You feel stiff, tired, or older than you should—and this episode shows you how to reverse it. Learn how to fix joint pain, restore youthful movement, and upgrade your longevity by hacking the hidden causes of early aging like mitochondrial dysfunction, leaky gut, and chronic inflammation.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Gregory Kelly, SVP of Product Development at Qualia Life and a leading authority on functional medicine, nootropics, and anti-aging science. Dr. Kelly is a naturopathic physician, author of Shape Shift, former editor of Alternative Medicine Review, and a university instructor who’s published over 30 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to the Textbook of Natural Medicine. His deep expertise spans cellular regeneration, sleep optimization, metabolism, and the chronobiology of performance.
They reveal why most joint pain has nothing to do with age, why your cartilage and synovial fluid become insulin resistant, and how biohacking your gut can dramatically improve joint function and brain optimization. You’ll discover how neuroplasticity, metabolism, sleep, and mobility are all tied to your ability to stay pain-free and high performing. Dr. Kelly also breaks down the science behind unconventional joint-support compounds like tamarind seed extract, eggshell membrane, L-carnitine, and senolytics.
You’ll Learn:
• Why joint pain is often a metabolic and mitochondrial issue, not aging
• How zombie cells and gut toxins silently destroy your cartilage
• What to take instead of glucosamine to actually rebuild your joints
• Why most joint supplements fail and what new research says to use instead
• How to enhance mobility using functional medicine and cutting-edge ingredients
• How movement, inflammation, and brain health are deeply connected
• Tools for real recovery without burnout using the smarter not harder method
This channel explores how ketosis, fasting, cold therapy, and smarter not harder strategies affect movement, inflammation, and longevity. Dave also shares how Danger Coffee and his own supplement routines helped him reverse years of joint damage—and how you can do the same without drugs or surgery.
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, human performance, and outsmarting the aging process at any age.
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 and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.
Resources:
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
• Qualia’s Website: https://www.qualialife.com/
• Qualia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qualialife/?hl=en
• 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
• 01:07 Joint Pain vs. Aging
• 04:46 Gut-Joint Connection
• 06:33 Diet’s Impact on Joints
• 10:14 Smarter Joint Supplements
• 19:15 Senescent Cells and Pain
• 22:47 Collagen Breakdown
• 24:21 Tamarind and Turmeric Benefits
• 26:34 Inflammation Fixes
• 29:39 Mobility and Movement
• 38:26 Sleep and Joint Recovery
• 42:52 Can You Reverse Joint Damage?
• 44:48 Final Takeaways
Connect with Dave Asprey!
Website: https://daveasprey.com
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The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ and https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/