EP 1293
1293. The Plants That Reverse Aging And Block Daily Toxins — with Darin Olien
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with environmental health expert and longevity explorer Darin Olien to expose the toxic threats hiding in plain sight—and the plants that can help reverse the damage. From PFAS in your floss to endocrine disruptors in your air freshener, they break down how invisible toxins are wrecking your mitochondria, hormones, and long-term health. You’ll learn how rare plant compounds like osmotin trigger adiponectin, cellular repair, and deep resilience, while also discovering the everyday habits that silently sabotage your biology. This episode fuses biohacking, detox science, and human performance to help you build a cleaner body, sharper mind, and longer life.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Your everyday habits might be accelerating aging, and this episode reveals what to do instead. You’ll learn how specific plants trigger powerful longevity pathways and how to eliminate the hidden toxins disrupting your hormones, brain, mitochondria, and overall health. This is a masterclass in biohacking from two experts who’ve spent decades researching how to upgrade the human body.
Host Dave Asprey is joined by Darin Olien, environmental health expert, bestselling author of Fatal Conveniences, and co-host of the Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron. Darin has traveled the globe uncovering forgotten plant compounds, investigated the most overlooked environmental toxins, and now works with leading scientists and governments to bring these breakthroughs into functional medicine and human performance.
Together, they break down:
- How rare plant compounds like osmotin support adiponectin and mitochondrial repair
- Why PFAS, synthetic fragrances, and EMFs are sabotaging your biology
- How environmental toxins contribute to hormone disruption and infertility
- What makes tap water so dangerous and how to fix it with simple filtration
- Why microplastics and heavy metals are harder to avoid than ever
- The role of habit design, detox protocols, and indoor air quality in biohacking longevity
- Why removing toxins first leads to better results in fasting, ketosis, nootropics, and cold therapy
This episode delivers practical tools for building resilience, improving detox capacity, and navigating the modern world with awareness. You’ll also get insights into the systems that have failed to protect public health and how personal action can create collective change.
If you’re interested in senolytics, sleep optimization, neurohacking, and smarter ways to upgrade your environment, you’ll find those topics explored in depth throughout this channel.
Whether you’re detoxing from hidden toxins or optimizing with Danger Coffee, this conversation aligns with the core principles of Smarter Not Harder and the mission of Upgrade Labs.
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.
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“Clean mind. Clean body. Clean spirit. When you clear the toxins, you create space to become who you’re meant to be.”
Darin Olien
- 00:00 Trailer
A rapid-fire preview of the most shocking toxins, healing plants, and surprising longevity hacks featured in this episode.
- 01:10 Intro
Host Dave Asprey sets the stage for a no-BS conversation on biohacking, resilience, and environmental health.
- 02:14 Meet Darin Olien
Darin shares his background as a wellness explorer, environmental activist, and co-host of Down to Earth.
- 04:26 Wildfires and Pollution
How manmade disasters and poor infrastructure fuel toxic exposure—and what Darin lost in the Woolsey Fire.
- 07:13 PFAS and Everyday Toxins
Why “forever chemicals” are in your floss, tap water, and cookware—and how to avoid them.
- 12:37 Corporate and Regulatory Failure
The hidden relationship between big industry and broken government watchdogs like the EPA and FDA.
- 26:36 Synthetic Fragrances
The truth about air fresheners, colognes, and car scents that act as unregulated endocrine disruptors.
- 36:12 Water and Air Filtration
Simple home upgrades that protect your biology from invisible toxins in your shower, sink, and HVAC.
- 36:53 Indoor Air Quality
How off-gassing, flame retardants, and poor ventilation impact brain and mitochondrial health.
- 38:33 Building Healthy Habits
Why the first step in high performance is removing the sources of hidden stress and inflammation.
- 40:05 Essential Oils and Hormones
A debate over lavender, man boobs, and how some “natural” scents can mess with your endocrine system.
- 41:54 Tofu, Tempeh, and Estrogen
Dave and Darin go head-to-head over soy, phytoestrogens, and whether plant-based proteins harm or help.
- 46:34 Adiponectin and Biohacking
The fat-burning, inflammation-fighting hormone you want more of—and how to naturally support it.
- 47:04 Osmotin for Longevity
The little-known plant compound turning heads in aging science for its regenerative and neuroprotective potential.
- 49:48 Stem Cells and Repair
How to activate your own stem cells using food, stress modulation, and ancient plant intelligence.
- 53:57 Communicating Science
Why it’s hard to share real biohacking breakthroughs in a world of clickbait, censorship, and confusion.
- 01:04:12 Nutrition and the Microbiome
How food affects your performance, pain, and long-term resilience—based on your gut, not trends.
- 01:06:14 Final Thoughts
A call to action to reduce toxins, reclaim your health, and build a cleaner, stronger future from the inside out.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- Darin’s Website – https://superlife.com/
- Darin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darinolien/
- 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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