AB Majlis podcast: ‘Biohacking is about control’ – Dave Asprey on longevity, Ozempic and why Dubai leads

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, capital availability and performance-driven culture are accelerating the commercialisation of longevity technologies at scale.

Data suggests the global biohacking market is now estimated to be worth $36 billion, spanning diagnostics, supplements, data-driven clinics, wearable technology and AI-powered health platforms. What began as a niche wellness practice has evolved into a serious business sector, increasingly intersecting with real estate, hospitality and corporate performance – areas where Dubai has been quick to move.

Speaking to Arabian Business on the AB Majlis podcast during a visit to the UAE, Asprey said biohacking is often misunderstood as an extreme lifestyle choice rather than a system for improving efficiency and control over 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 perform and how long you stay healthy.”

Asprey said Dubai stands out globally because health optimisation is treated as an investment rather than a personal indulgence. He pointed to the rapid proliferation of longevity clinics across the city and growing interest from developers and hotel groups in health-optimised buildings.

He confirmed he is in discussions to expand Upgrade Labs, his AI-powered longevity and performance centres, into the UAE, describing the market as “one of the most receptive in the world” to data-led health interventions.

Unlike traditional wellness models, Asprey argues biohacking relies on continuous measurement rather than generic protocols. He said many clinics focus on equipment rather than outcomes, whereas the next phase of the industry will be defined by personalisation at scale.

“Anyone can buy a red-light panel and call it a biohacking clinic,” he said. “The real question is what a specific person needs on a specific day, and in what order, to get measurable results.”

The conversation also addressed the global surge in interest around GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, which Asprey described as misunderstood but potentially transformative when used correctly. He said obesity remains one of the most significant drivers of chronic disease and accelerated ageing, and argued that stigma around pharmaceutical interventions obscures the risks of inaction.

“There are side effects to being obese,” he said, adding that weight loss can improve nearly every major health marker. Asprey said GLP-1 drugs can play a role in longevity protocols if paired with sufficient protein intake and resistance training to preserve muscle mass.

Sleep and circadian rhythm, however, remain the most overlooked health levers, particularly in major cities. Asprey said artificial light, late nights and disrupted sleep cycles contribute significantly to hormonal imbalance, stress and reduced cognitive performance.

As Gulf governments and private investors channel capital into health, human performance and preventive care, Asprey said Dubai has the opportunity to shape how longevity is embedded into daily life.

“When cities make it easier to be healthy by design, biohacking stops being extreme,” he said. “It becomes infrastructure.”

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