EP 1337
1337. These Plants Turn On 1,100 Healing Genes In 24 Hours
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey explores how you can literally grow a new brain, activate 1,100 healing genes, and rebuild your biology using the perfect intersection of ancient shamanic wisdom and modern neuroscience. Medical anthropologist and bestselling author Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. reveals how the brain regenerates every 22 days, why NRF2-activating plants can repair mitochondria and reverse damage, and how mindset, belief systems, and energy medicine shape immunity, metabolism, and longevity. From parasites and liver failure to full neurological recovery, Alberto shares how he rebuilt his brain using both functional medicine and indigenous technologies. They also dive into psilocybin life extension studies, GLP-1 peptides, fasting, autophagy, mTOR, cold exposure, breathwork, neuroplasticity, and why spirit and science must work together for true human performance.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Most people try to “heal” their brain with supplements, mindset, or meditation—but this episode reveals the deeper protocol to actually grow a new brain, reverse stress damage, activate 1,100 healing genes, and unlock higher human performance at any age. You’ll learn how neuroplasticity, mitochondria repair, plant-based NRF2 activators, and energetic practices work together to rebuild the brain and extend longevity.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D.—medical anthropologist, neuroscientist, energy medicine pioneer, and founder of The Four Winds Society, the gold-standard school for modern shamans. He has spent 25+ years studying Amazonian and Andean healing traditions, led the Biological Self-Regulation Lab at San Francisco State University to explore psychosomatic medicine, and authored more than 25 bestselling books on neuroscience, functional medicine, and energy healing. Few people on earth bridge ancient biohacking and modern brain science at this level.
He also reveals the forms of nicotine that are safest (spoiler: it’s not vapes or cigarettes), how nicotine works at the receptor level, and what the science says about long-term health effects. This episode blends functional medicine, brain optimization, and biohacking into one powerful, myth-busting breakdown.
You’ll learn:
- How to grow a new brain every 22 days using neuroplasticity and mitochondria support
- Why plant medicines and NRF2 activators can turn on 1,100 healing genes in 24 hours
- The surprising link between nootropics, psychedelics, serotonin, and endogenous DMT
- How mindset, belief systems, and placebo/nocebo shape immune function and metabolism
- Why RFK’s chronic disease warning connects to viral evolution and immune collapse
- The real reason carnivore diets work—and when they fail without gut repair
- Peptides, GLP-1 agonists, and the future of functional medicine hacking
- Why most people sabotage themselves and how to stop fighting your own biology
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, human performance, and longevity, and for those who want to understand how functional biology and mitochondrial science are redefining recovery, energy, and aging.
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 brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: NRF2 activation, Neurogenesis and hippocampus repair, Plant-based epigenetic triggers, Psychosomatic health, Serotonin to DMT conversion, Pineal gland methylation, Parasites and brain inflammation, Viral-driven evolution, GLP-1 agonists and longevity, Psilocybin lifespan extension, Autophagy and brain cleanup, Energetic medicine training, Functional peptides, BPC-157, Breathwork and CO2 tolerance, mTOR cycling, Cold exposure and dopamine, Mindset-driven immune function
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“The universe is so generous that it’ll mirror back to you whatever presuppositions you have about the nature of reality.”
Alberto Villoldo
0:00 — Trailer
A rapid-fire preview of the biggest ideas in the episode to hook listeners immediately.
1:25 — Introduction & Ayahuasca Story
Dave shares his first plant medicine experience and how Alberto’s shamanic training transformed his path.
3:15 — Shamanism Beyond Plant Medicine
Alberto explains that shamans were the first biologists, preserving plant wisdom and brain health across generations.
6:53 — Losing Your Mind to Evolve
Why logic alone limits growth and how surrendering control leads to higher consciousness and spiritual intelligence.
10:45 — The 22-Day New Brain Cycle
You literally rebuild your brain every 22 days—and Alberto reveals how to fuel neurogenesis and mitochondrial repair.
12:53 — Plant Communication & Direct Knowing
How shamans “talk to plants,” access information without science, and use intuition as a biological skill.
15:35 — Parasites, Liver Failure & Brain Damage
Alberto shares his near-death health collapse and how he rebuilt his liver, heart, and brain using Western and ancient methods.
20:25 — Remote Healing & CIA Research
The surprising overlap between shamanic energy work, remote viewing, and declassified government experiments.
22:40 — Tryptophan, Turkey Farmers & Brain Chemistry
How modern farming wiped out key amino acids, why serotonin matters, and what ancient cultures understood about mood.
25:19 — Viruses as Evolutionary Drivers
Why viruses are not just enemies but engines of human evolution—and what happens when immunity collapses.
30:30 — Psilocybin & Life Extension
New research shows psilocybin extends lifespan in mice—and what that means for brain aging and longevity.
35:25 — Healing with Mindset + Biology
The “200-200 Principle”: mindset alone is not enough, and supplements alone are not enough—true healing requires both.
38:52 — Spirit, Purpose & Growing Gods
Why we aren’t here to “fix ourselves,” but to become creators, inventors, and expand human potential.
43:49 — Plants, Protein & mTOR
Dave and Alberto debate plant-based vs animal protein, autophagy, mTOR, and how to balance longevity with performance.
49:07 — Training the Four Brains
The body has four brains—reptilian, limbic, neocortex, and higher mind—and each must be trained differently.
51:16 — Cold Exposure: Pain vs Suffering
How to rewire your brain by embracing discomfort, and the difference between pain (real) and suffering (mental).
54:40 — Who Am I? Living the Question
Why identity, purpose, and curiosity matter more than answers—and how questions fuel spiritual evolution.
55:25 — Closing
Dave and Alberto tie together science, spirit, and biohacking—and challenge listeners to merge both paths.
Resources:
- Learn more from Alberto at: www.thefourwinds.comand www.albertovilloldo.net
- Buy the book ‘Grow A New Brain’: https://a.co/d/5lVhrVy
- Business of Biohacking | Register to attend October 20-23 in Austin, TX https://businessofbiohacking.com/
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
- Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
- Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
- Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
- 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
Enjoy the show!
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