Aging is not something Zoltan Istvan plans to accept quietly. He wants to treat death like a technical bug, rewrite the rules of biology, and turn California into the global test bed for radical human upgrades. From cyborg implants to AI driven longevity science, this episode explores what happens when a candidate for governor openly argues that humans should evolve beyond their biological limits and take control of how long and how well they live.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Zoltan Istvan, a leading transhumanist, futurist, longevity advocate, and current candidate for Governor of California. Zoltan has spoken at Parliaments and Senates around the world, appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, consulted for the US Armed Forces, and served as a correspondent for The New York Times. He has addressed the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the UK Parliament, and his work has influenced world leaders while shaping global conversations on AI, liberty, and human enhancement. Trained in philosophy and ethics at Columbia University and the University of Oxford, Zoltan brings rare depth to the intersection of technology, biology, and governance.
Together, they explore whether aging should be classified as a disease, why regulation is slowing breakthroughs in longevity science, and how California could become ground zero for anti-aging innovation. They debate biology versus machine integration, open source technology versus centralized control, and what morphological freedom really means when enhancement technologies move faster than policy. The discussion spans mitochondria, neuroplasticity, brain optimization, stem cells, organ printing, implants, and the ethical risks of surveillance, algorithmic persuasion, and unchecked AI.
This episode is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, hacking human performance, longevity, metabolism, functional medicine, anti-aging strategies, supplements, nootropics, ketosis, fasting, carnivore frameworks, sleep optimization, and living Smarter Not Harder in a world increasingly shaped by AI and technology, ideally with a cup of Danger Coffee in hand.
You’ll Learn:
• Why aging may be a solvable problem rather than an unavoidable fate
• How politics and regulation influence access to longevity and anti-aging therapies
• The real tradeoffs between biological upgrades and machine integration
• Why mitochondria, neuroplasticity, and brain optimization matter in human enhancement
• How AI and surveillance technology threaten cognitive and biological autonomy
• What morphological freedom means for the future of medicine and personal choice
• Why open source approaches to biohacking could protect liberty and innovation
• How Smarter Not Harder strategies support longevity in a rapidly evolving world
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Resources:
• Learn More About Zoltan’s Work At: https://zoltanistvan.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/
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Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
3:51 – What Is Transhumanism
8:15 – Biology vs Technology
12:53 – Government & Regulation
20:43 – Running for Governor
26:13 – Social Media & Kids
30:18 – Life Extension & Upgrades
38:59 – Defining Humanity
46:12 – Consciousness & Uploading
49:27 – Religion & Society
58:02 – AI Existential Risk
1:02:57 – Space & Future Enhancement
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