Biohacking is only growing in popularity. As the search for longevity continues, a new breed of health pioneers has come to the fore—each with unique biohacks to defy the clock. From cold plunges to supplement stacks, these influencers push the limits of what’s possible, blending science with unconventional methods. But who truly has the key to unlocking eternal youth? In this lighthearted showdown, we’ll pit the most notable figures in the biohacking universe against each other, dissecting their immunities, kryptonite, and signature biohacks. Let the battle for longevity begin!

Choose your Guru: The Biohacking Battle

Bryan Johnson

With a physique carved from relentless self-experimentation and a bank account funding his anti-ageing crusade, Bryan Johnson is the poster child of biohacking excess. A master of supplements and hormone therapy, his obsession with longevity is matched only by his abstinence from fun.

Immunity: his abs are impenetrable.

Kryptonite: the bed is strictly for rest, not recreation.

Biohacks:

• Hormone Optimisation (TRT): Johnson’s hormone regimen (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) is tailored to maintain youthful vitality, muscle mass, and energy.
• Strict Vegan Diet: He follows a meticulously planned vegan diet high in plant-based proteins, ensuring optimal micronutrient intake without animal products¹.
• Data-Driven Health Optimisation: Johnson tracks over 100 biomarkers and uses cutting-edge technology to monitor sleep, skin health, and gut microbiome, adjusting his biohacks accordingly².

Wim Hof

Known for conquering sub-zero temperatures and mastering breathwork, Wim Hof is a walking testament to the potential of mind over matter. His unorthodox practices often leave people questioning his sanity, but his resilience to the cold is undeniable.

Immunity: cold.

Kryptonite: basic communication skills.

Biohacks:

• Cold Therapy (Cold Exposure): Hof promotes daily cold showers, ice baths, or cold plunges to improve circulation, boost immune response, and increase resilience to stress³.
• Breathwork (Wim Hof Method): His breathing techniques combine hyperventilation with breath-holding to oxygenate the body, promote focus, and reduce inflammation⁴.
• Mindset Training: Hof believes the mind can control the body’s autonomic processes, encouraging mental resilience through meditation and visualisation⁵.

Andrew Huberman

With a beard that’s as finely tuned as his muscles, Andrew Huberman is the poster child for biohacking balance. Powered by AG1 and his deep understanding of dopamine regulation, he’s always in control—unless his AG1 runs dry.

Immunity: flawless metabolic integration.

Kryptonite: AG1 withdrawal leaves him scrambling.

Biohacks:

• Dopamine Regulation: Huberman’s biohacks focus on dopamine control, recommending cold exposure, sunlight exposure, and breathwork to maintain optimal dopamine levels and enhance focus⁶.
• AG1 Supplement: Advocates for using Athletic Greens (AG1) as an all-in-one nutrient solution, claiming it enhances gut health, immunity, and overall well-being.
• Mind-Body Optimisation: Huberman suggests combining resistance training with cognitive training, integrating physical exercise with focus-enhancing techniques like controlled breathing and mindfulness^{7 8}.

Peter Attia

The fitness-obsessed physician who lives for VO2 max optimisation and Zone 2 cardio. A fan of experimental drugs like rapamycin, his approach to longevity is as intense as his training sessions.

Immunity: immune to the soothing tones of Huberman’s voice.

Kryptonite: his hair has already reached the end of its lifespan.

Biohacks:

• Zone 2 Training: Attia emphasises low-intensity, long-duration cardio (Zone 2 training) to improve mitochondrial efficiency and endurance⁹.
• VO2 Max Optimisation: Regular high-intensity interval training (Zone 5 training) to increase maximal oxygen uptake and cardiovascular health¹⁰.
• Rapamycin & Metformin: Experimenting with rapamycin for anti-ageing and metformin for metabolic regulation, though with caution due to ongoing debates about their long-term effects^{11 12 13}.

David Sinclair

David Sinclair, the Harvard scientist turned anti-ageing guru, believes cellular immortality lies in boosting NAD+ levels. While his supplement stack changes with the seasons, his drive to slow ageing is constant.

Immunity: suffers no consequences from his relentless supplement experiments.

Kryptonite: an undying obsession with NAD+ that might age him faster.

Biohacks:

• NAD+ Boosting: Sinclair advocates taking supplements like NMN and reservatrol to increase NAD+ levels, which he claims is the secret to cellular repair and longevity^{14 15}.
• Intermittent Fasting: He follows time-restricted eating, fasting for 16-18 hours daily to promote autophagy and support longevity¹⁶.
• Sirtuins Activation: Promotes the use of compounds like resveratrol and metformin to activate sirtuins, enzymes that regulate aging and stress resistance.

Ray Kurzweil

Pioneering futurist Ray Kurzweil blends science, tech, and a pharmacy’s worth of supplements to keep ageing at bay. Best known for curing his diabetes and creating musical instruments as futuristic as his ideas, Kurzweil is a living experiment in human-machine synergy.

Immunity: impervious to AI takeover.

Kryptonite: his hairline refuses to hack itself.

Biohacks:

• Supplements & Stacking: Kurzweil takes a vast array of daily supplements, including CoQ10, reservatrol, and Omega-3s, to combat ageing, support metabolic health, and optimise brain function¹⁷.
• AI-Assisted Health Monitoring: Uses technology to track biomarkers and make data-driven health decisions, advocating for AI integration in health optimisation^{18 19}.
• Low-Carb Diet: He follows a low-glycemic index diet and emphasises controlling blood sugar through nutrition to avoid diabetes and metabolic diseases.

Who will outlive all others and become the champion of longevity?

References

1. https://fortune.com/well/2023/03/19/bryan-johnson-anti-aging-routine-diet-exercise ↩︎
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/bmi-b2577377.html ↩︎
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/wim-hof-method ↩︎
4. https://www.webmd.com/balance/wim-hof-breathing-technique ↩︎
5. https://www.newlife-therapy.co.uk/the-wim-hof-method-and-its-effect-on-mental-wellbeing ↩︎
6. https://ai.hubermanlab.com/s/d3ZtJ6e2 ↩︎
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Ss8sTbFBY&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman ↩︎
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUexrJ-AwLs&ab_channel=BrainMindset ↩︎
9. https://peterattiamd.com/category/exercise/aerobic-zone-2-training ↩︎
10. https://peterattiamd.com/category/exercise/high-intensity-zone-5-training ↩︎
11. https://peterattiamd.com/ ↩︎
12. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rapamycin-potential-longevity-benefits-surge-in-popularity/id1400828889?i=1000629046874 ↩︎
13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LirGq6K1XCg&ab_channel=Dr.Boz[AnnetteBosworth%2CMD] ↩︎
14. https://www.nmn.com/news/the-anti-aging-supplements-dr-david-sinclair-takes-daily-nmn-included ↩︎
15. https://podcastnotes.org/podcast-notes-summaries/david-sinclairs-supplement-regimen-nmn-resveratrol-metformin-vitamin-d-vitamin-k-and-the-science-of-longevity/ ↩︎
16. https://sinclair.hms.harvard.edu/people/david-sinclair ↩︎
17. https://transcend.me/blogs/supplementation/what-supplements-does-ray-kurzweil-take-and-why ↩︎
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7585503/ ↩︎
19. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jun/29/ray-kurzweil-google-ai-the-singularity-is-nearer ↩︎

[NB. All images created using MidJourney]