March 2nd 2024.
The concept of mortality can be a daunting one for most, but for James Miller, it is simply a limitation that can be overcome. As he enters his final days, the 57-year-old economics professor from Smith College in Massachusetts has a plan in place to defy death itself. He intends to travel to Scottsdale, Arizona, where his brain will be removed and cryogenically frozen in liquid nitrogen, in the hopes that one day, when medical technology advances, he can be restored to life.
While cryogenics may seem like something out of a science fiction novel, for Professor Miller, it is a simple cost-benefit exercise. He explains, "Most people's initial reaction is 'yuck!' But when you think about it, there is nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. It could mean just a few more years of life, or it could mean a million years. The only limit to mortality is the eventual heat death of the universe."
As a transhumanist biohacker, Professor Miller believes that the key to avoiding extinction as a species is through merging with technology. However, he fears that he may not live long enough to see this become a reality. That is why he has chosen to pursue cryogenics as his "Plan B" option. His ultimate goal is to postpone death indefinitely through biohacking.
To reach this goal, Professor Miller follows a strict regimen of supplements and dietary restrictions. Each day, he takes a variety of supplements, some to prevent nutrient deficiencies caused by his low carb diet, and others to mimic the health benefits of fasting and stabilize his blood sugar levels. One of these supplements is Rapamycin, an immunosuppressant that has been shown to increase lifespan in clinical trials on mice. Despite its potentially harmful side effects, Professor Miller is willing to take the risk. "If I were younger, I wouldn't experiment," he admits. "But at 57, I am more vulnerable to diseases, and I may not live to see 'longevity escape velocity,' so I believe the benefits outweigh the risks."
Professor Miller's approach to biohacking is heavily influenced by the research of David Sinclair, a professor of biology and genetics at Harvard. Sinclair's work builds upon the theory of cellular senescence, which suggests that as we age, more of our cells stop dividing and instead accumulate as senescent cells, creating damaging inflammation in our bodies. To combat this, Sinclair popularized the practice of autophagy, or "self-eating," in which we deprive our cells of glucose to force them to feed off of cellular material and reduce the build-up of toxins. This approach has been shown to significantly extend life expectancy in various organisms.
By following a plant-based, low-carb, low-protein, and high-healthy-fat diet and consuming only 1,100 calories per day, Professor Sinclair maintains a youthful appearance at 54 years old. His extreme quest for youth has gained him a large following on social media, with many people eager to learn his secrets for inducing and sustaining autophagy.
Biohacking may seem like a trend reserved for the wealthy and famous, but it is a growing industry in the UK as well. Joe Bains, a former stressed-out and overweight IT consultant, has transformed his life through biohacking. By following a strict diet and exercise routine, he has lost weight, improved his health, and reduced his stress levels.
In conclusion, the concept of mortality may be daunting, but for some, it is simply a limitation to be overcome. Whether through cryogenics or biohacking, people like James Miller and David Sinclair are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be mortal. While the ultimate goal of immortality may still be out of reach, the advancements in medical technology and the growing popularity of biohacking offer hope for a longer, healthier life.
As James Miller nears the end of his life, he has made plans to ensure that death will not be the end for him. He has chosen to travel to Scottsdale, Arizona, where his brain will be removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen upon his passing. His hope is that, in the future, medical technology will advance enough to bring him back to life. While some may find this idea strange or unsettling, James, being an economics professor at Smith College, sees it as a simple cost-benefit analysis. "Most people's initial reaction is 'yuck!'," James tells Metro, "but when you think about it, there is nothing to lose and possibly a lot to gain. It may only mean a few extra years, but it could also mean an eternity." He firmly believes that the only limit to mortality is the eventual heat death of the universe.
As a transhumanist biohacker, Professor Miller holds the belief that human beings can only avoid extinction by merging with technology and evolving into a new species. However, he is worried that he will not live long enough to see this happen. That is why he has made his plans to have his brain frozen. But in order for this plan to work, he must first reach the "longevity escape velocity" - a theoretical point where life expectancy exceeds the rate of aging. This could be achieved through advancements in medical technology, such as a cure for all fatal diseases. "If I can just make it to that point," James explains, "I have the potential to live much longer. I am convinced that we will find a cure for aging within the next twenty years."
James's ultimate goal is to postpone death indefinitely through biohacking, rather than relying on his backup plan of having his brain frozen. At 57 years old, he does not fit the stereotype of a biohacker, but he is determined to do whatever he can to improve his chances of living a longer, healthier life. This includes his daily routine of taking a variety of supplements, such as baby aspirin, ginseng, and multivitamins. Some of these supplements are to make up for nutrient deficiencies caused by his low carb diet, while others mimic the benefits of fasting and help stabilize his blood sugar levels.
One of the supplements that James takes is Rapamycin, an immunosuppressant that has been shown to increase lifespan in clinical trials on mice. It is considered to be the biohacking community's greatest hope for a quick win against aging, but it does have potential side effects. However, this does not deter James from taking it once a week. "Sometimes it causes dental sores," he explains, "but that just reassures me that it's having an effect on my cells. If I were younger, I might not be as willing to experiment, but at 57, I am more vulnerable to cancer and I may not live long enough to see longevity escape velocity. To me, the benefits of biohacking outweigh the risks."
The idea of stabilizing low blood sugar levels to reduce the risk of cancer that comes with aging is a popular practice among middle-aged biohackers, thanks to the influential research of Professor David Sinclair from Harvard. His work builds on the theory of cellular senescence, which states that as we age, more of our cells stop dividing and instead start to build up toxins in our tissues, leading to inflammation and an increased risk of cancer. Fasting and dietary restriction have been shown to significantly extend lifespan in various animals.
By taking on the bulk of his calories in the early evening and skipping breakfast and often lunch, Professor Sinclair has popularized the concept of autophagy, which is the process of "self-eating" in order to get rid of damaged cells and toxins in the body. He only consumes 1,100 calories per day, focusing on plant-based, low-carb, low-protein, and high-healthy fat foods. And it seems to be working - at 54 years old, he looks much younger. He has a large following on social media, and many anti-aging biohackers look to him for tips on how to induce and maintain autophagy.
Biohacking is not just limited to the rich, famous, and American, it is a growing practice in the UK as well. Six years ago, Joe Bains was an overweight IT consultant, working long hours and eating unhealthy snacks on the go. But after learning about biohacking, he made changes to his lifestyle and diet, and now he is healthier and happier. This just goes to show that anyone can benefit from biohacking, and it is not just reserved for a select few.
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