Bryan Johnson says he has incurable autoimmune gastritis
The longevity entrepreneur’s disclosure has drawn sympathy and criticism from the online wellness world, The Verge reported.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Bryan Johnson, the entrepreneur and high-profile longevity experimenter, said he has an incurable autoimmune disease. The disclosure matters because Johnson has built his public identity around intensive health tracking, strict routines and a stated goal of extending his life as far as possible.
Johnson announced on X on June 30 that he has autoimmune gastritis, according to The Verge. Victoria Song of The Verge reported that the news quickly led to online commentary, including sympathy from some readers and criticism from parts of the wellness-influencer community.
Johnson is widely known for turning his body into a public health experiment. The Verge reported that his regimen includes more than 100 supplements, regular blood draws, wearable-based tracking, a plant-based diet and a tight sleep schedule.
Song also noted that some of Johnson’s practices go beyond common wellness routines. The Verge reported that those have included plasma transfer from his teenage son, a detail that has helped make Johnson a frequent target of online jokes and skepticism.
What autoimmune gastritis is
According to The Verge, autoimmune gastritis, or AIG, is a difficult-to-diagnose condition in which the immune system attacks the cells responsible for producing stomach acid. The condition can reduce nutrient absorption and may raise the risk of stomach cancer, The Verge reported.
Johnson’s diagnosis cuts against the image many people associate with his public project: a wealthy biohacker using testing, data and protocols to fight aging. The Verge reported that Johnson has spent a fortune on that effort and that his approach was the subject of a Netflix documentary.
The reaction was divided. Song wrote that public announcements of incurable illness often bring broad sympathy, but Johnson’s news also prompted a wave of “I told you so” responses from wellness personalities who have criticized his methods.
The Verge cited a wellness influencer who posts as organicbunny as one example of that backlash. The influencer referred to Johnson’s reported spending on biohacking while responding to the diagnosis, according to The Verge.
Song’s column framed the episode as a reminder that mockery of biohackers can miss part of the reason people pursue strict health routines in the first place. The Verge described Johnson as the internet’s most famous biohacker and said his diagnosis has renewed debate over what optimization can and cannot control.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.