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The Biohacker's Morning

Updated July 10, 2026

Dave Asprey's high-fat, high-performance morning: a functional coffee with fats for steady energy and focus, plus light and movement. Popular, and clearly labelled where the evidence is thin.

Founder · Bulletproof
Not endorsed · Based on the published work of Dave Asprey
Daily time
~30 min
Steps
5
Difficulty
Beginner
Sources
4
View the steps →
What it is

This is the morning routine that made Dave Asprey famous: a cup of coffee blended with healthy fats (his Bulletproof, now Danger, coffee) in place of a heavy breakfast, aimed at smooth, jitter-free energy and focus. We give you his actual routine, the products he sells, and an honest read on where the science is solid and where it is marketing. Treat it as one popular option, not settled nutrition science.

Why it works
The idea is that fat slows caffeine's hit and gives steady energy, while skipping carbs in the morning keeps blood sugar flat. Coffee itself has good evidence for alertness; the specific 'butter coffee replaces breakfast' claims are far less established. The honest version: many people enjoy the focus and steady energy, but this is a preference-and-experiment routine, not a proven requirement.
The evidence
Sources
Published work by Dave Asprey, cited straight to the source: long-form episodes, clips, peer-reviewed papers and their own writing. Select any to view it here.
1
How to make Bulletproof Coffee, with Dave Asprey
Video
2
The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey
Podcast
3
How to make your coffee bulletproof (daveasprey.com)
Article
4
Dave Asprey on the 'mold-free coffee' marketing claim (Instagram)
Clip
Source viewer
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The protocol
Clinical strong human trials Mixed some or emerging evidence Commercial weak or unproven, sold widely Equipment / Test not an evidence claim How we grade →
Core

Start with a clean, well-made coffee

1 cup brewed coffee, quality beans

Coffee reliably supports alertness and focus. Asprey emphasises clean, mold-tested beans; that specific 'mold' concern is more marketing than established risk, but good coffee is a fair starting point.

Asprey · The Human Upgrade
For this stepMixed
Quality coffee
Any good, clean coffee works
Core

Blend in C8 MCT oil for steady energy

~1 tbsp C8 MCT, build up slowly

C8 MCT converts to ketones quickly and can give smooth energy. Start small to avoid stomach upset. This is the part of the ritual with the most plausible mechanism.

Asprey
For this stepMixed
C8 MCT oil
Start with a small amount
Optional

Add grass-fed butter or collagen

1 tsp to 1 tbsp butter, or a scoop of collagen

Fat slows caffeine's curve for some people; collagen adds protein for skin, hair and joints. Optional, and not a substitute for a real protein breakfast if you train hard.

Asprey
For this stepMixed
Grass-fed collagen
An optional add-in
Foundation

Get morning light and move

5 to 10 min daylight; a short walk or mobility

Daylight and early movement anchor your circadian rhythm and energy far more reliably than any drink. This is the free, high-impact part of the morning.

Asprey
For this step
No product needed
Optional

Consider waiting on extra caffeine

Notice your own response to timing and dose

Some people do better delaying a second coffee and not stacking caffeine late. Experiment; this routine is about finding your own steady energy, not a fixed rule.

Asprey
For this step
No product needed
Is this for you?
Good fit if
  • People who like coffee and want steady morning energy
  • Anyone who naturally skips a big breakfast
  • Those drawn to the biohacking style who want an honest read on it
  • People who want focus without a mid-morning crash
Cautions
  • Dave Asprey sells most of what he recommends here (Danger Coffee, MCT, collagen). The brand choices are ours to flag; any quality coffee, C8 oil or collagen works just as well. Food-first beats any branded ritual.
  • Replacing breakfast with butter coffee is a preference, not proven nutrition. If you train hard, are pregnant, have a history of disordered eating, or have high cholesterol that responds to saturated fat, a protein-based breakfast is the safer default.
  • Many 'bulletproof' claims (mould toxins, IQ gains) are marketing rather than established science. Enjoy the routine for steady energy and focus, not as medicine.
  • Start MCT oil in small amounts to avoid GI upset, and watch total caffeine if you are sensitive or anxious.
  • Educational only, not medical advice.
Related protocols
Update history
  • July 10, 2026 Added a verified Instagram Clip from Dave Asprey's own account.
  • July 3, 2026 Protocol published.
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Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Independent curation. YourProtocol.ai is an independent platform. This protocol is based on the publicly available work of Dave Asprey and is not created, reviewed, endorsed by, or affiliated with Dave Asprey or Founder · Bulletproof.

The Biohacker's Morning
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