Bryan Johnson, the 47-year-old tech entrepreneur known for his ambitious quest to reverse ageing, has halted his use of rapamycin, a controversial drug he had taken for nearly five years. Johnson, who spends $2 million annually on anti-ageing diagnostics and treatments, said the decision was made after assessing the drug's side effects against its limited benefits.
Rapamycin, an immunosuppressant typically prescribed to organ transplant patients to prevent rejection, has been used off-label by some seeking to extend their lifespan. Studies have shown that the drug can improve the health span of mice, and Johnson had been consuming 13 milligrams biweekly as part of what he described as the “most aggressive rapamycin protocol of anyone in the industry.” However, he announced in late September that he had discontinued the regimen.
“Despite the immense potential from pre-clinical trials, my team and I concluded that the benefits of lifelong dosing of rapamycin do not justify the hefty side effects,” Johnson said.
Johnson explained that prolonged use of rapamycin had led to side effects, including occasional skin and soft tissue infections, abnormal fat levels in his blood, elevated blood sugar, and a higher resting heart rate.
“With no other underlying causes identified, we suspected rapamycin,” he said, adding that dosage adjustments did not mitigate the issues.
Rapamycin’s immunosuppressive properties have raised concerns among medical experts. Dr Oliver Zolman, a longevity specialist who works with Johnson, noted in a Netflix documentary about the entrepreneur, "Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever", that the drug could cause severe bacterial infections, including pneumonia, cellulitis, and pharyngitis.
Johnson’s departure from rapamycin comes amid ongoing evolution in his approach to anti-ageing. Known for his meticulously designed regimen involving strict dietary controls, sleep optimisation, and intensive exercise, Johnson remains committed to exploring experimental therapies.
Earlier this year, he revealed undergoing a total plasma exchange, replacing his body’s fluid with pure albumin, a blood plasma protein. This process differed from a 2023 procedure where he swapped blood with his teenage son, whom he controversially referred to as his “blood boy.”
“Longevity research around experimental compounds is constantly evolving, necessitating ongoing, close observation of research and my biomarkers,” Johnson said.
Johnson rose to prominence after selling his payment processing company to eBay in his 30s, amassing a substantial fortune that now funds his full-time mission to combat ageing. He gained widespread attention for consuming 54 pills for breakfast and adhering to an extreme lifestyle aimed at prolonging his life.
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