Genuine Scientific Discoveries from Brian Johnson’s Quest for Immortality

After completing his 6.5-hour morning routine, Brian Johnson connects to Zoom on a preset 15-minute phone call, a restriction his team describes as part of his “crazy” schedule.

The tech billionaire has emerged as a pioneer of longevity while standing against the concrete walls of his California residence. With a helmet-like headset, wires trailing from the screen, and a black T-shirt that reads “Don’t Die,” his appearance evokes a blend of a luxurious Bali villa and a sleek Apple-designed VR store.

While the concept of immortality has fascinated humans for millennia, few have pursued it with the determination that Johnson does. His headset is part of an experiment designed to enhance cognitive function, utilizing specific brain region stimulation via infrared rays. He has committed to a 10-minute daily use of the device over the past two weeks to evaluate its impact on his cognition.

Johnson’s remaining 6 hours and 20 minutes are dedicated to his daily longevity protocol, which includes focused breathing exercises, temperature measurement, hair growth serum application, strength and balance training, a 20-minute sauna session, and treatments like red light therapy and hypoxia therapy. His diet consists of ground nuts, seeds, blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, pomegranate extract, cocoa, collagen, pea and hemp protein, cinnamon, omega-3, omega-6, grape seed extract, macadamia milk, and more. “All this is to turn back the clock [using data and science].”

“People often hear this and think ‘It’s crazy,'” he remarks. “The best way to view it is to see me as a professional rejuvenating athlete—an Olympic athlete, but for longevity.”

Now 48, Johnson embarked on his longevity quest following a series of midlife events: the end of his marriage and the sale of his mobile payment company, which provided him with millions to fund his endeavors.

Project Blueprint

He announced the launch of Project Blueprint in 2021—a mission aimed at measuring organs and reversing biological ages to the “maximum.” He also operates a startup, Blueprint, which markets supplements, blood tests, and other products, facing multiple controversies. Johnson asserts that his bone density ranks in the top 0.2% and his cardiovascular fitness exceeds that of 85% of 20-year-olds, combined with fertility metrics reflecting that of a 20-year-old.

Among his fellow tech billionaires, engaging in extreme and often unproven methods to pursue longevity is not unusual. However, with a strict eating schedule that includes a last meal at 11 a.m., Johnson stands out as the most radical participant in the longevity race, supported by a team of 30 specialists in various fields. “We’re seeking expertise across all domains… brain, mind, protein patterns,” he explains. “This project is experimental and playful.”

Rapamycin Testing

“Very experimental” aptly describes Johnson’s regimen, which may incorporate medications like rapamycin—initially administered as an immunosuppressant post-organ transplant. While animal studies reveal promising results, he ceased taking it last year due to side effects and subsequently discovered a study indicating rapamycin could accelerate aging in humans.

Does he fear experimenting with interventions lacking robust scientific backing?

“I flip that notion,” Johnson replies. “Many people view my experiments as risky, yet they indulge in fast food, late nights, and alcohol, which pose greater risks than my lifestyle. I maintain a healthy diet, ample sleep, and consistent exercise, minimizing my overall risk.”

Some scientists appreciate Johnson’s self-experimentation, while others challenge his terminology. Richard Shiou, Director of Aging Research at King’s College London, notes that some aging-related “biomarkers” can be reversed, including blood metrics, lung volume, lipid profiles, and inflammation markers. However, he argues that this does not equate to suggesting that a person possesses the metabolism of a 25-year-old at 40, given the absence of comprehensive datasets illustrating average biomarkers by age. Longevity clinics providing such tests often rely on limited datasets, according to SIOW. “The numbers may sound appealing for marketing, but they lack clinical sense.”

Conversely, Johnson’s research team maintains that he accurately knows his organ’s biological age through rigorous testing and monitoring, employing methods like MRI scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and genetic assessments (e.g., epigenetic clocks). While these findings are reported via X, they’ve yet to undergo peer-review.

Notably, SIOW appreciates Johnson’s willingness to self-experiment in ways typically not feasible in clinical trials due to ethical constraints.

Optimal Tips for Achieving a Century

Despite his tech innovations, Johnson’s fundamental advice for anyone aspiring to reach 100 is surprisingly straightforward. “Lower your resting heart rate before bed,” he suggests, as it impacts sleep quality, which in turn affects exercise, nutrition, and overall health, creating a positive feedback loop.

To achieve a reduced resting heart rate, he advises refraining from eating four hours prior to bedtime, engaging in calming activities such as reading, walking, meditating, and avoiding screens for an hour before sleep. Additionally, he cautions against stimulants like caffeine. “The most significant is anxiety. Just thinking about being angry, worried, or fixated can elevate your heart rate by 5-25 beats per minute,” he adds.

Johnson practices what he preaches, yet the longevity he aims for may be less about years and more about enhancing quality of existence.

When asked about his lifespan expectations based on current biomarkers, he responds, “The average lifespan isn’t my focus.” Part of his “not die” initiative includes uploading his consciousness to an AI model, allowing him to exist beyond a quantifiable timeframe. “This is the first instance of genuine immortality. Indeed, we can train human models. The advancements we’re witnessing in AI are astonishing, outpacing the 40-50 years I might have left.”