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The Bryan Johnson Effect: Biohacking Our Way to Longevity
Navigating the Intersection of Biohacking, Community, and the Quest for a Longer Life
Cara Gray
March 26, 2025
Dear Friends,
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending time with a close friend who happens to be a doctor. As we caught up, we discovered a shared fascination with Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur turned biohacker. Our conversation led us to watch the Netflix documentary “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever” together, sparking an engaging discussion about longevity. This topic resonates deeply with both of us - for me as a Third Act Consultant helping clients design fulfilling post-career lives, and for my friend as a medical professional. Moreover, we both have personal interests in extending not just the length, but the quality of our lives.
I must admit, I approached our discussion with a degree of skepticism about Johnson’s methods. I had recently read a New York Times article that raised concerns about the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and business practices associated with Johnson’s Blueprint project. The article highlighted issues surrounding the confidentiality agreements required of Blueprint participants and employees, as well as questions about the project’s transparency and ethical considerations. These revelations gave me pause and made me question the broader implications of Johnson’s approach. However, my doctor friend encouraged me to consider the bigger picture. He reminded me that despite these concerns, the work Johnson is doing could potentially lead to significant research breakthroughs in longevity science. While it’s crucial to maintain ethical standards and transparency in scientific endeavors, it’s also important to recognize that pioneering efforts often face scrutiny and controversy. With this balanced perspective in mind, I’d like to share some insights from our discussion and delve into Bryan Johnson’s intriguing journey.
Who is Bryan Johnson?
Bryan Johnson is a 46-year-old American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and biohacker who has captured public attention with his ambitious quest to reverse aging. Born in Provo, Utah, Johnson’s path to fame began in the tech world. He founded Braintree, a payment processing company that he sold to PayPal for $800 million in 2013. Following this success, he established OS Fund, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage science and technology companies, and Kernel, a neurotechnology company developing brain-computer interfaces.
In recent years, Johnson has become best known for his “Project Blueprint,” an intensive anti-aging regimen that he has invested millions of dollars in developing. His audacious goal? To reduce his biological age to that of an 18-year-old, effectively slowing or even reversing the aging process.
Johnson’s Longevity Efforts
Johnson’s approach to longevity is comprehensive and multifaceted, covering various aspects of health and wellness:
Diet and Nutrition
• Follows a strict plant-based diet, consuming 70 pounds of vegetables monthly
• Practices intermittent fasting, eating all meals between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Maintains a daily caloric intake of 2250 calories
Supplementation
• Takes over 100 supplements daily, including a custom “Blueprint Stack” of 74 compounds
• Supplements include nootropics, adaptogens, and other compounds aimed at improving organ health, cognitive function, and overall longevity
Exercise and Physical Health
• Engages in a daily one-hour workout consisting of 25 exercises
• Maintains specific heart rate zones during exercise for optimal cardiovascular health
• Monitors body composition, aiming for 9.1% body fat and 4.3% bone mass
Medical Interventions and Monitoring
Johnson undergoes an extensive array of medical tests and screenings as part of his Project Blueprint:
• Monthly blood tests to track various biomarkers related to health and aging
• Over 100 hours of MRI scans to assess organ health and detect potential issues early • Regular ultrasounds and colonoscopies
• Heart health assessments, indicating his heart functions at a level comparable to that of a 37-year-old
• Comprehensive health monitoring using advanced imaging techniques and data analysis
Technology and Monitoring
• Uses various devices to monitor his health, including a cap that emits red light into his scalp
• Tracks sleep patterns and even nighttime erections for comprehensive health data
Gene Therapy
Johnson has ventured into the realm of gene therapy in his quest for longevity. He underwent follistatin gene therapy at Minicircle, a biotechnology company based in Próspera, Honduras. This therapy, costing approximately $25,000, aims to increase muscle mass and strength while potentially reducing the effects of aging. By increasing follistatin levels, which inhibits myostatin (a protein that limits muscle growth), Johnson hopes to enhance his physical capabilities and overall health.
The Importance of Community
Despite his intense focus on physical interventions, Johnson has come to recognize the crucial role of relationships and community in longevity. This realization became particularly poignant as his son, Talmage, prepared to leave for college. The Netflix documentary captures emotional moments between Johnson and his son, highlighting the importance of human connection in the pursuit of a longer, more fulfilling life.
Johnson has been actively cultivating communities centered around his “Don’t Die” philosophy. In 2024, he launched the Don’t Die Summit series, hosting events in San Francisco and Singapore, with plans for additional summits in Miami and New York in 2025. These day-long gatherings feature activities like morning raves, keynote speeches, biological age testing, and a longevity “amusement park”. Johnson has also developed a Don’t Die app and introduced the concept of Don’t Die “citizenship,” which involves taking a pledge to “rage against the dying of the light.” As of early 2025, approximately 9,000 people have received their Don’t Die “passports”.
💡 A Holistic Approach to Longevity
Johnson’s experience underscores a vital truth: while cutting-edge medical interventions and lifestyle optimizations can potentially extend lifespan, the quality of that extended life is deeply tied to our relationships and sense of community. Research consistently shows that strong social connections are as significant a predictor of longevity as physical health factors.
For all of us, this serves as a powerful reminder that in our quest for a longer, healthier life, we must not neglect the fundamental human need for love, connection, and belonging. As we design our own “third acts,” whether through radical biohacking or more conventional means, let’s remember that the richness of our relationships and the strength of our communities are as crucial to our longevity and well-being as any pill, diet, or exercise regimen.
Some additional resources to explore!
In our pursuit of a longer life, let’s ensure it’s a life worth living - full of purpose, connection, and joy.
In case you missed it, I published a new episode of my Act Three podcast this week featuring Alicia Johnson - writer, strategist and Ford Model! Alicia also has a new book out 'Buried Treasure,' that blends memoir and practical guidance for trauma recovery through wonder and self-revelation.
This interview was one of my FAVORITES! We covered everything from aging to designing housing for the next stage of life to how play and fun can help us cope with trauma. Alicia is an amazing example of third act thriving. Have a listen!!
All things Alicia: https://www.aliciaellejohnson.com/
Stay tuned for weekly content about travel, health, relationships, identity, spirituality, doing good and starting a new venture as it relates to your third act/the next chapter in your life ✨
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Warm regards,
Cara Gray
Third Act Consultant, CPRC, CEPA™️
P.S. If you want to start planning your third act, set up a time on my calendar for a chat: Schedule a Chat with Cara