Mast Cells Explained: Biohacking Inflammation, Allergies, and Brain Fog

Millions of people are living with unexplained symptoms like allergies, brain fog, anxiety, and chronic fatigue without realizing the hidden cause: mast cells gone rogue. In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with leading functional medicine physician Dr. Tania Dempsey to uncover how Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) drives inflammation, disrupts mitochondria, and sabotages metabolism—and what you can do to switch it off. 

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: 

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

Dr. Dempsey is internationally recognized for her work in functional medicine, biohacking, and chronic illness. She co-founded the AIM Center for Personalized Medicine, has published groundbreaking research on MCAS with Dr. Lawrence Afrin, and treats some of the most complex cases of immune dysregulation, autoimmune disease, and environmental illness. Her expertise helps you understand why mast cells are the missing link in allergies, long COVID, Lyme, mold toxicity, and even hormone disruption—and how to reclaim control of your biology. 

Dave and Dr. Dempsey break down how mast cells interact with mitochondria, hormones, and the nervous system, showing how chronic inflammation accelerates aging and blocks human performance. You’ll discover why biohacking tools like fasting, ketosis, supplements, red light, cold therapy, sleep optimization, and smarter not harder lifestyle strategies all influence mast cell stability. They also explore why brain optimization, neuroplasticity, and nootropics are essential for calming inflammatory cascades, and how functional medicine provides practical solutions beyond conventional treatment. 

You’ll Learn: 

• Why mast cells are the hidden switch behind allergies, chronic inflammation, and brain fog 

• How mitochondria and mast cells work together to drive human performance—or disease 

• The connection between toxic mold, Lyme, long COVID, hormone imbalance, and MCAS 

• How supplements, fasting, ketosis, and cold therapy stabilize mast cells and boost longevity 

• Why functional medicine and biohacking are essential for complex chronic illness 

• How mast cells impact metabolism, sleep optimization, and neuroplasticity 

• The surprising link between mast cells, anxiety, and mental health symptoms 

This episode is essential for anyone serious about hacking inflammation, protecting longevity, upgrading metabolism, and achieving high performance with resilience and clarity. 

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. 

Episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (audio-only) where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. 

Keywords: mast cell activation syndrome, MCAS, chronic inflammation, mitochondria dysfunction, histamine intolerance, functional medicine, biohacking, allergies, brain fog, long covid, mold toxicity, Bartonella, Lyme co-infections, oxalates, salicylates, mast cell stabilizers, immune dysregulation, neuroinflammation, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune triggers, personalized medicine, longevity supplements 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Leela Quantum Tech | Head to https://leelaq.com/DAVE for 10% off.

LMNT | Free LMNT Sample Pack with any drink mix purchase by going to https://drinklmnt.com/DAVE.

Resources:  

• Tania’s Website: https://drtaniadempsey.com/ 

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15 

• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com 

• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated 

• Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com 

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com 

• 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com 

Timestamps: 

00:00 — Trailer 

01:10 — Introduction 

03:27 — Why So Sick Today? 

05:57 — MCAS Explained 

08:33 — Mold & Environment 

11:36 — Spotting MCAS 

13:43 — Personal Stories 

15:15 — Research & Biohacking 

16:35 — Managing Triggers 

20:15 — Gut & Stomach Acid 

22:42 — Reaction Timing 

25:30 — Hormones & MCAS 

28:39 — Thyroid & Mitochondria 

32:28 — Chronic Illness Navigation 

40:06 — Insurance Battles 

44:44 — Cholesterol & Ethics 

49:11 — Personalized Care 

53:24 — Circadian & Stress 

58:24 — Testing Approaches 

01:01:35 — Collagen & Joints 

01:04:34 — MMPs & Aging 

01:09:12 — Access & Experimentation 

01:13:14 — MCAS & Mental Health 

01:17:46 — Benzos & Stigma 

01:20:23 — Vaccines & Spike Protein 

01:25:18 — Research & Treatments 

01:26:12 — Nicotine & Focus 

01:29:24 — Closing 

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