EP 1282
1282. Military Tech Goes Public: Think 30% Faster with This Brain Hack | Geoffrey Woo
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with Geoffrey Woo to explore the military-tested brain fuel that boosts reaction time, sharpens focus, and supports emotional resilience. They break down the evolution of ketone technology, why Special Forces use it under extreme conditions, and how everyday high performers can harness it for mental clarity, faster thinking, and metabolic strength. You’ll also hear insights on biohacking consciousness, the future of performance biomarkers, and how to build a brain that’s harder to hijack.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Your brain runs slow when it’s running on the wrong fuel.
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with Geoffrey Woo, Stanford-trained computer scientist and founder of Ketone-IQ, to reveal the high-performance brain fuel once reserved for Special Forces and elite athletes.
Discover how ketones helped operators in combat zones sharpen focus, recover faster, and boost reaction speed by up to 30%. Learn why glucose falls short, how to hack your mitochondria for better cognition, and what it takes to unlock rapid-fire thinking on demand.
This is brain energy for people who want to want life, work, and everything in between. Whether you’re fasting, flying, or facing real pressure, ketones flip the switch.
You’ll Learn:
- Why ketones beat glucose for focus, speed, and mental clarity
- How Special Forces use ketones to recover brain function under stress
- The truth about esters, salts, and the new wave of ketone diols
- How ketones support faster thinking, emotional control, and clean energy
- What makes Ketone-IQ different, and how Dave stacks it for peak performance
- The best ways to combine ketones with fasting, workouts, and meditation
- Why your metabolism controls your mood, reaction time, and resilience
“I just want to be hard to kill, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”
Geoffrey Woo
- 00:00 – Trailer
Quick preview of what you’ll learn about brain speed, ketones, and Special Forces performance.
- 02:00 – Intro
Dave introduces Geoffrey Woo and sets the stage for the ketone conversation.
- 02:12 – Ketosis & brain performance
Why ketones fuel faster thinking and reduce brain inflammation.
- 02:53 – Geoffrey’s background
From Stanford computer science to launching Ketone-IQ.
- 03:52 – Ketone supplement evolution
How esters, salts, and diols changed the ketone landscape.
- 04:41 – What makes Ketone-IQ different
The science behind ketone diols and why they’re game-changing.
- 07:18 – Manufacturing breakthroughs
Scaling ketone production with cleaner tech and better taste.
- 13:53 – Entrepreneur mindset
Lessons on resilience, pattern recognition, and long-term thinking.
- 18:58 – Future of biohacking
Where human performance is headed—and what’s holding it back.
- 45:59 – Why classics still matter
Geoff and Dave on the brain benefits of reading deep, old books.
- 46:23 – Cultural decline
What happens when society loses its shared references.
- 47:04 – Decentralization
How tech and biohacking shift power away from centralized systems.
- 48:25 – Info overload & mental clarity
Protecting your brain from modern distraction and dopamine hijacks.
- 49:38 – Ketones & consciousness
How metabolic fuel influences meditation, altered states, and inner work.
- 57:49 – Religion & belief systems
The role of myth, structure, and meaning in long-term human behavior.
- 01:03:32 – Key biohacking biomarkers
The blood tests that actually matter for energy, resilience, and performance.
- 01:12:47 – Brain data & future upgrades
Real-time feedback, neurotech, and the next wave of performance tools.
- 01:26:34 – Listener offer
A special deal from Ketone-IQ for The Human Upgrade audience.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- Ketone-IQ Website – https://ketone.com/pages/dave-asprey?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=DAVE
- Geoffrey’s Website: https://www.geoffreywoo.com/
- 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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