EP 1319

1319. You Have A 25% Chance to Lose All Your Memory (Longevity Secrets)

In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey uncovers why Alzheimer’s may no longer be an inevitable diagnosis—and how new science shows it can be prevented, and even reversed. Joined by world-renowned neurologist and Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Dale Bredesen, they reveal how genetics, toxins, inflammation, and metabolism drive cognitive decline, and why early prevention is the ultimate longevity strategy. You’ll learn how biohacking tools like ketosis, fasting, sleep optimization, cold therapy, and targeted supplements can protect your mitochondria, enhance brain optimization, and extend your healthspan. The conversation explores APOE4 risk, mitochondrial transfusions, the role of functional medicine, and the network-based model that makes Alzheimer’s optional. Whether you want sharper cognition today or resilience against dementia decades from now, this episode gives you the smarter not harder roadmap for protecting your brain and upgrading human performance. 

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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...

Alzheimer’s is not inevitable—and it may even be optional. In this groundbreaking episode, you’ll learn how to prevent, slow, and in some cases reverse cognitive decline using strategies that also enhance brain optimization, metabolism, and longevity. 

 

Host Dave Asprey is joined by Dr. Dale Bredesen, a world-renowned neurologist and leading Alzheimer’s researcher who has published over 240 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Bredesen has spent decades proving that Alzheimer’s is not a one-pathway disease but a network failure driven by inflammation, toxins, and mitochondrial dysfunction. His protocol has helped thousands of patients regain memory, extend healthspan, and reclaim brain performance. 

 

Together, they unpack how biohacking tools like fasting, ketosis, supplements, sleep optimization, cold therapy, and functional medicine can rewire neuroplasticity, protect mitochondria, and keep the brain in “connection mode” instead of decline. You’ll hear why the pharmaceutical industry resists these solutions, how toxins like Paraquat and mold fuel cognitive decline, and what young people can do right now to bulletproof their brains for life. 

 

This episode is essential listening if you care about hacking human performance, upgrading metabolism, or extending longevity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies you can use today—whether that means optimizing your mitochondria with nootropics, strengthening resilience with smarter not harder recovery, or fueling your brain with Danger Coffee. 

 

You’ll Learn: 

  • Why Alzheimer’s can begin as early as your 20s and what biomarkers to track
  • The seven major drivers of Alzheimer’s and how to reverse them with biohacking strategies
  • How APOE4 genetics, toxins, and inflammation accelerate brain aging—and what to do about it
  • The role of mitochondria, ketosis, and fasting in restoring brain optimization and neuroplasticity
  • Why prevention is exponentially easier than reversal and the top three actions you should start in your 20s
  • How to avoid “learned helplessness” in medicine and reclaim control over your brain span and 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, Thursday, and Friday (audio-only) where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. 

 

Keywords: Alzheimer’s prevention biohacking, APOE4 genetics risk, mitochondrial dysfunction brain, network insufficiency model, cognitive decline reversal protocol, neuroplasticity longevity strategies, mild cognitive impairment treatment, subjective cognitive impairment biomarkers, ketoflex 12/3 diet, mycotoxins and Alzheimer’s, Paraquat Parkinson’s risk, mitochondrial transfusion therapy, fasting neuroprotection, ketosis brain optimization, natokinase soft plaque removal, sleep apnea cognitive decline, functional medicine Alzheimer’s, hippocampal volume preservation, nootropics cognitive resilience, learned helplessness medicine 

 

Thank you to our sponsors!  

“Alzheimer’s is optional. If you start early, you don’t have to get it.”

Dale Bredesen

0:00 — Trailer 

Quick highlights from the episode. 

1:10 — Introduction  

Dave shares his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s experience and why brain health is personal . 

2:43 — Preventable 

Dr. Dale Bredesen joins the show, framing Alzheimer’s as both preventable and reversible . 

7:52 — APOE4, Genetics, and Drug Development 

How APOE4 alters brain pathways and the promise of new drug candidates . 

11:37 — Pharma, Media, and Pushback 

Why industry incentives and media narratives resist functional medicine approaches . 

17:13 — Prevention, Stages, and Biomarkers 

The four stages of Alzheimer’s, key biomarkers, and the importance of early detection . 

23:34 — Causes and Mechanisms 

Inflammation, toxins, metabolism, and gut health as core drivers . 

30:24 — Parkinson’s, Toxins, and Mitochondria 

The rise in Parkinson’s linked to pesticides, burn pits, and mitochondrial dysfunction . 

37:17 — Longevity, Biohacking, and Protocols 

Personalized protocols, network insufficiency, and biohacking strategies . 

44:11 — AI, Data, and Future Treatments 

How AI and clinical data could personalize prevention and treatment . 

54:11 — Case Studies and Success Stories 

Patients reversing symptoms, what works, and compliance factors . 

1:03:00 — Detox, Mold, and Environmental Triggers 

Mycotoxins, oral microbiome, and hidden toxins in daily life . 

1:12:00 — Neuroplasticity and Brain Regeneration 

Stem cells, hippocampal volume, and Dave’s personal rebuilding experiments . 

1:20:00 — Hormones, Supplements, and Personalized Hacks 

Role of hormones, trophic factors, folate metabolism, and customized supplementation . 

1:29:00 — Cortisol, Addison’s, and AI Protocols 

Dave shares his cortisol replacement, personal health history, and how AI could scale Alzheimer’s prevention . 

1:38:00 — Large-Scale Trials and Global Impact 

Dr. Bredesen outlines multi-site trials, global dementia burden, and what’s working in real-world application . 

1:45:00 — Final Takeaways 

Closing reflections on prevention, the future of brain optimization, and staying ahead of decline 

 

Resources:  

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