Biohacker who wants to ‘live forever’ shares major impact GLP-1 had on his body

It might sound like a plot pulled from a cautionary fable, but “biohacker” Bryan Johnson believes he can become the first human to “live forever”.

Rather than relying on anything like the hidden, aging portrait from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Johnson is chasing longevity by obsessively measuring—and then manipulating—the hormones, chemicals, and other markers that course through his body.

The wellness devotee has tested a huge range of treatments, protocols, and supplements in an effort to reduce what he calls his “biological age,” which he says is five years younger than his real age of 48. But after all that experimentation, he’s also turned his attention to a newer wave of medications—GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.

After trying the GLP-1-based injections, Johnson said: “If you have a food addiction problem that’s impossible to solve, a GLP-1 solves it.” He also noted, however, that he experienced some downsides from the now widely used drugs.

Speaking on the Full SEND Podcast, he explained: “There are some side effects. For example, the dose I’m on raises my resting heart rate by two or three beats, which is a big deal for me, but the benefits are great.”

Even with those drawbacks, Johnson appeared strongly impressed by the medications. The drugs were initially created for diabetes treatment, but they’ve since become associated with a broader set of potential health advantages beyond blood sugar control.

Discussing what he saw in his own health metrics, he said: “GLP-1s are the first legit longevity drugs”

GLP-1 medications have become one of the most high-profile developments in modern medicine in recent decades. They work by mimicking Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone involved in signaling fullness.

By amplifying that signal, they can curb hunger and improve blood sugar regulation. Johnson has argued that the effects may extend even to people who don’t have underlying health issues.

“I am as healthy as a person can be and I still benefit from GLP-1,” he said. He also pointed to research suggesting benefits that go beyond the personal longevity trials he’s become known for.

One early paper in Frontiers of Endocrinology examined impacts beyond the pancreas and weight-related outcomes, reporting that GLP-1 activity may influence multiple organs while also supporting weight loss and glucose control.

According to that research, GLP-1 drugs may also help lower brain inflammation, encourage nerve growth, and support heart function.

Johnson said his own experience aligned with some of those findings, telling the podcast: “It has metabolic effects and good neuroprotective effects.

“If you compare my blood glucose management to an 18 year old’s, I’m better than 99 out of 100 18 year olds.”