EP 1377
1377. The Secret to Looking Younger is in Mushrooms (And Chocolate?)
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with Baran, CEO and co-founder of Wonderfeel Biosciences, for a focused deep dive into NAD, mitochondrial function, and the overlooked compounds that influence brain performance, metabolism, and longevity. They unpack how NAD declines with age and stress, why NMN differs from NR and niacinamide, and how hydroxytyrosol and ergothioneine work through antioxidant and CD38 pathways to support cellular energy and resilience. The conversation also covers fertility and mitochondrial density, Alzheimer’s risk and brain health, vitamin D dosing, creatine for cognitive energy, allulose as a metabolically friendly sweetener, sustainable supplement packaging, and the real-world tension between supplements and pharmaceuticals, delivering a practical biohacking framework for protecting cognition and extending healthspan.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Your gray hair, thinning lashes, brain fog, and that low energy feeling after 30 might all trace back to one thing: falling NAD and stressed mitochondria. This episode breaks down what actually happens inside your cells as NAD declines, and what you can do about it using specific compounds from mushrooms, olive oil, and even chocolate.
-Grab a generous discount from Wonderfeel by going to: https://getwonderfeel.com/dave/
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Baran, CEO and co-founder of Wonderfeel Biosciences, to unpack the real science behind NAD, mitochondrial energy, and long-term longevity. Baran is an entrepreneur and inventor who previously led multiple start-ups as CEO and COO, collaborated with leading scientists and medical experts, and developed award-winning products. A UC Berkeley economics graduate and former scholarship athlete, he now focuses on translating cutting-edge bioscience into practical tools that enhance people’s lives.
They break down how NAD powers mitochondria, why your body strategically allocates cellular energy away from peak cognitive performance as you age, and how stress accelerates that decline. You’ll hear the differences between niacinamide, NR, and NMN, the FDA confusion around NMN, and why raising NAD is about cellular repair, resilience, and metabolic function, not just “more energy.”
The conversation goes deep on hydroxytyrosol, the powerful olive oil polyphenol that acts as a CD38 inhibitor, and ergothioneine, a mushroom-derived antioxidant with its own receptor in the human body that can accumulate in damaged tissues. Baran shares the origin story that pushed him to research ergothioneine, along with anecdotal observations from long-term users reporting improvements in sleep, focus, energy, thicker hair, reduced gray hair, and even eyelash regrowth.
You’ll Learn:
- What NAD does in the body and why oral NAD itself is not effective
- How niacinamide, NR, and NMN compare as NAD precursors
- Why mitochondria control energy allocation, cognition, and resilience
- How hydroxytyrosol may support NAD longevity through CD38 inhibition
- What ergothioneine is, why it comes from mushrooms, and why the body has a receptor for it
- What long-term users commonly report: better sleep, clearer thinking, stronger energy, and cosmetic shifts
- Why Dave prefers supplements over NAD IVs in most cases
- How allulose differs from other sweeteners and why it matters for metabolism
- Why creatine supports brain energy and how heat changes absorption strategy
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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: NAD supplementation, NMN benefits, NR vs NMN, nicotinamide mononucleotide, mitochondrial function, CD38 inhibition, hydroxytyrosol olive oil, ergothioneine mushrooms, mushroom antioxidant benefits, Alzheimer’s prevention strategies, brain fog after 30, mitochondrial energy production, anti aging supplements, longevity compounds, fertility mitochondrial health, NAD IV vs oral NMN, creatine for brain health, allulose sweetener benefits, keto friendly chocolate, GLP 1 natural support, biohacking longevity, neuroplasticity support, metabolism optimization, fasting and NAD levels, ketosis and mitochondria, supplement regulation FDA, functional medicine longevity, Dave Asprey biohacking, Wonderfeel NMN
Resources:
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“NAD is so essential to the biochemistry. Without it, you’ll be dead in 10 seconds.”
Baran Dilaver
00:00 – Introduction
Dave sets the stage for a deep dive into NAD, longevity compounds, and why mitochondrial energy is central to aging, performance, and resilience.
01:13 – What Is Wonderfeel
Baran shares his background and explains how Wonderfeel combines bioscience research with real-world nutraceutical innovation.
05:31 – NAD and NMN Explained
A breakdown of what NAD does in the body, how it declines with age, and the differences between niacinamide, NR, and NMN.
09:41 – FDA Status of NMN
The history of the FDA’s shifting position on NMN and what it means for supplements versus pharmaceutical development.
13:50 – Supplements vs Pharmaceuticals
A candid discussion on why some companies pursue drug pathways, how insurance influences medicine, and where nutraceuticals fit.
16:48 – How NAD Powers Mitochondria
Dave explains how mitochondria allocate energy in the body and why NAD fuels cellular repair, cognition, and survival.
25:46 – NAD Benefits and Effects
Commonly reported effects of NAD support, including energy, sleep, cognitive clarity, and unexpected cosmetic changes.
30:57 – Hydroxytyrosol
An exploration of the olive oil polyphenol hydroxytyrosol, its antioxidant role, and how it may support CD38 regulation.
35:03 – Ergothioneine
The science and origin story behind ergothioneine, the mushroom-derived antioxidant with a dedicated human receptor.
41:55 – Alzheimer’s and Brain Health
A broader conversation about mitochondrial health, toxins, and strategies that may influence long-term cognitive resilience.
44:10 – Vitamin D and K2
Why vitamin D matters, how dosing varies by individual, and the relationship between D3 and K2.
46:15 – Sustainable Packaging
Wonderfeel’s biodegradable refill system and efforts to reduce plastic in supplement manufacturing.
49:26 – Creatine Bars
The rationale behind creatine for brain and muscle energy, plus the development of a keto-friendly chocolate creatine bar.
51:43 – Allulose Deep Dive
A detailed breakdown of allulose, how it differs from other sweeteners, and why it supports metabolic flexibility.
59:28 – Inflammation Research
Preliminary findings on combining NMN, hydroxytyrosol, and ergothioneine to influence inflammatory markers in cell models.
01:02:15 – Supplement Regulation
An honest look at FDA and FTC oversight, compliance challenges, and why supplement claims often appear conservative.
Enjoy the show!
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