Can Happiness Really Be Engineered? Mo Gawdat Says Yes—And Here’s How.
I know what you’re thinking… ANOTHER episode on happiness? Haven’t we heard it all before? This one’s different. The code is cracked, and you’re about to learn exactly how it works.
Joining us today is Mo Gawdat, bestselling author of Unstressable and former Chief Business Officer of Google X. Mo sits down with Dave to deliver a practical, science-backed approach to hacking your mind and body for lasting joy.
Mo dives into the raw science behind happiness and stress—revealing how your brain runs on algorithms that you can actually reprogram. Discover why dopamine might be sabotaging your joy, how to decode the four types of stress, and biohacks that can flip the script on your mental and physical resilience.
He also shares the deeply personal story of how he turned unimaginable tragedy into a global mission for happiness and purpose. Mo’s insights will challenge everything you thought you knew about living a fulfilled life.
What You’ll Learn:
• The happiness algorithm—and how to make it work for you
• Why dopamine addiction is robbing you of joy (and how to fix it)
• The four stress modalities and how to regain control
• Biohacks that build resilience—like cold plunges, gratitude, and micro-habits
• How small mindset shifts can create major life transformations
And don’t miss Part 2, dropping in two days! Dave and Mo explore the intersection of happiness and AI, revealing how to get them both working FOR you instead of against you.
Resources:
2025 Biohacking Conference – https://biohackingconference.com/2025
Mo Gawdat’s Book: Scary Smart – https://a.co/d/6DukqyW
Mo Gawdat’s Book: Unstressable – https://a.co/d/hrbpY9O
Follow Mo Gawdat on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mo_gawdat/
Danger Coffee – https://dangercoffee.com
Dave Asprey’s Website – https://daveasprey.com
Dave Asprey’s Book: Smarter Not Harder – https://daveasprey.com/books
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
Sponsors:
Neurohacker | Go to https://qualialife.com/dave and use code Dave for 15% off.
Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:31 – Introduction to The Human Upgrade
00:45 – Dave Asprey’s AI Background
01:13 – Introducing Mo Gawdat and His Work
01:51 – From Scary Smart to Unstressable
02:40 – The Journey to Happiness
13:10 – Understanding Stress and Its Mechanisms
17:26 – The Four Modalities of Stress
24:16 – Mental Stress and the Happiness Flowchart
31:34 – Sources of Stress: Trauma, Obsessions, Noise, and Nuisances
33:27 – Understanding Modern PTSD
34:09 – The Role of Obsessions and Noise
36:24 – Biohacking for Resilience
37:58 – The Power of Gratitude
40:12 – The Happiness Equation
54:37 – Dopamine vs. Serotonin
01:03:00 – The Benefits of Cold Therapy
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