EP 1301
1301. Easy Oxygen Hacking for Mitochondria (The 15-Minute Upgrade)
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey dives into one of the most overlooked tools in biohacking: Exercise With Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). Joined by engineer-turned-wellness innovator Brad Pitzele, Dave unpacks how a simple 15-minute protocol can supercharge mitochondria, slash inflammation, and drive massive gains in metabolism, energy, and brain clarity. Brad shares his personal battle with autoimmune illness and how building his own EWOT system led to the creation of One Thousand Roads. Together, they explore how oxygen saturation, functional movement, and smart supplementation can restore peak performance and reverse cellular aging. You’ll learn how to stack this protocol with red light, ketosis, and nootropics for amplified results. This episode is a masterclass in oxygen hacking, functional recovery, and smarter not harder human performance.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Supercharge your mitochondria, slash inflammation, and boost energy with one of the most overlooked tools in mitochondrial biohacking. This episode reveals how just 15 minutes of exercise with oxygen therapy (EWOT) can radically improve metabolism, enhance brain optimization, and even reverse chronic illness, without expensive gear, complex protocols, or clinic-only treatments.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Brad Pitzele, founder of One Thousand Roads and creator of the LEO System, an affordable oxygen therapy solution designed for daily home use. After nearly dying from autoimmune conditions and the side effects of immune-suppressing drugs, Brad engineered his way out using high-dose oxygen therapy for chronic illness. His story is a case study in resilience, innovation, and what’s possible when you hack biology at the mitochondrial level.
You’ll learn:
- How oxygen therapyworks differently from hyperbaric chambersand why it’s faster and more accessible
- Why inflammation and oxygenare biologically inseparable, and how oxygen restores cellular function
- How to detox with oxygen therapyand activate mitochondrial healing at scale
- When and how to stack EWOT with red light therapy, ketosis, nootropics, and supplements for maximum effect
- Why elite athletes and chronically ill patients are turning to oxygen-based protocolsfor faster results
- How to use EWOT as a daily tool in your “Smarter Not Harder”biohacking stack
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, functional medicine, brain optimization, supplements, fasting, and long-term longevity.
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.
Get a free Ebook on EWOT to learn more today:
SPONSORS:
- Puori | Head to http://puori.com/dave for 20% off, including subscriptions.
- BON CHARGE | Go to https://boncharge.com and use code DAVE for 15% off.
- Zbiotics | Go to https://zbiotics.com/DAVE for 15% off your first order.
“Perfection is the enemy of progress. If you’re doing it, you’re getting benefits.”
Brad Pitzele
- 00:00Trailer
Preview the episode’s core themes: mitochondria, metabolism, and the oxygen hack that changed everything.
- 01:10Introduction
Host Dave Asprey shares his early biohacking journey and sets the stage for EWOT’s powerful potential.
- 02:38Discovering EWOT
Dave recalls his first experience using Exercise With Oxygen Therapy in the 1990s.
- 03:55Autoimmune Breakdown
Guest Brad Pitzele opens up about life-threatening autoimmune illness and ineffective functional medicine treatments.
- 06:54Building One Thousand Roads
Brad explains how DIY oxygen therapy saved his health and led to launching his company.
- 15:00EWOT Science & Benefits
How EWOT impacts inflammation, detox, energy, and mitochondrial performance at the cellular level.
- 20:54Protocols & Use Cases
How to use the LEO system, ideal intensity, duration, and who benefits most from EWOT.
- 29:03Real-World Results
What users report: better sleep, clearer thinking, more energy, and faster recovery.
- 30:11Brain Fog & Oxygen
Why the brain responds quickly to EWOT and how oxygen drives cognitive clarity.
- 30:58Athletic Performance
How elite athletes use EWOT to boost VO2 max, endurance, and post-workout recovery.
- 31:41Therapy Stacking
How to combine EWOT with red light, supplements, ketosis, and other biohacks for amplified results.
- 34:44Mitochondria & Aging
How oxygen hacking restores youthful blood flow and drives mitochondrial biogenesis.
- 37:08Research & Studies
What the science says about EWOT, hyperoxic exercise, and cellular rejuvenation.
- 40:00Future of Oxygen Therapy
What’s coming next in the field: new tools, access, affordability, and personalization.
- 43:02Practical Tips & Access
Cost breakdown, space requirements, and how to use EWOT at home or in a lab setting.
- 51:09Final Takeaways
Why oxygen matters more than you think and how to get started with smarter, not harder, biohacking.
Resources:
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
- One Thousand Roads Website: http://onethousandroads.com/
- One Thousand Roads YouTube (more info on EWOT) : https://www.youtube.com/@OneThousandRoadsHQ
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
- Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
- Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey
- Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
- Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
- Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com
- 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com
Enjoy the show!
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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.
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