Millions of people are living with unexplained symptoms like allergies, brain fog, anxiety, and chronic fatigue without realizing the hidden cause: mast cells gone rogue. In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with leading functional medicine physician Dr. Tania Dempsey to uncover how Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) drives inflammation, disrupts mitochondria, and sabotages metabolism—and what you can do to switch it off.
Dr. Dempsey is internationally recognized for her work in functional medicine, biohacking, and chronic illness. She co-founded the AIM Center for Personalized Medicine, has published groundbreaking research on MCAS with Dr. Lawrence Afrin, and treats some of the most complex cases of immune dysregulation, autoimmune disease, and environmental illness. Her expertise helps you understand why mast cells are the missing link in allergies, long COVID, Lyme, mold toxicity, and even hormone disruption—and how to reclaim control of your biology.
Dave and Dr. Dempsey break down how mast cells interact with mitochondria, hormones, and the nervous system, showing how chronic inflammation accelerates aging and blocks human performance. You’ll discover why biohacking tools like fasting, ketosis, supplements, red light, cold therapy, sleep optimization, and smarter not harder lifestyle strategies all influence mast cell stability. They also explore why brain optimization, neuroplasticity, and nootropics are essential for calming inflammatory cascades, and how functional medicine provides practical solutions beyond conventional treatment.
You’ll Learn:
• Why mast cells are the hidden switch behind allergies, chronic inflammation, and brain fog
• How mitochondria and mast cells work together to drive human performance—or disease
• The connection between toxic mold, Lyme, long COVID, hormone imbalance, and MCAS
• How mast cells impact metabolism, sleep optimization, and neuroplasticity
• The surprising link between mast cells, anxiety, and mental health symptoms
This episode is essential for anyone serious about hacking inflammation, protecting longevity, upgrading metabolism, and achieving high performance with resilience and clarity.
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.
Resources:
• Tania’s Website: https://drtaniadempsey.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 — Trailer
01:10 — Introduction
03:27 — Why So Sick Today?
05:57 — MCAS Explained
08:33 — Mold & Environment
11:36 — Spotting MCAS
13:43 — Personal Stories
15:15 — Research & Biohacking
16:35 — Managing Triggers
20:15 — Gut & Stomach Acid
22:42 — Reaction Timing
25:30 — Hormones & MCAS
28:39 — Thyroid & Mitochondria
32:28 — Chronic Illness Navigation
40:06 — Insurance Battles
44:44 — Cholesterol & Ethics
49:11 — Personalized Care
53:24 — Circadian & Stress
58:24 — Testing Approaches
01:01:35 — Collagen & Joints
01:04:34 — MMPs & Aging
01:09:12 — Access & Experimentation
01:13:14 — MCAS & Mental Health
01:17:46 — Benzos & Stigma
01:20:23 — Vaccines & Spike Protein
01:25:18 — Research & Treatments
01:26:12 — Nicotine & Focus
01:29:24 — Closing
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