EP 1297
1297. Biohacking Priests: The Religion of Anti-Aging That’s Defying Death – with Stephen Cave
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with philosopher and longevity scholar Dr. Stephen Cave to explore why the quest to defy death is no longer just science—it’s becoming a belief system. They examine how biohacking, nootropics, and human performance tools are shaping a new cultural movement around immortality, and why boredom, ego, and procrastination may be the biggest obstacles to living longer. You’ll learn about the four immortality narratives found in every culture, the ethics of mind uploading, and why hacking your biology with smarter tools like cold therapy, fasting, and supplements is only half the story. This conversation dives deep into neuroplasticity, purpose, AI, and why true longevity may demand more than just mitochondrial upgrades.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
What if death isn’t inevitable but a solvable problem? This episode explores how biohacking is reshaping our understanding of mortality, legacy, and the limits of human performance. You’ll learn why some of today’s top thinkers are treating longevity as both a science and a spiritual movement, and how this shift affects your brain, your mitochondria, and your entire approach to life.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with philosopher and best-selling author Dr. Stephen Cave, Director of the Institute for Technology and Humanity at the University of Cambridge. With decades of expertise studying death, immortality, and ethics, Dr. Cave brings a rare depth of insight into how our desire to live longer intersects with neuroplasticity, supplements, and even nootropics.
Together, they unpack the four universal immortality narratives, the dangers of mind uploading, and why AI might become humanity’s next god or destroyer. You’ll discover how legacy, ego, functional medicine, and even fasting and ketosis play into our fear of death. The conversation also dives into the deeper psychological and societal consequences of radical life extension, and what happens when biohacking crosses into belief.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about hacking longevity, brain optimization, metabolism, and building a future where living to 180 isn’t science fiction. You’ll also hear surprising thoughts on Danger Coffee, RFK, sleep optimization, and how to approach mortality using the Smarter Not Harder mindset.
You’ll Learn:
- Why all technology is a form of life extension
- How ego and boredom threaten longevity more than disease
- The real dangers of digital immortality and uploading consciousness
- Why procrastination could be the enemy of eternal life
- How to balance transhumanist tech with human values
- The surprising connection between cold therapy, supplements, and meaning
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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“The most dangerous idea in longevity is thinking we can skip ethics and just build the tech. That path leads nowhere good.”
Stephen Cave
- 00:00 Trailer
Quick-hit highlights that tease the most provocative moments from the episode.
- 01:09 Intro
Host Dave Asprey introduces the topic of death, longevity, and the biohacking lens on immortality.
- 01:39 Life Extension Challenges
Stephen Cave explores the philosophical and emotional problems with living to 200 and beyond.
- 02:05 Boredom and Mental Health
Why meaninglessness, procrastination, and isolation may be the true enemies of immortality.
- 04:28 Immortality vs. Enlightenment
Is the quest to live forever ego-driven or a spiritual evolution?
- 06:21 Death’s Role in Civilization
How mortality shaped human innovation, rituals, and the arc of societal development.
- 09:06 Life Stages and Aging
A breakdown of how education, work, and aging have shifted with longer lifespans.
- 10:41 Global Immortality Narratives
The four main stories cultures tell to escape death: elixirs, resurrection, souls, and legacy.
- 15:50 Personal Takes on Immortality
Dave and Stephen share their own beliefs about reincarnation, spiritual experience, and meaning.
- 20:46 Biohacking and Longevity
The rise of biohacking as a modern life-extension strategy and how it rewrites aging.
- 28:43 Transhumanism Today
How tech-driven enhancements could evolve humanity—or compromise it.
- 31:00 Techno-Utopianism and Happiness
Why technological progress doesn’t always lead to happiness, and what actually does.
- 32:20 Wealth and Fulfillment
Dave shares a personal story about chasing money and the illusion of “I’ll be happy when…”
- 32:54 Purpose and Meaning
The real drivers of fulfillment—purpose, relationships, and contribution—come into focus.
- 34:00 Legacy and Death
Does legacy matter if no one remembers you in 500 years?
- 36:33 Near-Death and Mortality
Dave recounts two near-death experiences and the impact on his mindset.
- 37:52 Time and Procrastination
Why adding years to life might also add more reasons to put things off.
- 42:00 AI and Human Future
Could AI become humanity’s god? And what values are we coding into it?
- 45:56 Ethics of Life Extension
The risks of racing ahead without considering the moral consequences.
- 50:35 Autonomy and Mortality
Why humans resist both forced death and forced immortality.
- 52:35 Dangerous Ideas in Longevity
The most misguided and risky beliefs in the life-extension movement today.
- 55:53 Advice for the Young
Stephen’s direct message to anyone who thinks death is optional.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- Stephens Website: https://www.ith.cam.ac.uk/staff/stephen-cave
- 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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