EP 1270
1270. Dr. Steven Gundry: Is Fungus Secretly Running the World—and Your Gut?
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with renowned heart surgeon turned gut-brain pioneer Dr. Steven Gundry to expose the invisible forces shaping your mind and body: microbes.
If you’ve ever struggled with brain fog, stubborn cravings, or unexplained mood swings, this conversation will shift your perspective—literally. Dr. Gundry reveals how bacteria, fungi, and even viruses in your gut don’t just influence your health… they may be controlling your thoughts.
Together, they explore the radical science behind the gut-brain axis, why probiotics often fail, and how addiction, obesity, and neuroinflammation might stem from a broken internal ecosystem. You’ll also hear how AI and postbiotics are opening the door to personalized microbiome rewilding—and why your mental clarity starts in your gut.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
If your brain feels foggy, your mood swings like a pendulum, or your cravings seem to control you—this episode will flip what you think you know about your body and your mind. Because what if your thoughts… aren’t really yours?
In this mind-altering episode of The Human Upgrade, Dr. Steven Gundry reveals a startling new theory: your gut microbiome might be controlling your thoughts. From addiction and depression to obesity and inflammation, the microbes living in your gut—bacteria, fungi, viruses, even parasites—may be pulling the strings on your brain chemistry, mood, and behavior.
Dave Asprey and Dr. Gundry explore the Gut-Brain Connection through the lens of biohacking gut health, exposing how the gut microbiome acts more like a microbial command center than a digestive system. They dive into the science of the addiction-driven microbiome, gut bacteria and behavior, and how glyphosate and gut damage have silently dismantled our internal balance.
You’ll learn why probiotics vs. postbiotics is the wrong question, how fermented foods can help rewild your terrain, and what truly causes leaky gut. Plus, they challenge assumptions around the carnivore diet and explore the future of personalized microbiome treatment using precision inputs and AI.
Most shocking of all? Microbes may not just influence addiction—they may cause it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How your gut microbiome can hijack your brain and influence your thoughts and behavior
- Why certain microbes may actually cause addiction, obesity, and depression
- How antibiotics, glyphosate, and processed foods are turning your gut into a desert
- How to rebuild your gut ecosystem using postbiotics, fermented foods, and precision inputs
- Why food cravings might be microbial mind control—and what to do about it
- What the latest science reveals about the gut-brain axis, neurotransmitters, and neuroinflammation
Sponsors:
-Sunlighten | Go to https://www.sunlighten.com/dave/ and enter code DAVE at checkout to save up to $1,400.
-Timeline | Head to https://www.timeline.com/dave to get 10% off your first order.
“Microbes in your gut may be controlling your thoughts—and that should terrify us.”
Dr. Steven Gundry
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- 00:00— Trailer
A preview of the episode’s boldest ideas: microbial mind control, food cravings, and the gut-brain revolution.
- 02:01— Intro
Dave introduces Dr. Steven Gundry and sets the stage for a deep dive into his new book, The Gut-Brain Paradox.
- 03:55— The Gut-Brain Connection
Exploring how gut microbes influence neurotransmitters and potentially hijack our decision-making.
- 04:45— Microbiome Communication and Control
Dr. Gundry explains how microbes send genetic “text messages” that alter gene expression and brain function.
- 08:19— The Role of Fungi and Plants
How plants and fungi control bacteria—and possibly us—through ancient, intelligent systems of exchange.
- 11:29— Microbiome Diversity and Health
Why supercentenarians thrive with rainforest-like gut diversity—and what most people are missing.
- 19:05— Addictive Microbiome and Behavior
Revealing how certain gut microbes may cause addiction, influence relapse, and perpetuate compulsive behaviors.
- 28:17— Antibiotics and Gut Health
Why antibiotics may worsen conditions like SIBO by damaging the gut lining and disrupting microbial balance.
- 30:49— Listener Concerns and Gut Health
Dave raises questions about restoring gut health after heavy antibiotic use and microbial imbalance.
- 31:02— Whale Watching and Climate Change
Dr. Gundry uses ecological shifts in whale populations as an analogy for microbial migration in the gut.
- 32:58— Understanding SIBO and Bacterial Migration
SIBO explained through the lens of oral bacteria moving into the small intestine in search of sugar.
- 34:02— The Role of Soluble Fiber and Fermented Foods
Why fiber alone doesn’t rebuild the microbiome—and how fermented foods activate the ecosystem.
- 36:12— Complexity of Gut Microbiome
The microbiome functions like a metabolic assembly line—each species reliant on the output of another.
- 36:49— Restoring Ecosystems and Gut Health
Dave compares gut healing to rewilding a damaged landscape—planting microbes without terrain fails.
- 38:23— Precision Microbiome Manipulation
How AI could soon allow us to repair specific metabolic gaps by customizing microbial inputs.
- 41:31— Calcium Formation and Gut Bacteria
New science links gut bacteria and LPS to calcification in arteries through epigenetic signaling.
- 43:56— Oxalates vs. Lectins Debate
Gundry argues lectins are the most dangerous plant defense system—more harmful than oxalates.
- 46:04— Whole Foods and Glyphosate Concerns
A discussion on why people tolerate wheat in Europe but react to it in the U.S.—with glyphosate as the main suspect.
- 51:47— Dopamine Levels and Gut Health
How a balanced gut affects dopamine sensitivity, cravings, and antidepressant effectiveness.
- 54:59— Conclusion and Book Promotion
Dave wraps the show with key takeaways and a strong recommendation to read The Gut-Brain Paradox.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- Dr. Gundry’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drstevengundry/?hl=en
- Dr. Gundry’s Website: https://drgundry.com/
- Dr. Gundry’s New Book The Gut-Brain Paradox: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gut-brain-paradox-steven-r-gundry-md/1146019686?ean=9780062911803
- 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
Enjoy the show!
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