Nicotine as a Neuroprotective Tool

What if the line between “medicine” and “forbidden” has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with permission? This episode gives you a clear framework for understanding peptides, research chemicals, and performance enhancement so you can think for yourself instead of outsourcing your biology 

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: 

https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR 

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dylan Gemelli for a candid, unfiltered conversation about the underground world of biohacking, research chemicals, and human performance. Dylan is a long-time biohacker, educator, and researcher who came out of the bodybuilding world and spent more than a decade studying peptides, SARMs, nootropics, and gray-area compounds. He brings first-hand experience, deep research literacy, and a rare ability to explain what these compounds actually do, where the risks are, and why most doctors will never talk about them. 

Together, they unpack what “research chemicals” really means, why peptides technically fall into that category, and how legality often has little to do with biological reality. They explore compounds like MK-677, S4, and other SARMs, how they interact with growth hormone, muscle, strength, and recovery, and why some of these tools can be more powerful than peptides when used with intention and restraint. Dave also shares his own experiences rebuilding his health using underground tools, why he refuses to ask for permission to take care of his body, and how performance enhancement fits into longevity, metabolism, and real-world function. 

You’ll Learn: 

• What research chemicals actually are and why peptides fall into that category 

• How compounds like MK-677 stimulate growth hormone and affect muscle and recovery 

• Why SARMs differ from steroids and where the real risks come from 

• The difference between tobacco and nicotine and why low-dose nicotine can support brain optimization 

• How performance enhancement fits into longevity, metabolism, and functional medicine thinking 

• Why strength and neurological drive matter more than size alone 

• How to think clearly about supplements, nootropics, and biohacking tools without fear or hype 

• Why taking responsibility for your biology is not cheating 

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. 

Thank you to our sponsors!  

• Antarctica Trip | Join me in Antarctica from March 8–17, 2026. Visit https://www.insiderexpeditions.com/future and use code DAVE for $1,000 off. 

• AirDoctor | Go to https://airdoctorpro.com/daveasprey and save up to $300 on Air Purifiers. 

• STEMREGEN | Go to https://stemregen.co/dave30 and use code DAVE30 for 30% off your next order. 

• Our Place | Visit https://fromourplace.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for 10% off sitewide. 

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: biohacking research chemicals, peptide biohacking podcast, underground peptides, SARMs explained, MK-677 growth hormone, performance enhancing drugs science, human performance biohacking, longevity biohacking podcast, neuroplasticity optimization, brain optimization nootropics, mitochondrial optimization biohacking, metabolism and hormones, testosterone optimization science, nicotine brain benefits, modafinil cognitive performance, supplements biohacking debate, functional medicine biohacking, muscle vs strength science, anti-aging performance strategies, Dave Asprey biohacking, Dylan Gemelli biohacking, The Human Upgrade podcast, Smarter Not Harder biohacking 

Resources:   

• Learn More About Dylan’s Work And Content At: https://dylangemelli.com/ 

• Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ 

• Join My Low-Oxalate 30-Day Challenge: https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/ 

• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.  

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15   

• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)   

• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)   

• 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   

Timestamps: 

0:00 - Introduction 

1:28 - SARMs & Research Chemicals 

7:43 - 29 Pounds of Muscle in 6 Weeks 

10:20 - MK-677 & Growth Hormone 

16:41 - Vegan Diet Disaster 

18:30 - From Bodybuilding to Biohacking 

21:31 - Diet Transformation & Metabolism 

29:14 - Reversing Heart Plaque 

33:50 - Exercise, Cardio & Longevity 

44:16 - Testosterone, TRT & Kyzatrex 

50:06 - Healthcare Freedom 

53:23 - Medical Freedom 

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