If your brain feels foggy, your mood swings like a pendulum, or your cravings seem to control you—this episode will flip what you think you know about your body and your mind. Because what if your thoughts… aren’t really yours?
In this mind-altering episode of The Human Upgrade, Dr. Steven Gundry reveals a startling new theory: your gut microbiome might be controlling your thoughts. From addiction and depression to obesity and inflammation, the microbes living in your gut—bacteria, fungi, viruses, even parasites—may be pulling the strings on your brain chemistry, mood, and behavior.
Dave Asprey and Dr. Gundry explore the Gut-Brain Connection through the lens of biohacking gut health, exposing how the gut microbiome acts more like a microbial command center than a digestive system. They dive into the science of the addiction-driven microbiome, gut bacteria and behavior, and how glyphosate and gut damage have silently dismantled our internal balance.
You’ll learn why probiotics vs. postbiotics is the wrong question, how fermented foods can help rewild your terrain, and what truly causes leaky gut. Plus, they challenge assumptions around the carnivore diet and explore the future of personalized microbiome treatment using precision inputs and AI.
Most shocking of all? Microbes may not just influence addiction—they may cause it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• How your gut microbiome can hijack your brain and influence your thoughts and behavior
• Why certain microbes may actually cause addiction, obesity, and depression
• How antibiotics, glyphosate, and processed foods are turning your gut into a desert
• How to rebuild your gut ecosystem using postbiotics, fermented foods, and precision inputs
• Why food cravings might be microbial mind control—and what to do about it
• What the latest science reveals about the gut-brain axis, neurotransmitters, and neuroinflammation
Resources:
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
• Dr. Gundry’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drstevengundry/?hl=en
• Dr. Gundry’s Website: https://drgundry.com/
• Dr. Gundry’s New Book The Gut-Brain Paradox: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gut-brain-paradox-steven-r-gundry-md/1146019686?ean=9780062911803
• 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey
• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com
Timestamps:
• 00:00 — Trailer
• 02:01 — Intro
• 03:55 — The Gut-Brain Connection
• 04:45 — Microbiome Communication and Control
• 08:19 — The Role of Fungi and Plants
• 11:29 — Microbiome Diversity and Health
• 19:05 — Addictive Microbiome and Behavior
• 28:17 — Antibiotics and Gut Health
• 30:49 — Listener Concerns and Gut Health
• 31:02 — Whale Watching and Climate Change
• 32:58 — Understanding SIBO and Bacterial Migration
• 34:02 — The Role of Soluble Fiber and Fermented Foods
• 36:12 — Complexity of Gut Microbiome
• 36:49 — Restoring Ecosystems and Gut Health
• 38:23 — Precision Microbiome Manipulation
• 41:31 — Calcium Formation and Gut Bacteria
• 43:56 — Oxalates vs. Lectins Debate
• 46:04 — Whole Foods and Glyphosate Concerns
• 51:47 — Dopamine Levels and Gut Health
• 54:59 — Conclusion and Book Promotion
Connect with Dave Asprey!
Website: https://daveasprey.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/
X: https://x.com/daveasprey
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybpr
The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ and https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/