Dave Asprey Quarterly Subscription Box Review #BIO03
Dave Asprey is one of the newest Quarterly Box curators, and also one of the most popular! I wasn’t familiar with him before he launched on Quarterly, but after checking out his new book I was intrigued. Here’s the quick background from Amazon:
In his midtwenties, Dave Asprey was a successful Silicon Valley multimillionaire. He also weighed 300 pounds, despite the fact that he was doing what doctors recommended: eating 1,800 calories a day and working out 90 minutes a day, six times a week.When his excess fat started causing brain fog and food cravings sapped his energy and willpower, Asprey turned to the same hacking techniques that made his fortune to “hack” his own biology, investing more than $300,000 and 15 years to uncover what was hindering his energy, performance, appearance, and happiness. From private brain EEG facilities to remote monasteries in Tibet, through radioactive brain scans, blood chemistry work, nervous system testing, and more, he explored traditional and alternative technologies to reach his physical and mental prime.
And his quick Quarterly bio:
Dave Asprey is the founder of Bulletproof, and his blog reaches more than 1.5 million visitors each month. His mailings include things that optimize your performance as a human.
Update October 2016: The Dave Asprey Biohacking Box is no longer available on Quarterly.co, but can now be purchased directly from his website at biohacked.com.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Dave Asprey Quarterly Box
The Cost: $100 plus shipping
The Products: Things that optimize your performance as a human
Ships: Worldwide.
Check out all of my Dave Asprey Box reviews!
Each Quarterly curator includes a letter detailing the items included. Dave wanted to do a video letter instead, so you can check it out if you like!
Ancient Organics Ghee – 8 oz Value $21
This ghee gets amazing reviews on Amazon (which I would hope for at over $2 an ounce!). I use ghee and coconut oil for cooking, so this is perfect for us!
Premium VIGR Elk Velvet Antler – Value $45
Host Defense Lion’s Mane – Value $15
I haven’t tried either of these products yet, but for all supplements included in this box it’s worth mentioning that their benefits statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. With that disclaimer, here is more info on each product and what it claims to do:
Premium VIGR Elk Velvet Antler is a humanely and sustainably harvested product of Canada.VIGR Elk Velvet Antler
Elk velvet antler has been used for over 2,000 years in eastern medicine to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions and as a preventative measure.
Within North America, physicians have used it to treat fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, impotence, arthritis, and depression.
Research also indicates that elk velvet antler:
Increases energy and stamina
Slows the aging process
Boosts immunity
Improves muscular and nerve strength
Increases athletic performance
Generates cell rejuvenation
Promotes healthy hair, nails and skin
Aids in weight loss or maintenance of healthy weight
Regulates hormones and stimulates libido
Renews mental health and elevates mood
Decreases chronic pain
Improves general sexual performance in both men and women
Reduces stress and improves libido in women experiencing menopause
Enhances memory and learning
Reduces age-related oxidation in the liver
Promotes general health and healing
And for the Lion’s Mane:
This beautiful species, appearing as a white waterfall of cascading icicles, is found on broad leaf trees and logs. The subject of recent studies, Lion’s Mane is renowned for providing support to the brain and nervous system.*
Host Defense® Lion’s Mane uses activated, freeze-dried, Certified Organic mycelium, with a full spectrum of constituents: polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylane, glucose, xylose, galactose and mannose), glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids and other myco-nutrients,which are essential for Supporting Natural Immunity.*Promotes mental clarity, focus and memory*
Provides cerebral and nervous system support*
Many studies have identified a NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) in Lion’s Mane
Optimizes nervous and immune system health*
Supports cognitive function*
The Dirt Toothpowder – Value $12
Fat Face Stank Stop Deodorant – Value $12
Both of these brands are new to me. (And I’m always up for trying out a new natural deodorant – even if it called Fat Face Stank Stop!)
Bulletproof Glutathione Force in Orange Spice Flavor – Value $14.75
This is a new flavor variation of the Glutathione Force, and this dispenser holds 10 servings. Here is a description of the benefits from the Bulletproof site:
Glutathione, your body’s master antioxidant, is often depleted by environmental toxins, health stressors, poor diet and more.†Glutathione Force uses the Bulletproof proprietary Activated LiposomalTM delivery system to increase the bioavailability of glutathione beyond normal liposomal delivery — supporting optimal cellular function and protecting against oxidative stress.†The improved flavor is made from all natural orange, cinnamon and clove essential oils to give you a pleasant and refreshing citrus spice flavor. This new formula reduces the sulfur smell and taste associated with most oral glutathione products.This new and improved formula now includes molybdenum, a trace mineral that supports enzymatic activation for glutathione pathways, and riboflavin (Vitamin B2), a necessary precursor supporting the recycling of used glutathione. (+)†THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
And the box came with coupons for all the items included.
Verdict: This box has a retail value of about $120. Including shipping to the US ($8), you’d still come out a little ahead in terms of value vs cost on this box. That being said, I think this is definitely a box for Dave Asprey followers who put value in his personal curation as well. (I recommend checking out the video letter if you are on the fence about subscribing).
What do you think of #BIO03?
Written by Liz Cadman
does anyone have any more experience/knowledge concerning this elk velvet stuff?
I have been looking for the colostrum powder from a past box of his. If anyone has one they want to sell leftover from box please let me know !
Toothpaste is great. Ghee and deodorant will be used. Other supplements are oddly specific. Not much info provided on the supplements or why we should take them. Syringe looks like they’d be sold out of a car trunk in an alley. For the cost, I’m not impressed. I could just as easily go to Whole Food and buy random supplements from the sale rack. This package needed more explanation. Video link wasnt working as of the other day, maybe if has more info..
“sustainably” harvested deer velvet is anything but in my opinion. The deer are tranquilized to minimize stress while the velvet is removed from their antlers. Most of this stuff comes from New Zealand where deer are farmed. Much of it goes to Asia.
While many non FDA approved supplements may indeed be beneficial there are hundreds more that aren’t. Look at the supplement aisle in any drug store/ department store or places like GNC. There was a recent study done that discovered that many supplements do not contain what is on the label….including products sold at GNC.
Of course this is all from my own viewpoint but I’m a big believer in obtaining the nutrients you need from a proper diet and not from a botttle
I’m a former biomedical scientist and current medical student and I love Lions Mane! I used to work at Whole Foods after grad school and can tell you that that is the absolute best brand as well. That guy really knows his stuff and is passionate about fungi lol.
Dave Asprey sounds like a very clever salesman of snake oil. Ghee is simply clarified butter, nothing more, and as a toxicologist, I don’t believe that you can deliver glutathione by ingesting it. Your body makes what it needs.
Actually, you can deliver glutathione by ingesting it. I took a dissolvable tab under my tongue for months while I was detoxing from high mercury levels. There was a noticeable difference when I didn’t take it, as my body did not have the support it needed.
I’m not sure about the syringe version (though is my tablet taste could have been improved that would have been wonderful), and I don’t know how the other supplements he suggested work (if they do at all), but the ghee isn’t misleading. Some people don’t want to make ghee on their own due to the little bit of time it takes. But for people who should stay clear of dairy for intolerance reasons (casein), buying a jar of ghee saves time and allows for a buttery taste.