Sun Jan 12 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Tech Billionaire Abandons Anti-Aging Drug After Side Effects Outweigh Benefits
**San Francisco, CA** – Bryan Johnson, the 47-year-old tech entrepreneur and subject of the upcoming Netflix documentary “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever,” has discontinued his five-year regimen of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant drug he’d been using in his quest for longevity.
Johnson, who reportedly spends $2 million annually on his ambitious anti-aging project, admitted that the potential benefits of the drug, which is typically used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients, were outweighed by significant side effects. His regime was considered the most aggressive use of rapamycin amongst those experimenting with its longevity potential.
“On September 28th, I decided to stop rapamycin, ending almost 5 years of experimentation with this molecule for its longevity potential,” Johnson stated. He cited preclinical and clinical research indicating that prolonged rapamycin use can negatively impact lipid metabolism and lead to insulin and glucose intolerance.
While studies have shown rapamycin to extend the lifespan of mice, Johnson and his team concluded that the long-term risks for humans outweigh any potential benefits. This decision comes amidst his ongoing pursuit of biological age reversal, which includes a meticulously planned diet, exercise regime, and other advanced medical procedures, such as a recent total plasma exchange.
Johnson’s journey highlights the complexities and uncertainties of experimental anti-aging treatments. His experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential downsides of pursuing extreme measures in the quest for extended lifespan. The Netflix documentary will likely provide further insight into his methods and the rationale behind this recent change in his approach.
First Piper 