AB Majlis podcast: ‘Biohacking is about control’ – Dave Asprey on longevity, Ozempic and why Dubai is leading
Asprey, who coined the term “biohacking” more than a decade ago and went on to build companies including Bulletproof Coffee and Upgrade Labs, said the emirate’s regulatory openness, financial availability and performance-driven culture are accelerating the commercialization of longevity technology on a large scale.
Data suggests that the global market for biohacking is now estimated at $36 billion, in disease diagnostics, supplements, data-driven clinics, wearable technology and AI-powered health platforms. What started as a niche wellness practice has evolved into a serious business sector, increasingly merging with real estate, hospitality and business operations – areas where Dubai is moving quickly.
Talking to Arabian business on the AB Majlis podcast during a visit to the UAE, Asprey said biohacking is often misunderstood as an extreme lifestyle rather than a program to improve the efficiency and control of human biology.
“Biohacking is about control,” he said. “It’s about changing the environment around you and inside you so you can decide how you feel, how you act and how long you’ll be healthy.”
Asprey said Dubai stands out globally because improving health is seen as an investment rather than a personal indulgence. He pointed to the rapid expansion of long-term health clinics across the city and the growing interest from developers and hotel groups in health-oriented properties.
He confirmed that he is in talks to expand Upgrade Labs, his AI-powered and performance centers, into the UAE, describing the market as “one of the most receptive in the world” to data-led health interventions.
Unlike traditional health models, Asprey says biohacking relies on continuous measurement rather than conventional principles. He said many clinics focus on services rather than outcomes, and the next phase of the industry will be defined by personalization at scale.
“Anyone can buy a panel with red lights and call it a biohacking clinic,” he said. “The real question is what a particular person needs on a particular day, and in what order, to get measurable results.”
The interview also addressed the growing interest around the world in GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, which Asprey described as poorly understood but potentially revolutionary if used correctly. He said obesity is still one of the causes of chronic diseases and rapid aging, and he said stigma about medical intervention hides the risk of unemployment.
“There are negative effects of being overweight,” he said, adding that weight loss can improve almost every major health symptom. Asprey said GLP-1 drugs can play a role in longevity agreements when paired with adequate protein intake and resistance training to preserve muscle.
Sleep and circadian rhythms, however, are still very neglected pillars of health, especially in big cities. Asprey said artificial light, late nights and sleep disruptions contribute significantly to hormone imbalances, stress and decreased cognitive function.
As Gulf governments and private investors invest heavily in health, human performance and preventive care, Asprey said Dubai has an opportunity to shape how longevity is incorporated into everyday life.
“When cities make it easier to be healthy by design, biohacking stops being extreme,” he said. “It becomes infrastructure.”
Listen to AB Majlis every Monday
To listen to the full episode and get a fuller understanding of doing business in the Gulf region, visit our RSS feed or check out AB Majlis on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.
Episodes are also available at:
Tune in every Monday for weekly episodes that will help you stay ahead of the curve and enrich your understanding of the Gulf region.
Subscribe to Arabian business with exclusive content.
