In the late 1990s, a strange carbon molecule quietly delivered the single longest lifespan extension ever recorded in mammals. The rats lived about 90% longer, and almost no one was paying attention. This episode breaks down what that molecule is, why it works, and how it may upgrade mitochondria, sleep, and human performance when used correctly. 

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: 

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

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Chris Burres, founder and chief scientist of MyVitalC and the original long-term manufacturer of carbon 60. Chris has produced this Nobel Prize–winning molecule since the early 1990s, supplying research institutions around the world years before it ever entered the biohacking space. He explains how carbon 60 behaves differently from traditional antioxidants, why stability and concentration used to be major problems, and how modern manufacturing finally made real-world use possible. Chris is also a published author, longevity summit host, patent holder, and longtime science communicator who brings rare clarity and humor to complex biology. 

Dave and Chris explore how carbon 60 interacts with mitochondria, oxidative stress, metabolism, and electrical signaling in the body, and where it fits alongside ketosis, nootropics, supplements, and functional medicine strategies. They also unpack why improving mitochondrial function often shows up first as better energy and sleep optimization, and how that foundation supports longevity, brain optimization, and Smarter Not Harder performance. Along the way, Dave shares his own early experience with C60, how he uses it today, and why it now shows up even in his Danger Coffee stack. 

You’ll Learn: 

• Why carbon 60 produced the longest longevity result ever recorded in mammal studies 

• How mitochondrial efficiency shapes energy, sleep, and human performance 

• What makes C60 a selective antioxidant instead of a blunt one 

• Why purity, concentration, and stability determine whether a supplement works 

• How carbon 60 fits into biohacking stacks built around ketosis and metabolism 

• What users report first, from focus and resilience to deeper sleep 

• Why mitochondrial health underpins long-term anti-aging strategies 

• How to think about supplements through a Smarter Not Harder lens 

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 is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience,