – Meditation & Creativity
Rick’s approach to meditation, from Transcendental Meditation to Metta practice, and how it fuels creativity.
- 19:37 – Rick’s Weight Loss Story
His 130-pound transformation, the pitfalls of veganism, and the diet that changed his life.
- 29:21 – Eating Habits & Rhythm
How Rick structures his meals, intermittent fasting, and aligning food with circadian rhythms.
- 29:55 – Advanced Biohacking
The cutting-edge techniques Rick uses, from cerebral electrical stimulation to red light therapy.
- 31:23 – Oxygen Therapy & Carbogen
The power of oxygen manipulation for brain function, including insights from Russian space research.
- 35:16 – Peptides & Longevity
How peptides can reverse aging, support immunity, and enhance overall performance.
- 45:59 – Prayer, Gratitude & Performance
The overlooked role of spirituality in biohacking and how gratitude shapes Rick’s mindset.
- 51:03 – Reflections on Life & Mortality
Rick’s perspective on longevity, acceptance, and the lessons learned from near-death experiences.
Resources:
- 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
- Rick’s New Book The Creative Act: A way of Being: https://a.co/d/2bLbjeS
- Rick’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickrubin/?hl=en
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- 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
Enjoy the show!
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