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.
-Grab a generous discount from Wonderfeel by going to: https://getwonderfeel.com/dave/
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Baran, 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 Wonderfeel built 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
Resources:
• Wonderfeel Website:https://getwonderfeel.com/dave/
• 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.
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
Thank you to our sponsors!
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