Understanding the Optimizers in Gaming

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter that dives into the latest gadgets and health trends that claim to revolutionize your life.

Bryan Johnson, widely recognized for his quest for immortality, recently revealed that he has an incurable autoimmune disease. This announcement, made on June 30th, ignited a flurry of reactions online.

For those unfamiliar with Johnson, he’s dedicated his life to the pursuit of eternal youth. This isn’t just talk; there’s a Netflix documentary showcasing his extravagant efforts to turn himself into a living experiment focused on longevity. His regimen includes over a hundred supplements, regular blood tests, wearable tech, and popular health practices like a plant-based diet and strict sleep schedules. He even employs some unconventional methods, such as plasma transfers from his teenage son. Johnson has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a challenging condition where the immune system attacks the stomach’s acid-producing cells, leading to nutrient absorption issues and a heightened risk of stomach cancer. While public figures often receive sympathy when announcing serious health issues, Johnson’s case has also drawn criticism from wellness influencers who seem to revel in his predicament.

One influencer, known as organicbunny, commented in an Instagram reel, “This is the guy that spends $2 million a year biohacking his way to immortality.” She speculated that his use of Botox and GLP-1 medications might have contributed to his diagnosis, although her claims are based on selective studies rather than any real insight into Johnson’s health. “You cannot inject health into your body, and sadly this biohacker Bryan is yet another example,” she added. Another TikTok influencer suggested that Johnson’s intense focus on health might have conditioned his nervous system to perceive everything as a threat.

Another TikTok user questioned Johnson’s data-driven approach to health, pointing out that while he follows a plant-based diet and practices diligent sun protection, he might be overlooking essential elements like nature and a varied diet, including red meat. They warned that neglecting these could lead to negative outcomes, even if everything appears perfect on paper.

Speculation about the causes of Johnson’s autoimmune disease ranges from stress and genetics to more far-fetched theories. Johnson himself has shared that he believes his AIG stems from a childhood diet high in sugary cereals. His approach to health often feels like a blend of Silicon Valley ambition and performative self-care, where every detail is meticulously documented. For instance, during the Enhanced Games, he faced ridicule for his sun goggles and UV parasol, and he recently made headlines for discussing his girlfriend’s vaginal microbiome.

I’ve had my share of laughs at Johnson’s expense, including a mention in a seasonal list. However, in the rush to create content around his diagnosis, many wellness influencers seem to overlook the fundamental reason people pursue health optimization.

I don’t resonate with Johnson’s extreme longevity goals; I look forward to the day I can leave this life behind, as the knowledge of our mortality makes each moment more valuable. Yet, Johnson’s journey toward understanding his health mirrors my own decade-long struggle with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. I suspect many others will embark on similar paths as health and wearable technology become more prevalent.

It often begins with a small realization that something isn’t right, or perhaps a doctor’s suggestion to lose weight due to suboptimal results in an annual check-up. This leads to the purchase of a basic fitness tracker. For some, this is where the health journey ends, as the underlying issue resolves itself. However, for many, the data doesn’t provide clear answers, and the quest for health perfection can easily take over.

In his detailed account, Johnson mentions that doctors dismissed his low iron levels for years because he didn’t meet the criteria for anemia, despite taking iron supplements. It wasn’t until a biopsy that he and his team of over 30 doctors identified AIG. This lengthy journey of self-observation is something anyone with a chronic illness can relate to.

In my case, my HbA1C and fasting glucose levels never indicated insulin resistance, and slightly elevated liver enzymes were attributed to high cholesterol and medications. Finding the right treatment involved extensive testing, numerous discussions with doctors, and a relentless pursuit of answers. Throughout this process, I experimented with various wearables to understand my brain fog, persistent fatigue, and why conventional advice for long-distance running didn’t work for me. Ultimately, it all boils down to that nagging feeling that something is off, with no one able to provide clarity.

Critiques of Johnson’s biohacking methods are valid. Lifestyle changes can’t completely override genetics, and there’s a risk of optimizing to the point of diminishing returns on quality of life. At the core of optimization culture lies a very human fear of death. Ironically, science and data often give us the illusion that every health issue can be measured, identified, and resolved. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Health isn’t a race with a finish line. Wearables may offer health scores to simplify data, but achieving high scores in sleep, cardio, or longevity doesn’t guarantee a long life. We’ve all heard stories of those who did everything right yet still faced serious health issues or unexpected tragedies.

It’s a harsh reality, but health is a lifelong journey, and doctors have been advising us on the “right” approach for ages: eat well, sleep enough, and exercise regularly. Beyond that, luck, genetics, and medical intervention play significant roles. While biohacking, wearables, and health tech can be beneficial, especially for those with chronic conditions or those seeking healthier habits, we risk losing sight of the fundamental reasons many of us turn to these tools.

The goal of using these tools should be to find balance—a blend of mindfulness and ease that allows for a fulfilling life. This balance will look different for everyone, but the key is developing discernment. It’s about knowing when to question wellness trends and marketing, understanding that enjoying a slice of birthday cake is part of life, while also making healthier choices. It’s recognizing our shared fear of death and that some health optimization stems from a desire to control that fear, but ultimately, a joyful life requires letting go of the illusion that we can control anything about death.

For me, that balance includes medications, sensible use of wearables, and, when my health improves, plenty of running. I’m not aiming for the most quantified life, as that approach hasn’t been great for my mental health. For Bryan Johnson, his response to his diagnosis has been to sequence a million of his immune cells in search of a cure for AIG. I genuinely admire his determination, though I think many would agree that we could do without the updates on his personal life.