Pandemic Fever Is BACK, Testosterone and Brain Tumors, Rabies, and Dog Flu

Dave Asprey

May 8, 2026

Episode description

*Testosterone Directly Suppresses Brain Tumor Growth in Males by 38%

Cleveland Clinic research funded by NIH shows testosterone binds androgen receptors in glioblastoma stem cells — the root of tumor recurrence — and cuts growth by 38% when levels are restored. Dave breaks down why the mainstream framing of testosterone and cancer risk has it backwards, what androgen deprivation therapy may be doing to every other cancer pathway simultaneously, and why your hormone panel is now a cancer conversation, not just a performance one.

Sources:

-https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-study-suggests-testosterone-suppresses-brain-tumor-growth-males

-https://bioengineer.org/nih-funded-research-indicates-testosterone-may-inhibit-brain-tumor-growth-in-males/

*CDC Halts Rabies Testing Nationwide

A CDC staffing crisis has pushed rabies, mpox, and Epstein-Barr testing to overwhelmed state labs, creating one-to-two week diagnostic delays in a disease where post-exposure prophylaxis must begin within ten days of a bite — and where fatality is virtually 100% once symptoms appear. Dave explains exactly what to do if you or a pet is exposed, why outdoor biohackers are the most exposed population, and what pre-travel prevention looks like for anyone heading to endemic regions.

Sources:

-https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-pauses-testing-rabies-monkeypox-epstein-barr-viruses-rcna266377

-https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/rabies/state-public-health-labs-step-cdc-pauses-testing-various-pathogens-including-rabies-mpox

*Mifepristone Mail Ban

The Supreme Court issued a one-week stay blocking a 5th Circuit ruling that would have ended telehealth and mail access to mifepristone, used in over 63% of U.S. abortions. Dave sets aside the moral debate to focus on what this legal precedent means for FDA-approved compounded peptides, bioidentical hormones, and telehealth access to any treatment without full pharmaceutical backing — and why this case is one every biohacker should be tracking closely.

Sources:

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Understand hantavirus strains' differing impacts on lungs and kidneys

American hantavirus strains attack the lungs with a 40% fatality rate, whereas European and Asian strains attack the kidneys with a much lower fatality rate.

#kidney

#lungs

Prioritize hormonal and immune resilience as your true asset

Your hormonal and immune resilience, built before a crisis, is the only asset you truly have when institutional support systems fail.

#immune-system

#resilience

Know your raw milk source to mitigate health risks

The risk of drinking raw milk has genuinely shifted due to the circulation of influenza D in US dairy herds, so you must know your source's herd health.

#risk

Challenge belief: low testosterone may accelerate glioblastoma growth

New NIH research shows low testosterone levels can accelerate the growth of glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer, challenging the old belief that more T equals more cancer risk.

#cancer

#testosterone

Seek immediate post-exposure treatment for wildlife bites due to rabies testing pause

Due to a CDC staffing crisis, rabies testing is paused nationwide, so if bitten by wildlife, you must seek post-exposure treatment immediately without waiting for a diagnosis.

#risk

#testing

Utilize clean nicotine as a nootropic for enhanced focus

Pure nicotine in low doses is a nootropic powerhouse that enhances mitochondrial function and sharpens focus, unlike the 7,000 chemicals in cigarettes.

#nicotine

#nootropics

Protect telehealth access against legal precedents

A court overriding FDA-approved medication protocols could set a legal precedent that restricts future telehealth access to treatments like compounded peptides and bioidentical hormones.