How Biohackers Use Nicotine WITHOUT Getting Addicted : 1350

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Dave Asprey

Fat, Health & Fitness, Meditation, Biohacking, Lifestyle, Diet, Science, Self-improvement, Fasting, Nutrition, Hacking, Fitness, Brain, Wellness, Education

4.6 • 7.3K Ratings

🗓️ 23 October 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This is Part 2 of the Nicotine Masterclass. If you haven’t heard Part 1, start there for a full breakdown of nicotine’s mechanisms, myths, and the science behind its misunderstood role in longevity, nootropics, and human performance.

Nicotine is one of the most misunderstood nootropics in the world—and one of the most powerful tools for brain optimization and longevity when used correctly. In this episode, Host Dave Asprey breaks down how to harness nicotine for cognitive enhancement, metabolism, and human performance without falling into addiction. You’ll learn the real science behind dosage, timing, and cycling, plus how nicotine interacts with mitochondria, acetylcholine, and neuroplasticity to boost focus, motivation, and mental energy.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR

Host Dave Asprey reveals practical biohacking templates for using nicotine safely and effectively—covering metabolism genetics, stack combinations, and how nicotine fits into a smarter not harder lifestyle. You’ll discover how low-dose nicotine can support attention, memory, and even protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Dave also shares his own five-year nicotine protocol, how he avoided dependence, and why nicotine can be a game-changer for brain and mitochondrial performance when used intelligently.

You’ll Learn:

• How to use nicotine as a safe, powerful nootropic for brain optimization and focus

• The genetics of nicotine metabolism and why dose timing matters

• How to stack nicotine with caffeine, theanine, and rhodiola for maximum energy and motivation

• Why nicotine enhances mitochondria and PGC-1α for better metabolism and longevity

• The truth about nicotine tolerance, cycling, and how to avoid addiction

• How nicotine affects sleep, neuroplasticity, and dopamine signaling

• What science says about nicotine’s protective effects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

• How to integrate nicotine into a complete biohacking protocol with fasting, ketosis, and supplements

This episode is essential for anyone exploring biohacking, functional medicine, fasting, ketosis, sleep optimization, and cognitive resilience. You’ll learn how nicotine stacks with caffeine, theanine, rhodiola, and supplements for sharper thinking and sustained focus—plus the key mistakes to avoid so you don’t wreck your sleep or metabolism. Whether you’re a seasoned biohacker or just beginning your journey, this episode gives you the science, tools, and protocols to elevate your mind and body safely.

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 brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

Keywords: nicotine biohacking, nicotine masterclass, Dave Asprey nicotine, nicotine nootropics, nicotine cognitive enhancement, nicotine mitochondria, nicotine and dopamine, nicotine addiction prevention, nicotine cycling, nicotine dosage, nicotine metabolism, nicotine tolerance, nicotine and longevity, nicotine patch benefits, nicotine for focus, nicotine and acetylcholine, nicotine and caffeine stack, nicotine sleep effects, nicotine and Parkinson’s, nicotine brain optimization

** Listen to part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjehLsHaRnE&t=1063s**

Thank you to our sponsors!

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Resources:

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15

• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com

• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated

• Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

• 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com

Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer

01:25 – Review of Pt 1

02:48 – Genetics & Metabolism

06:05 – Stacking with Other Compounds

09:23 – Tolerance & Dependence

13:42 – Fertility & Contraindications

17:05 – Real World Use Templates

21:40 – Travel & Jet Lag Protocol

24:29 – Biohacking Lifestyle Integration

25:31 – Longevity & Neuroprotection

28:24 – Medical Applications & Research

31:51 – Final Thoughts & Summary

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Smokers have a noticeably lower Parkinson's risk, and nicotine is the reason.
0:05.0	Nicotine is a longevity drug. And there are studies of cognition and aging. The MCI trial showed
0:11.8	transdermal nicotine, that's a patch, improve memory in older adults. Nicotine does improve memory
0:17.6	even in healthy younger people tolerance can build really fast often
0:21.4	within days of using it every day but if you're keeping it to that under
0:25.7	you're unlikely to have that happen on my nicotine journey I use per day for five
0:32.7	years straight without getting any dependence and it was magic four hours when I did it
0:37.4	I want to get into some real world use templates like how would you without getting any dependents. And it was magic four hours when I did it.
0:37.5	I want to get into some real-world use templates.
0:41.1	Like, how would you use this stuff?
0:43.6	You're listening to The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey.
0:50.8	Is the air you're breathing making you sick?
0:53.4	Just because you don't see mold doesn't mean it isn't there.
0:56.2	My friend Jason Earl has been on a mission for over two decades to help people understand
1:00.9	the hidden role of indoor air in their health. He's one of the world's leading experts on mold
1:06.6	and indoor air quality. And he created the Gotmold test kit to make professional-grade air
1:12.1	testing simple and accessible. It uses cutting-edge air sampling tech that top inspectors
1:18.2	trust, and it's engineered for you at a fraction of the cost. It takes just minutes to get
1:23.5	samples using the patented biovac air sampling pump. Then you send them prepaid to one of the
1:28.9	most prestigious microbiology labs in the world. No guesswork, no paperwork, and no hidden fees.
1:35.8	You get fast results, intuitive reports, and great support. And since you keep the pump,
1:40.9	you can retest any time for less. It even comes with a lifetime warranty.
	...

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