This drug has been misunderstood for decades, and that confusion is costing people focus, learning speed, and cognitive performance. In this episode, you’ll learn why nicotine itself is not the problem, why delivery method and dose change EVERYTHING, and how oral nicotine can be used strategically for biohacking brain optimization, neuroplasticity, and human performance in a healthy and safe way.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

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

Host Dave Asprey sits down with David Renteln, Co Founder and CEO of LUCY Nicotine, a company pioneering science led alternatives for adult nicotine users who want better options. Before launching LUCY, David was also a co founder of Soylent, where he helped pioneer new approaches to functional nutrition and metabolism.

Together, Dave and David break down how nicotine works in the brain through acetylcholine and dopamine, why speed of absorption determines addiction risk, and how nicotine affects learning, memory, motivation, and mood. The conversation also covers sleep optimization, mitochondrial signaling, tolerance, cycling strategies, and why modern regulation often slows innovation in functional medicine, anti aging science, and human performance.

You’ll Learn:

• Why nicotine itself is not the same as smoking or vaping

• How delivery speed changes addiction risk and brain response

• How nicotine supports learning, focus, and neuroplasticity

• Why acetylcholine matters for memory and brain optimization

• How to think about dosing, cycling, and tolerance safely

• How nicotine stacks with caffeine, nootropics, and Danger Coffee

• The relationship between nicotine, sleep architecture, and REM

• Why harm reduction matters for longevity and mitochondrial health

• How nicotine fits into a Smarter Not Harder biohacking strategy

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, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

Thank you to our sponsors!

-Lucy! Get a 20% discount by using code ‘Dave’ at https://lucy.co/#

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.

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