Your Genes AREN’T Your Fate—The NEW Science of DNA Biohacking for SuperHuman Health | Sharon Hausman-Cohen

Dave Asprey

Mar 6, 2025

Episode description

For decades, we’ve been told that our DNA is a fixed blueprint—an unchangeable code that dictates our health and lifespan. But what if that’s only half the story?

Sharon Hausman-Cohen, a physician, researcher, and genomics expert at IntellxxDNA, joins Dave to reveal the cutting-edge science of genetic optimization—how understanding your DNA can unlock longer life, better brain function, and even protection from chronic disease.

Forget the old-school genetic reports that left you with useless percentages. The new frontier of precision genomics goes beyond risk factors to actionable insights, showing you exactly how to turn on your body’s most powerful longevity genes and turn off the pathways driving inflammation, cognitive decline, and disease.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why genetics alone don’t determine your future—and how to use epigenetics to control your health

• The truth about MTHFR, APOE4, and other “bad” genes—are they actually harming you?

• How genetic reports can predict and eliminate brain fog, fatigue, and pain

• The hidden genetic reasons behind ADHD, depression, and anxiety—and how to fix them

• Why some people age faster—and the one longevity gene that determines your biological age

• Cutting-edge breakthroughs in DNA-based biohacking—is it possible to edit your genes for peak performance?

This is the future of personalized medicine. By understanding your own genetic blueprint, you can stop guessing and start making the precise changes that will optimize your energy, brainpower, and lifespan!

** Visit IntellxxDNA at https://intellxxdna.com/asprey/ When you go to the website to find a clinician please select “human upgrade/longevity” as the type of consult to get specialized biohacking clinicians! **

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Choose folinic acid for optimal brain health if you have FOLR1 variant

About 11% of people have a gene variant (FOLR1) that impairs methylfolate transport to the brain, meaning they may need folinic acid instead.

#cognition

#genetics

Modify Alzheimer's risk by understanding gene interactions

Your actual Alzheimer's risk from the APOE4 gene is heavily modified by other genes; for example, another specific gene variant can cut your risk in half.

#Alzheimer's

#APOE4

Monitor soluble ST2 levels for better heart disease risk assessment

A blood marker called soluble ST2 can be more indicative of heart disease risk than cholesterol, with high levels associated with a 4.9 times greater risk.

#blood-test

#heart

Counteract high TNF-alpha inflammation with targeted foods

If you have a gene variant causing high TNF-alpha inflammation, you can specifically counteract it with foods and supplements like Lion's Mane mushroom, chili peppers, and sulforaphane.

#inflammation

#supplement

Recognize brain hypothyroidism despite normal thyroid levels

You can have normal thyroid levels in your body but be hypothyroid in your brain because a different gene controls the T4 to T3 hormone conversion there.

#neurology

#thyroid

Address BH4 deficiency to combat depression and anxiety

For about 4% of the population, depression and anxiety may be caused by a deficiency in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which can be addressed with a specific supplement called Teradine.

#depression

#supplement

Consider genetic factors before using Rapamycin for longevity

The popular longevity drug Rapamycin may not work if you have a genetic deficiency for the Clotho longevity protein.

#Clotho

#rapamycin

Prioritize clinically significant gene variants over whole genome sequencing

Whole genome sequencing is often less useful for chronic diseases because it focuses on rare pathogenic genes, whereas analyzing a curated set of clinically significant gene variants is more actionable.

#chronic-disease

#genetics

Prioritize aerobic exercise for longevity with low-Clotho genotype

People with a low-Clotho genotype benefit more from aerobic exercise for longevity, while anaerobic exercise like weightlifting is not as beneficial for them.