“Longevity Science” – Medical Breakthrough or Snake Oil Scam?

One of the most intriguing emerging trends in the health and wellness field is the concept of “longevity science,” or the study of how to prolong human life – with some believing human beings could one day achieve immortality.

Longevity science, sometimes called aging science, gerontology, or “biohacking,” has become immensely popular on social media in recent years. Researchers in the field focus on understanding the biological processes underlying aging and extending human lifespan and “healthspan,” or the period of life during which a person remains generally healthy and free from serious disease or disability.

Longevity science aims not only to extend the number of years a person lives but also to enhance the quality of life in old age by delaying or preventing age-related diseases and disabilities. Advocates say the field has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing insights into how we can maintain health and vitality as we age.

One of the most popular – and extreme – “biohackers” is 46-year-old Bryan Johnson, a wealthy venture capitalist who has gone viral for his “transformation” over the past six years. His objective isn’t simply to remove wrinkles or regrow hair, but to actually reverse the biological age of every body part, from his organs to his teeth.

Johnson reportedly spends more than two million dollars a year on efforts to reverse the aging process – an effort he claims has been so successful that his phone’s facial ID software no longer recognizes him. Photos of Johnson do indeed appear to show an astonishing change in his appearance, with the entrepreneur looking significantly younger today than he did a half decade ago.

Johnson launched his anti-aging crusade under the name “Project Blueprint” in 2021. In addition to an ultra-strict diet and sleep schedule, Johnson has also taken more radical measures, such as accepting regular blood transfusions from his son – just one task that his team of 30 doctors attends to.

A 2023 Bloomberg feature piece exploded Johnson into the national spotlight, with a subsequent Forbes article calling him “the Kardashian of longevity.” Since then, Johnson has been featured on a number of leading health and wellness podcasts and YouTube channels. His X account boasts nearly 250,000 followers, to whom he regularly shares content about his efforts to reverse the aging process.

However, despite Johnson’s apparently astonishing results, longevity science is still an emerging field, and not everyone is convinced of its efficacy. Some have accused Johnson of perpetrating a scam to sell supplements and other wellness products – which Johnson advertises on his website. (He even sells bottles of olive oil for $30 called “snake oil” in an apparent jest at his critics.)

Part of the complicated debate surrounding longevity science comes from the wide range of practices, drugs, and medical procedures that make up the field.

In general, there are three different approaches to longevity: simple lifestyle changes, which are commonly agreed upon as beneficial; aggressive vitamin supplements and so-called “miracle drugs,” which are more theoretical; and lastly, more controversial procedures that sometimes border on quackery.

The first category, lifestyle changes, is the most widely accepted method of increasing longevity. Some of the most common recommendations include getting enough quality sleep (7-9 hours a night for most people) eating a balanced diet, and exercising for at least 30 minutes per day.

The second category involves the prescription of certain medications and supplements. On Johnson’s Project Blueprint website, he lists 30 separate vitamin pills that he takes daily and a litany of additional supplements. His specific mix, commonly known as a “stack,” has not been independently verified as beneficial, but most longevity plans call for large amounts of supplemental vitamins.

In addition, longevity experts have focused on several prescription drugs. According to The Washington Post, “ A bombshell study in 2009 found that rapamycin extended the lives of elderly mice by as much as 14 percent, the first time a drug had been shown to help a mammal live longer.” Rapamycin has not been approved by the FDA to help people generally live longer, but remains a staple of the longevity community.

The third category is the most controversial, and includes practices like Johnson taking blood transfusions from his son. As noted by The Guardian in 2005, the University of California at Berkley found that when an old mouse and a young mouse were surgically conjoined, the old mouse “had a younger profile.” This led researchers to theorize that replacing old blood with young blood would be as effective as an “oil change for a car.”

In 2017, longevity startup Ambrosia had “hundreds of clients, with a median age of 60,” paying $8,000 per session to have their plasma removed and replaced with “young blood.” The FDA has asserted that such procedures have no medical benefits and may cause harm. Nevertheless, a 2023 study of mice found that older mice lived “6 to 9 percent longer” when connected to the blood vessels of younger mice.

Since the dawn of recorded history, human beings have been obsessed with the idea of extending life and achieving immortality. Scam artists have long sought to capitalize on this proclivity, selling bogus products promising to reverse aging and prolong life.

However, as medical science continues to advance, there are some legitimate reasons to believe that anti-aging breakthroughs could be near at hand – or already here. Though longevity science is still an emerging field, developments in it are worth paying attention to in the years ahead.

Andrew Shirley is a veteran speechwriter and AMAC Newsline columnist. His commentary can be found on X at @AA_Shirley.