The Secret to Looking Younger is in Mushrooms (And Chocolate?)

Dave Asprey

Feb 17, 2026

Episode description

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.

-Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR

-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 Wonderfeelbuilt 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 i

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Discover ergothioneine as a key nutrient for Alzheimer's support

Ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in select mushrooms and mother's milk, is being studied for its promising results in Alzheimer's patients and may be a missing nutrient from our modern food supply.

#Alzheimer's

#antioxidants

Boost NAD levels to reverse gray hair and regrow eyelashes

Users report that after several months of boosting NAD levels, their gray hair began turning back to its original color and even lost eyelashes started to regrow.

#NAD

#regeneration

Invest in prevention to avoid costly aging recovery

It is relatively cheap to take steps to not get old, but it is relatively expensive to try and get young again after you're already old.

#aging

#cost

Consume two liters of olive oil for hydroxytyrosol benefits

To get the amount of the powerful antioxidant hydroxytyrosol found in a single supplement dose, you would need to consume about two liters of high-quality olive oil.

#olive-oil

#supplement

Choose allulose as your top sweetener for blood sugar control

After reviewing all sweeteners, allulose is the top choice because it tastes like sugar, can be used in cooking, and actually lowers your blood sugar by raising GLP-1.

#GLP1

#nutrition

Maintain NAD levels to nourish your body's functions

Think of NAD as the water source for a valley; when it runs low, different parts of your body are affected unpredictably, just like different farms might fail.

#NAD

Combine NMN and ergothioneine for natural inflammation reduction

In a lab study on human lung cells, the combination of NMN and ergothioneine reduced inflammation by 37%, nearly as effective as a powerful steroid.

#inflammation

#supplement

Avoid pure NMN or NAD boosters to prevent inflammation

Taking a pure NMN or NAD booster can increase a pro-inflammatory cell type called CD38, which eats NAD, potentially making you feel more inflamed over time.