Two Nerdy Biohackers Reveal Their Secrets To Spiritual Health, Life Optimization, Plant Medicines, Rites Of Passage, Mental Models & Much More!

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luke storey
Biohacking, Brain, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mind-Spirit, Podcast, Podcast-new, Spiritual Growth & Disciplines

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My friend and fellow “biohacker” Luke Storey and I recently had a chance to sit down at his home in Los Angeles, the same home that you may already be very familiar with if you heard my previous epic episode with Luke entitled A Crazy Biohacking Adventure With Luke Storey & Ben Greenfield: Smart Drugs, Sleep Hacking, Infrared Light, Cold Pools & Beyond!

However, rather than discussing supplements, biohacks, nutrition, fitness, and “the usual” topics we so often geek out on, we instead took a deep dive into spirituality, lifestyle, parenting, productivity, the spiritual disciplines, and much more.

In my wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation with Luke, you'll discover:

-What's new in Ben and Luke's lives…6:05

  • Ben:
    • Just finished cookbook as a companion to Boundless
    • Struggling with impostor syndrome
    • Upcoming book on spiritual disciplines
    • Fitter than ever due to not traveling on planes
    • Consciousness of diet around wife Jessa began Ben's ancestral approach to nutrition
    • Book: Dietary Cure for Acne by Loren Cordain
    • Always carry high-quality salt and extra virgin olive oil while traveling
  • Luke:
    • Whenever possible, sit down to a great meal at US Wellness Meats
    • Working on first book, name to be announced soon
    • 24-year journey of spirituality, biohacking
    • Part personal memoir, part sharing what I've learned along the way
  • Difficult aspects of writing the book:
    • Writing while keeping everything close to the chest (tweet snippets as a sneak preview)
    • Organization, gathering data related to the book
    • Knowing when to say “stop”
  • Scrivener software

-Why Ben and Luke are drawn to writing books and hosting podcasts…21:20

  • They're both storytellers
  • Speak to fascinating people you ordinarily wouldn't be able to speak to
  • Listeners are enamored with the innate curiosity and willingness to self-experiment

-Living a life without asking, “What now?”…24:55

  • C.S. Lewis: “We have a God-shaped hole in our lives…”
  • St. Augustine: “A never-ending yearning”
  • Blaise Pascal's Pensées
  • We're born connected and experience trauma; cut off from God
  • Filling that hole with poor substitutes: drugs, porn, etc.
  • BGF podcast with Dr. John Lieurance
  • Book: Awareness by Anthony De Mello
  • Remove yourself from potential addictive elements; amazing how it won't affect you
  • Scarcity mindset: it's a mentality issue
  • Don't need expensive biohacks if you know how to utilize the free things nature provides
  • We neglect to appreciate our modern world while enamored with the past

-The need for young men to undergo rites of passage into adulthood…34:25

  • Beware of having an “all or nothing” approach; brief excursions into seclusion
  • The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (coming soon)
  • Do the hardship before popping the pill
  • BGF podcast with Tim Corcoran on Vision Quests
  • Need for a conspicuous recognition of passage into adulthood
  • Embrace a healthy view of plant medicines

-Ben's experiences with plant medicines…55:30

  • Began investigating plant medicines late in life (31 years old)
  • MDMA and ketamine
  • First ayahuasca ceremony paired with DMT
  • No intention or specific purpose until 5 years into the journey
  • Did this without informing wife Jessa; began to drift apart
  • Quarterly retreat with wife, overseen by a facilitator
  • 27-hour experience that cracked the ego; releasing messianic complex

-How Luke changed his perspective on psychedelics…1:05:05

  • Would not partake due to previous alcoholism
  • Viewed psychedelics as a means of seeing unused potential rather than an escape (when it was addictive)
  • Rewiring of the brain after purposeful use of plant medicines
  • Ensure no compounds consumed are addictive
  • Attachment to peak experiences (not necessarily addiction) is a potential risk
  • Must detach from pleasures, embrace self-denial before partaking for any spiritual benefit

-Luke Storey's personal spiritual disciplines practice…1:17:15

-Where Luke and Ben see themselves in the future…1:35:50

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Episode resources:

Luke Storey:

– BGF podcasts and articles:

– Books:

– Other resources:

Episode sponsors:

Kion: My personal playground for new supplement formulations, Kion blends ancestral wisdom with modern science. Ben Greenfield Fitness listeners, receive a 10% discount off your entire order when you use discount code BEN10.

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Got a question for Luke Storey or me on anything we discussed in this episode? Drop a comment below, and one of us will reply!

Since the original release of this content, Ben has changed many of his thoughts and practices regarding plant medicine. To learn more, please read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

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3 thoughts on “Two Nerdy Biohackers Reveal Their Secrets To Spiritual Health, Life Optimization, Plant Medicines, Rites Of Passage, Mental Models & Much More!

  1. Keith says:

    You talk about the quarterly retreats that you do with your wife. Would you mind sharing more information about who facilitates those?

  2. Luke Storey says:

    Thanks for another inspiring conversation Ben. Always a wild ride🤘🏼

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