Living Forever: From High-Tech Biohacking to the "Good Nature" Solution for Longevity

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Is it possible to reverse aging or even "not die"? Signal Shift explores the rapidly growing world of transhumanism and longevity. We dive into the extreme lifestyle of tech billionaire Bryan Johnson, whose "Don't Die" documentary and upcoming summits are sparking global conversations about plasma exchanges and experimental gene therapy.

However, living longer doesn't always require a $2 million annual budget. The team discusses the rise of accessible "Hyper Wellness" centers offering cryotherapy and IV drips, as well as the profound "Good Nature" research suggesting that simply touching forest soil can boost your immune system in 28 days. From the ethics of cryopreservation—where you can freeze your body or even just your head for future revival—to the emerging focus on women's health longevity, we ask: if science is the new God, what happens to the soul?

This episode was originally published on 16 Jan 2025 and the original webpage can be found here.

The Extremes: Transhumanism and Cryonics

The discussion centers on the desire to extend life indefinitely through science and technology.

• Bryan Johnson's "Blueprint": Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson spends $2 million a year on a regime that includes over 50 supplements, plasma exchanges, and experimental gene therapy. His documentary, Don't Die, was recently released on Netflix.

• Cryonics: Raakhee highlights cryopreservation, the science of freezing a body upon death with the hope of future revival.

• The "Head-Only" Option: It is possible to preserve just DNA, tissue, or even just a head, which is a more affordable option based on the belief that future technology could clone a new body.

• Pet Cloning and Preservation: Technology already exists to clone pets, and companies like the Cryonics Institute now offer pet cryopreservation.

The Longevity Economy: Clinics and Centers

Wellness is moving from passive relaxation to proactive, clinical longevity.

• Mainstream Access: Clinics like Restore Hyper Wellness and Next Health are expanding rapidly. Next Health plans to have 150 centers by 2027, while Restore aims for 500 locations.

• High-End Services: These centers offer once-exclusive treatments like cryotherapy, IV drips, and executive physicals that can cost up to $15,000.

• Infrared Saunas: Sue noted the surging popularity of infrared saunas, observing long lines for them even at traditional Nordic spas.

The "Good Nature" Alternative

Lana introduces a contrast to high-tech biohacking through the "Good Nature" approach advocated by Oxford professor Kathy Willis.

• Soil and the Microbiome: Studies show that children playing in forest soil for just 28 days showed significant improvements in beneficial gut bacteria and immune markers.

• Micro-Interventions: Simply putting your hands in soil for 20 seconds and rinsing without soap can provide health benefits.

• Indoor Plants: If outdoor access is limited, even a single spider plant can begin to improve the atmosphere of a home.

  
  

The Future of Women's Longevity

The co-hosts identify a gap in the current longevity movement, which is often dominated by wealthy men.

• Ovarian Health: Sue highlights that ovarian health is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of female longevity.

• New Summits: Raakhee mentions the emergence of the first Women’s Health Longevity Summits, featuring experts like Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Mindy Pelz.

• Community and Relationships: A 64-year-old woman recently outranked Bryan Johnson on a longevity leaderboard; she credited her health to strong social relationships with her 11 grandchildren rather than extreme medical interventions.

  
  

Ethical and Spiritual Questions

The episode concludes by questioning the "Science is God" perspective of the longevity movement.

• The "Meat Suit": Lana points out that biological preservation only addresses the "meat suit" (the physical body), ignoring the soul, essence, or personality.

• Consciousness: The co-hosts grapple with what happens to human consciousness or the soul during long-term cryopreservation.

*Disclaimer: The text in this post is AI-generated from an original video podcast - data sources, references and the episode transcript can be found here.