EP 1283
1283. The Biohacker’s Guide to CIA Mind Control & Brainwashing | Rebecca Lemov
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with Harvard historian Rebecca Lemov to expose the real-world tactics behind CIA mind control, MK Ultra, and modern psychological manipulation. They dive into how government experiments shaped today’s persuasion tools and what biohackers can do to protect cognitive freedom. You’ll learn how to spot hidden influence, build mental resilience, and reclaim control using science-backed tools from mindfulness, neuroscience, and emotional self-regulation.
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
You’re being programmed, and it’s more subtle and pervasive than you think. From invisible influence to psychological manipulation, this episode shows you how to recognize when your thoughts aren’t really yours.
Host Dave Asprey uncovers the hidden science of mind control with Harvard historian Rebecca Lemov. She is a professor of the History of Science at Harvard University and one of the world’s leading experts on psychological manipulation, surveillance science, government experimentation, and Cold War brainwashing programs. Her groundbreaking research into MK Ultra, behavioral psychology, and reeducation campaigns reveals exactly how external forces hijack your thoughts, emotions, and decisions, without you knowing.
They break down how mind control evolved from CIA-funded brain implants and LSD experiments into today’s algorithmic persuasion, trauma-based manipulation, and tech-driven influence. This episode gives you practical tools to defend your thoughts, upgrade your awareness, and reclaim your mental sovereignty.
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, mindfulness, longevity, mental performance, self-awareness, hacking the nervous system, emotional control, and high-performance mindset training.
You’ll Learn:
- How the CIA used MK Ultra, psychedelics, hypnosis, and implants to test behavior control
- What mind control looks like in modern media, social platforms, and persuasive technology
- How unresolved trauma and emotional blind spots leave you vulnerable to manipulation
- The connection between neurohacking, mindset, and mental autonomy
- How to recognize when you are running someone else’s code
- The best psychological tools to build resilience and conscious awareness
- How to build a “mental firewall” with meditation, breathwork, and attention training
Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:
https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR
Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.
SPONSORS:
-Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.
-Zbiotics | Go to https://zbiotics.com/DAVE for 15% off your first order.
-OneSkin | Get 15% off your first purchase at https://oneskin.co/ASPREY with code ASPREY.
“We can’t just think our way out of it; you have to run it through your heart.”
Rebecca Lemov
00:00 – Trailer
Quick teaser of what to expect in this episode about CIA mind control and how to resist it.
01:01 – Intro
Dave introduces Rebecca Lemov and frames the episode around psychological resilience and cognitive freedom.
01:49 – Mind Control at Harvard
Rebecca shares how Harvard became a hub for studying and documenting mind control research.
02:54 – Hypnosis and Mental Programming
Discussion on hypnotism, meditation, and the thin line between programming and awareness.
04:48 – Morning Routines and Meditation
Rebecca and Dave share their early routines and how discipline supports mindfulness and control.
06:02 – AI Companions and Digital Influence
They explore how chatbots, AI, and digital tools can subtly manipulate emotional states.
11:17 – MK Ultra and Government Experiments
Deep dive into CIA’s MK Ultra project, brain implants, and real historical cases.
20:25 – Archives and the War on Truth
Why preserving records matters, and how historical truth is becoming more fragile in the digital age.
24:49 – Marketing and Manipulation
The psychology of advertising, social engineering, and how persuasion blurs into control.
27:22 – Chilling CIA Mind Control Stories
Real examples of unethical psychological experiments and their long-term effects.
33:59 – Meditation and God Encounters
Dave shares his experience with the “God Helmet” and altered states through meditation.
34:40 – Biohacking Origins
How early biohacking was influenced by military and psychological experimentation.
35:15 – Building Mental Resilience
Why psychological defense is key for biohackers, and how to train your awareness.
36:11 – Compassion as Control
Stories of monks and mind control, and the paradox of strength through compassion.
37:54 – Escaping Modern Programming
How to spot when you’re running someone else’s code and reclaim your mental autonomy.
39:57 – Free Will vs. Influence
Debating how much of your behavior is truly free and how much is conditioned.
46:03 – Therapy and Suggestion
How therapy can become a tool for programming if you’re not conscious of transference.
49:25 – SEER Training and Torture Simulation
How the military built psychological resistance training using extreme simulations.
01:03:27 – One-Pointed Focus
The power of single-minded awareness as a tool against manipulation.
01:06:46 – Final Reflections
Closing thoughts on autonomy, awareness, and choosing your own reality.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- Rebecca’s New Book – The Instability of Truth – https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324075264
- Rebecca’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccalemov/?hl=en
- 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!
LISTEN:
“Follow” or “subscribe” to The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey on your favorite podcast platform.
REVIEW:
Go to Apple Podcasts at daveasprey.com/apple and leave a (hopefully) 5-star rating and a creative review.
FEEDBACK:
Got a comment, idea or question for the podcast? Submit via this form!
SOCIAL:
Follow @thehumanupgradepodcast on Instagram and Facebook.
JOIN:
Learn directly from Dave Asprey alongside others in a membership group: ourupgradecollective.com.
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
Similar Episodes
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
BOOKS
4X NEW YORK TIMES
BEST-SELLING SCIENCE AUTHOR
Smarter
Not Harder
Smarter Not Harder: The Biohacker’s Guide to Getting the Body and Mind You Want is about helping you to become the best version of yourself by embracing laziness while increasing your energy and optimizing your biology.
Also Available
