Why Most Supplements Are a WASTE of Money (And What Actually Works) : 1291

Update: 2025-06-13

Digest

This podcast explores the world of adaptogens, highlighting their ability to help the body adapt to stress, unlike sedatives which suppress the stress response. The speaker emphasizes the importance of sourcing high-quality supplements from reputable vendors due to the prevalence of counterfeit products. Saffron is presented as a unique morning supplement with mood-boosting and sleep-enhancing properties, potentially more effective than some antidepressants for depression. The discussion expands to the complexities of formulating effective supplements, balancing ingredient cost and consumer appeal. The speaker details their own supplement, MTE, and its ingredient selection process, mentioning ergothioneine as a potential future addition. The podcast also touches upon the impact of adaptogens on exercise performance and the challenges of parenting and burnout, offering strategies like prioritizing sleep and mindful practices to manage stress and maintain energy.

Outlines

00:00:00

Adaptogens, Supplement Quality, and Saffron

This section introduces adaptogens and their stress-adaptive benefits, contrasting them with sedatives. It also addresses concerns about supplement quality and authenticity, emphasizing the importance of reputable vendors. Finally, it highlights saffron's mood-boosting and sleep-improving properties and its potential use in treating depression.

00:02:25

Supplement Formulation and MTE

This section discusses the challenges of formulating effective supplements, considering ingredient cost and consumer appeal. The speaker's supplement, MTE, is introduced, along with its dynamic formulation and ingredient selection process, including the potential addition of ergothioneine.

00:20:06

Adaptogens, Exercise, and Parenting Burnout

This section explores the impact of adaptogens on workout performance and the relationship between stress response and muscle growth. It then shifts to the challenges of parenting and burnout, offering strategies for managing stress and maintaining energy through sleep and mindful practices.

Keywords

Adaptogens

Substances that help the body adapt to stress, increasing or decreasing physiological responses as needed.

Saffron

A spice with mood-boosting and sleep-enhancing properties; potentially effective for depression.

MTE (Morning Tonic Elixir)

A supplement formulated with adaptogens and other ingredients to enhance mood, focus, and well-being.

Supplement Quality

The purity and authenticity of supplements are crucial; avoid counterfeits by purchasing from reputable brands.

Parenting Burnout

Emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion experienced by parents; strategies include prioritizing sleep and stress management.

Ergothioneine

A potent antioxidant with potential health benefits.

Theanine

A calming amino acid found in green tea.

Q&A

What are the key benefits of adaptogens, and how do they differ from sedatives?
Adaptogens help the body adapt to stress, increasing or decreasing physiological responses as needed. Unlike sedatives, they don't suppress the stress response entirely but modulate it for optimal function.
How can consumers identify reputable supplement brands and avoid counterfeit products?
Purchase directly from the brand's website or authorized retailers. Look for third-party testing certifications and transparent ingredient lists. Avoid suspiciously cheap products.
What are some effective strategies for managing parenting burnout and maintaining energy?
Prioritize sleep, regulate your nervous system through techniques like meditation, and communicate openly with your children about your needs. Consider using adaptogens or other supplements to support energy levels and mood.
What is the role of saffron in MTE, and what are its key benefits?
Saffron in MTE is a key mood enhancer and sleep improver. Studies show it's effective in reducing depression and improving sleep quality.
How does the speaker approach ingredient selection for their supplement, considering both efficacy and cost?
The speaker prioritizes ingredients that deliver noticeable benefits at a reasonable cost, balancing efficacy with consumer affordability and market demand.

Show Notes

Most supplements don’t work, and this episode reveals why. You’ll learn how to stop wasting money on “expensive pee,” how to spot marketing lies on labels, and which ingredients actually move the needle for energy, focus, and longevity.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

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

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Jeff Boyd, founder of MTE and a leader in the new wave of performance supplements. With a background in data-driven wellness and a decade of experience optimizing human performance without caffeine or sugar, Jeff breaks down the science of nootropics, adaptogens, and smart nutrient stacking. His work focuses on self-quantification, nervous system regulation, and sustainable energy for founders, athletes, and high performers.

Together, they explore why 85% of supplements are designed to fail, how to activate mitochondria for real results, and what it means to biohack your biology smarter, not harder. This isn’t just about supplements. It’s about reclaiming your energy, upgrading your brain, and aligning your stack with how your body actually works. You’ll also hear how fasting, sleep optimization, and even subtle neurohacking protocols support long-term resilience and better decision-making.

You’ll Learn:

• The real reason most supplements don’t absorb and how to fix it

• How to build a caffeine-free stack that fuels energy, mood, and clarity

• The latest in adaptogens, nootropics, and functional medicine

• How to align your supplement timing with circadian biology and ketosis

• Why “clean labels” often mean nothing

• How emotional regulation and neurotransmitters shape performance

• Tools for self-quantification and supplement personalization

This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, longevity, smarter supplementation, mitochondrial health, sleep optimization, emotional resilience, and conscious human performance.

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 and Thursday, where Dave asks questions no one else dares and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.

Resources:

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

• MTE website – www.getmte.com

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com

• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com

• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey

• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com

• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Trailer