Anti-aging influencer Bryan Johnson , known for his extreme $2 million annual health regimen aimed at reversing aging, has publicly admitted that a key component of his protocol, the drug Rapamycin , may have been detrimental to his health. In a recent YouTube video, the 46-year-old biohacker revealed he experienced several negative side effects after five years of carefully adjusting his Rapamycin dosage.
The immunosuppressant, initially developed for organ transplant recipients, gained popularity in anti-aging circles due to studies suggesting it could extend lifespan by targeting the mTOR pathway. Johnson was inspired by research showing increased lifespan in mice and improved health outcomes in a human trial.
The drug that Bryan Johnson says accelerated his aging process
However, instead of the anticipated rejuvenation, Johnson suffered from mouth ulcers, slow-healing wounds, elevated cholesterol, and blood glucose spikes. Most concerning was a sustained increase in his resting heart rate, a crucial metric for his recovery and sleep quality. These physiological changes prompted him to discontinue the drug.
Adding to his concerns, a recent Yale University study challenged the purported anti-aging benefits of Rapamycin, suggesting it might actually accelerate biological aging by negatively impacting epigenetic markers.
Despite the setback, Johnson stated that stopping Rapamycin was a "reset," not a surrender, emphasizing the importance of sharing both successes and failures in the pursuit of understanding how to slow aging. He acknowledged the irony of a central element of his meticulously planned regimen potentially causing harm, stating, "To those of you laughing at home, I’m laughing with you." Johnson maintains that his approach is part of a scientific exploration, accepting the risks involved in trying to identify interventions that genuinely impact the aging process.
The immunosuppressant, initially developed for organ transplant recipients, gained popularity in anti-aging circles due to studies suggesting it could extend lifespan by targeting the mTOR pathway. Johnson was inspired by research showing increased lifespan in mice and improved health outcomes in a human trial.
The drug that Bryan Johnson says accelerated his aging process
However, instead of the anticipated rejuvenation, Johnson suffered from mouth ulcers, slow-healing wounds, elevated cholesterol, and blood glucose spikes. Most concerning was a sustained increase in his resting heart rate, a crucial metric for his recovery and sleep quality. These physiological changes prompted him to discontinue the drug.
Adding to his concerns, a recent Yale University study challenged the purported anti-aging benefits of Rapamycin, suggesting it might actually accelerate biological aging by negatively impacting epigenetic markers.
Despite the setback, Johnson stated that stopping Rapamycin was a "reset," not a surrender, emphasizing the importance of sharing both successes and failures in the pursuit of understanding how to slow aging. He acknowledged the irony of a central element of his meticulously planned regimen potentially causing harm, stating, "To those of you laughing at home, I’m laughing with you." Johnson maintains that his approach is part of a scientific exploration, accepting the risks involved in trying to identify interventions that genuinely impact the aging process.
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Perishers - 15th April 2025