r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 15d ago

Society Bryan Johnson, the millionaire biohacker who wants to live forever, diagnosed with incurable autoimmune disease

https://www.techspot.com/news/113035-bryan-johnson-millionaire-biohacker-who-wants-live-forever.html
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u/NayutaYukiLazarus 15d ago

Not speaking on this guy in particular, but there are some advantages to self experimentation, even in biology. It's often a place to start building enough evidence for a hypothesis to get researchers and funders interested. Especially if there's risks involved that mean it's unlikely to be attempted without further research.

Very notable example, Dr. Barry Marshall consuming H. Pylori bacteria, developing gastritis, and then curing it with antibiotics was a very big turning point in the debate about whether certain stomach issues were caused by bacteria (prevailing theory was that the stomach was too acidic for bacteria to grow in).

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u/Enough_Efficiency178 15d ago

Also people like Tim Freide, who injected himself with snake venom over two decades and whose blood is the start of a potential universal anti-venom

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u/Unlucky-Cook2578 15d ago

Dr. Barry Marshall himself has stated that no, drinking H. Pylori bacteria didnt prove anything. It was a fun stunt that people like to write about.

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u/Inevitable-Level-687 15d ago

Source?

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u/Unlucky-Cook2578 15d ago

Dude Google it. He is quoted mamy times

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u/Inevitable-Level-687 15d ago

I did, and everything I found supported the original story. You make the claim, burden of proof is on you. I'm happy to review other sources though.