How NAD affects energy and cognition

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. 

-Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR 

-Wonderfeel is gifting a 7-day Youngr™ supply (mini pouch) with every Youngr™ order. The code is DAVE, and the campaign will be active throughout the month: https://getwonderfeel.com/dave/?utm_source=Dave&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode2

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Baran Dilaver, 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 also hear Dave’s practical take on ketosis, fasting, supplements, and metabolism, why he prefers NAD precursors over IV NAD for most people, how methyl donors affect NAD IV tolerance, and why Wonderfeelbuilt a creatine chocolate bar sweetened with allulose to stay keto-friendly and diabetic-friendly. This is biohacking grounded in mechanism, from mitochondria and neuroplasticity to anti-aging strategy and smarter supplementation. 

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 

Thank you to our sponsors!  

• MASA Chips | Go to https://www.masachips.com/DAVEASPREY and use code DAVEASPREY for 25% off your first order 

• Branch Basics | Get 15% off at https://branchbasics.com/DAVE15 with code DAVE15 

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• OneSkin | Try OneSkin at https://www.oneskin.co/DAVE and use code DAVE for 15% off 

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:   

• Wonderfeel is gifting a 7-day Youngr™ supply (mini pouch) with every Youngr™ order. The code is DAVE, and the campaign will be active throughout the month: https://getwonderfeel.com/dave/?utm_source=Dave&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode2

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

• 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  

• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ 

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com  

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction 

01:13 - What Is Wonderfeel 

05:31 - NAD and NMN Explained 

09:41 - FDA Status of NMN 

13:50 - Supplements vs Pharmaceuticals 

16:48 - How NAD Powers Mitochondria 

25:46 - NAD Benefits and Effects 

30:57 - Hydroxytyrosol 

35:03 - Ergothioneine 

41:55 - Alzheimer’s and Brain Health 

44:10 - Vitamin D and K2 

46:15 - Sustainable Packaging 

49:26 - Creatine Bars 

51:43 - Allulose Deep Dive 

59:28 - Inflammation Research 

01:02:15 - Supplement Regulation 

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