The Man Thats Ageing Backwards: “I Was 45, I’m Now 18!” - Bryan Johnson
30 Dec 2023 (9 months ago)
- Bryan Johnson spends two million dollars a year on slowing and reversing his ageing.
- He has biologically regressed to the age of 18.
- His goal is to live to 200 years.
- Johnson follows a strict regimen including an algorithm that dictates his lifestyle and diet.
- Johnson's mission is to ensure the survival and thriving of the human race.
- He became an entrepreneur to generate funds for large-scale human improvement.
- Sold Braintree/Venmo for $800 million at age 34.
- He seeks to make a century-scale impact on humanity.
- As a student, Johnson was friendly and enjoyed connecting with diverse groups.
- He made a social map of his entire school to become friends with everyone.
- His approach includes creating detailed information maps when tackling problems or meeting new people.
- Leaving Mormonism was a highly emotional and rational challenge for Johnson.
- He faced chronic depression in his early 20s.
- This period led him to question the reliability of his and others' thoughts and authorities.
- His experiences prompted a reconstruction of his reality and pursuit of stable knowledge.
- Bryan Johnson's depression began at age 24 and lasted for a decade.
- The depression was attributed to various stresses, including caring for a newborn, struggling with a startup, marital issues, and leaving the Mormon faith.
- Financial strain and lack of sleep exacerbated his struggles.
- The critical change came when his marriage ended, and he left the Mormon church, which lifted his depression.
- Post-Mormonism, Bryan experienced significant changes: he sold his company Braintree, divorced, and overcame depression, all within a year.
- He embraced the freedom from his prior constraints by dancing for hours at warehouse parties in Brooklyn.
- The most important consideration for him was pondering what would matter in the long term, centuries into the future.
- Bryan discusses the pressure to conform to society's norms and his resistance to being pigeonholed.
- His resilience was shaped by his religious experiences and his desire to maximize his potential far beyond the expectations of others.
- He explores societal norms and the loss of potential due to conforming to these norms.
- Bryan found inspiration from biographies, noting historical figures who challenged the status quo and understanding the predictable cycle of societal resistance to change.
- Introduces the simplistically profound idea that the central objective for humanity in the 21st century should be to not die
- Unpredictability of the future and the inability of current human intellect to model or anticipate upcoming challenges
- The necessity for humans and AI to cooperate for the sustainability of the biosphere and human existence
- “Don’t die” is not just about individual longevity, but also about the larger goal of humanity not destroying itself or its environment
- Reflects on a childhood and youth characterized by poor dietary habits and unhealthy practices in the cultural context of 1980s America
- Admits a self-destructive pattern during 20 years of entrepreneurship and personal turmoil, with lasting regret over past damage to his health
- Radical change in health perspective occurred after a poignant phase involving divorce and depression
- Devised a philosophy that externalizes decision-making authority regarding health to an algorithm informed by organ health data and scientific research
- Trusts body data and AI over his mind for making health-related decisions
- Proposes cellular cooperation and aligning the 35 trillion cells in the body towards the unified objective of slowing aging
- Redefines acts that expedite aging or harm the environment as self-destructive violence
- Views the brain as an adversary when it encourages behaviors that conflict with the longevity of cells
- Suggests that if death is no longer seen as inevitable, society would radically shift its approach towards preservation of life
- Envisions Project Blueprint as an application of the "don't die" philosophy applied across all levels of society and the planet
- Driving is one of the highest risk factors for mortality we encounter regularly.
- A ritual of reminding oneself that driving is dangerous can increase attention to safety.
- Statistical models by insurance companies assess the risk of various activities.
- Cultural norms facilitate a society addicted to various harmful habits and substances.
Cultural norms and society [merged section]
- Society has surrounded individuals with addictive temptations such as fast food, sugary drinks, pornography, infinite scrolling on social media, Netflix binging, alcohol, smoking, gambling, and nicotine.
- The collective force of these temptations makes it difficult for a person to resist, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Individuals struggle with health issues like sleep deprivation, inability to exercise, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and various addictions because of these environmental factors.
- The manipulation of brain chemistry, often driven by corporate greed, exacerbates these problems, leading to a range of societal health issues.
- There is a need for empathy towards individuals struggling to maintain health within this challenging societal framework.
- Emphasizes sleep as foundational to health.
- Claims perfect sleep for four months using Whoop tracker.
- Prioritizes sleep at the same time nightly with no exceptions.
- Last meal of day at 11 AM, leading to improved sleep on an empty stomach.
- Adjusts lifestyle to protect sleep schedule; friends and family accommodate.
- Room temperature and presence of light or noise are controlled for optimal sleep environment.
- Believes separate sleeping arrangements can improve sleep quality.
- Suggests compromise is needed in relationships for sleep hygiene maintenance.
- Sleep routine includes wind down time, avoiding certain foods, and using sleep to solve problems.
Cost of Perfect Sleep and Lifestyle Changes [No specific start time provided]
- Bedtime at 8:30 PM restricts social activities and participation in events.
- Schedule has become normalized after initial tough adjustments, making it easier.
Sleep Habits and Impact on Relationships [No specific start time provided]
- Strict sleep schedule is at the top of the list of potentially off-putting personal habits for romantic partners.
- Other personal rules include dietary restrictions, and a preference to avoid small talk, especially in the morning.
Pre-Sleep Ritual and Dietary Considerations [No specific start time provided]
- Maintains consistent bedtime with specific ambient temperature.
- Aware of potential disruptions like sound and light; takes measures to mitigate them.
- Acknowledges the negative impact certain foods and alcohol can have on sleep quality.
- Avoids work right before bedtime and designates sleep time for subconscious problem-solving.
Reflections on Sleep Optimization and Personal Experiences [No specific start time provided]
- Considers his sleep optimization efforts potentially among the best, supported by data from his tracking device.
- Questions the lasting impact of earlier poor sleep habits and whether others may naturally sleep better due to less damage from past habits.
- Believes no one tries harder to achieve perfect sleep within his circumstances.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) represents the nervous system's balance between its parasympathetic (relaxation) and sympathetic (stress response) components.
- High HRV is associated with better stress management and indicates a healthier autonomic nervous system.
- Bryan Johnson achieved a meaningful increase in HRV from the mid-30s to low 60s over 500 days but aims to improve it further.
- HRV is measured in milliseconds and is the interval between heartbeats, with higher intervals being preferable.
- Various devices and methods have been tried to improve HRV, including sensors and stimulators targeting the vagus nerve, but sustainable improvements have been elusive.
- Bryan previously drank alcohol to manage stress but stopped due to calorie concerns and potential negative impacts on sleep and overall health.
- Bryan Johnson is mission-driven, prioritizing the thriving of intelligent existence over all else.
- He feels fulfilled, stable, free, bold, and is experiencing the most alive moment of his life.
- Once suffering from severe depression, he now views life as a self-chosen playful game and disregards others' expectations or acceptance.
- Recent dark days have been rare and related to undisclosed personal matters.
- Negative feedback is usually energizing for Bryan, but harsh criticism toward his father regarding a public health choice affected him deeply, highlighting his protective feelings toward his dad.
- The speaker, Bryan Johnson, engaged in plasma exchange experiments with his family, where he donated his plasma to his father for cognitive decline treatments.
- The idea stemmed from research on longevity, where plasma exchanges showed potential benefits for cognitive issues like Alzheimer's.
- Although the science is still emerging and the results on humans are inconclusive, mice studies suggested some efficacy.
- Johnson's father reported feeling phenomenally better, although objective data were still pending.
- The process became a family bonding experience, contrasting with their past division due to religious differences.
- Johnson emphasized the alignment with the 'blueprint' concept, which values biological control systems over divisive mental constructs.
- Johnson consumes a highly controlled diet, designed to optimize health, consisting of 2,250 calories per day where each calorie serves a specific purpose.
- His meals include "super veggie” with various vegetables like broccoli and lentils, seasoned with potassium chloride instead of salt, and paired with high-quality, heavy metal-tested dark chocolate.
- Another dish is "nutty pudding" made from macadamia nuts, flaxseed, pomegranate juice, berries, and pea protein, consumed along with additional meals varying daily.
- He also ingests 111 pills throughout the day, 60 of which are taken in the morning alongside a drink called "Green Giant."
- His dietary principles focus on caloric restriction and the inclusion of nutritionally dense foods that undergo a rigorous selection process.
- Johnson treats his diet as an autopilot system directed by an evidence-based algorithm, which he compares to the efficiency of an autopilot in aviation versus manual flying.
- Takes around 111 pills daily, including vitamins and advanced drugs.
- Supplements include basics like vitamin D, C, and advanced compounds like metformin.
- Uses NAD+ modulation to maintain younger biological age.
- Tested both NR and NMN supplements to elevate NAD+ levels, with both proving effective.
- Aims to achieve NAD+ levels akin to an 18-year-old, regardless of actual chronological age.
- Focus on increasing health span with an effective protocol.
- Suggests following the published blueprint, which is claimed to be the best health protocol available.
- Skeptical of the numerous health gurus who offer conflicting advice and emphasizes the need for personal data and measurement.
- Recommends zero sugar intake, managing testosterone levels with supplementation to stay within the normal range, and overall, emphasizes systematic experimentation and iterative improvement based on one's own health data.
- Advocates for actively fighting hair loss.
- Uses a custom formulation with minoxidil, red light therapy cap, PRF treatments, and specific supplements for hair maintenance.
- Emphasizes incorporating routines to make regimens less burdensome, prioritizing habit formation and simple daily procedures.
- Addresses concerns over sexual side effects from hair loss medications by adjusting dosages and monitoring libido.
- Uses a high-frequency electromagnetic stimulation device to improve pelvic health and inadvertently noted an increase in nocturnal erections.
- Bryan Johnson emphasizes posture due to its impact on blood flow and brain health.
- He discovered he has narrow internal jugular veins, affecting blood flow from the brain.
- Poor posture can exacerbate intracranial pressure, adversely affecting the brain.
- Measurements revealed high intracranial pressure and white matter hyperintensities in his brain.
- His team focused on posture to alleviate these issues and prevent potential catastrophic events.
- He mentions the difficulty in maintaining good posture and its potential link to health outcomes.
- Bryan discusses the necessity of aligning with AI, using a thought experiment on future perspectives.
- He speculates that a 25th-century AI might observe the principle of preserving life, reflecting how our current actions may influence it.
- The cooperation between all forms of intelligence is seen as essential for survival.
- He suggests that humans need to adopt a singular goal of existence to coexist with AI.
- Bryan challenges the cultural acceptance of death and promotes proactive efforts to extend life.
- He suggests rethinking authority structures and prioritizing life over competing human desires.
- There is a consideration for control systems beyond human capacity for long-term survival.
- Bryan talks about the usual counterargument against extreme life preservation measures and questions the supremacy of the human mind over the body.
- Bryan Johnson believes that individuals must strive to eliminate self-violence and internal conflicts.
- He foresees artificial intelligence as the new dominating force on the planet, superseding human intelligence.
- Johnson views the challenge of our time as the need for cooperation and harmony, both individually and at the species level.
- He's focused on solving broader existential threats personally—such as climate change, AI alignment, and social cooperation.
- In developing his philosophy, he aims to be a one-person example of solving complex system problems, a concept he refers to as "blueprint."
- Johnson does not feel optimistic about the human mind solving these issues alone, hence the urgency in his work.
- He believes we have less time than expected to counter existential threats and that proactive measures should be taken immediately without waiting for potential catastrophe.
- Johnson acknowledges he thinks differently compared to others, citing neurological divergence.
- He perceives the world as generally illogical and is often surprised at how different his viewpoint is from the majority.
- There is mutual sentiment, as the world views him as unusual, but he believes the societal status quo is more peculiar and irrational.
- The essential message from Johnson is that humanity has a unique opportunity to evolve and experience extraordinary existence.
- Significant sacrifice and a paradigm shift from sacred societal beliefs will be necessary for this evolution.
- He emphasizes internal revolution through daily self-care acts such as proper sleep, healthy eating, avoiding addictions, and responsible engagement with technology.
- Johnson promotes the importance of personal responsibility and action rather than attributing blame externally for societal issues.
- He exudes a sense of satisfaction from dedicating his life to identifying and promoting a philosophy that could potentially benefit humanity.
- Brian Johnson is often labeled as narcissistic and self-centered because of his attempts to reverse aging.
- The public perception of Johnson as seeking eternal youth for selfish reasons, such as dating younger people, differs from the reality of his motivations.
- Johnson's actual goal is more focused on advancing human well-being rather than personal gain.
- He cares deeply for his family and is trying to improve their health and longevity.
- Johnson's father, at 75, has been a particular concern for him, as he has faced the fear of losing him to death.
- He actively sends his parents health supplements and advice to help prolong their lives, though they sometimes find it overwhelming.
- The interviewer acknowledges the value in Johnson's unique perspective and his atypical way of thinking.
- It is important to have diverse thinkers in society, as they bring innovation and new perspectives that can benefit human progress.
- Despite societal pressures and judgments, Johnson remains committed to his mission.
- The interviewer expresses respect for Johnson's courage to ignore criticism and pursue his path.
- Both the interviewer and Johnson appreciate the open, non-judgmental dialogue they shared during the conversation.
- Johnson's experiences with close-mindedness in interviews have made the understanding and open-minded approach of the interviewer particularly meaningful to him.