‘Biohacker’ Bryan Johnson microdosing on weight loss jabs to stay young as drugs ‘lower risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s’
MILLIONAIRE ‘biohacker’ Bryan Johnson has embarked on several wacky schemes in a bid to turn back the clock.
They range from infusing his son’s plasma into his blood to injecting a stranger’s fat into his face and following a strict diet and exercise routine that sees him eat his last meal at 11am.
Now, the tech guru has announced he’d started microdosing on weight loss jabs, as part of his “longevity protocol”.
There’s not an ounce of spare fat on the Bryan’s body, but the longevity guru said he would be taking reduced doses of the drugs to reap other benefits.
Bryan wrote in a thread posted to X: “Robust evidence indicates that GLP-1 agonists have a rejuvenating and anti-ageing effect in obese people.
“More recent evidence suggests a potential for GLP-1 agonists in preventing age related disease in non-obese people too.”
GLP-1 drugs – which stands for glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists – work by mimicking a hormone produced by the gut when you eat, which signals to the brain that you’re full and prevents you from overeating.
They also help regulate blood sugar and are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, under names like Ozempic.
Medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro harness the same technology and are prescribed to people for weight loss.
But studies suggest that the drugs may have other uses too.
These may range from dulling cravings for alcohol to lowering the risk of obesity related cancers, warding off heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer’s – and even slowing down ageing.
According to Bryan, “there has been growing scientific data suggesting that these meds are also beneficial for longevity via several mechanisms that are independent from weight loss”.
The longevity guru cited a number of other benefits, such as “anti-inflammatory effects”, “caloric restriction”, improved cardiovascular health, and “cognitive preservation”.
But it’s worth bearing in mind that research into these benefits is still its fledgling era.
While GLP-1s are well studied in people with diabetes or obesity, we don’t yet know how they’ll affect people without these conditions
Not to mention that weight loss drugs can bring on some pretty nasty side effects – even at lower doses.
Bryan’s ‘microdosing protocol’
Bryan announced that he’d be using tirzepatide, often dubbed the ‘King King’ of weight loss jabs.
The drug is available in the UK as Mounjaro and is recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 and at least one weight-related illness.
It was announced earlier this month that the drug will be rolled out on the NHS, but fewer than 10 per cent of eligible patients will initially be able to access – after officials revealed they’ll be dishing them out to be people with the highest needs first.
According to Bryan, tirzepatide’s benefits include “lowering blood glucose, suppressing appetite, weight loss and cardiovascular protection”.
For the next 12 weeks, he will be taking weekly doses of tirzepatide starting at 0.5 milligrams, which is a fraction of the recommended 2.5 milligrams starting dose.
He will be monitoring for any benefits, side effects, and evidence of anti-aging.
“As someone already metabolically healthy and in the lowest 1 per cent of body fat content, my goal isn’t weight loss,” Bryan said of his choice to take smaller amounts of the drug.
“Microdosing allows me to harness the potential longevity benefits of GLP-1RA while minimising side effects and avoiding unwanted weight or muscle loss,” he claimed.
‘Don’t do this yourself’
There’s been a flurry of anecdotal reports of people microdosing weight loss drugs in order to drop pounds while avoiding the side effects.
But experts warn this isn’t something you should do yourself – especially if you aren’t obese and haven’t been prescribed the drugs.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy told Sun Health: “The news that tech entrepreneur, Bryan Johnson, is microdosing weight loss treatment for anti-ageing is worrying and could lead to more people doing the same without prior research – risking well-being.
“Even in small doses, the treatment can be dangerous if taken by people who do not need it – including Bryan Johnson.
“Common side effects such as nausea and digestive issues can impact people, even from micro-dosing weight loss treatments.
“Studies into the benefits of these medications, outside of weight loss, are in their early stages, therefore, I strongly advise that people avoid taking the treatment unless they qualify and it’s to treat obesity.”
Side of effects of microdosing
Dr Grant went on: “Using weight loss medication when it’s not required can increase the likelihood of side effects and may also boost the intensity.
“Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues, fatigue and dizziness.
“However, more serious side effects include pancreatitis, muscle loss and issues with gallbladders.
“Taking these medications can be incredibly dangerous to non-obese individuals and could increase the risk of malnutrition or alter blood sugar levels dramatically.
“Therefore, to be safe, it’s best to discuss weight loss treatment with your GP, they can advise on whether it’s suitable and safe to use.”
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories from people who shed the pounds.
In March 2023, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.
It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.
Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, is now available from pharmacies like Boots.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less and therefore lose weight.
To do this, semaglutide mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.
“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”
Aren’t they diabetes drugs?
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.
But people started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.
Novo Nordisk then developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.
Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.
Can I get them?
Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.
The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.
Both are only available throught specialist weight management services, which means you have to be referred to clinics led by experts.
GPs can’t prescribe them on their own, Dr Watson said.
The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed.
Are there any risks?
Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
What other options are there?
Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) also came onto the market in early 2024.
Like Wegovy, tirzepatide stems from a drug originally designed to treat diabetes.
The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.
It is available with to order with a prescription online from pharmacies including Superdrug and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
It works in a similar way to Wegovy and Saxenda, but is more effective.
Dr Mitra Dutt from LloydsPharmacy says: “Based on clinical trials, 96 per cent of people were able to lose more than five per cent of their body fat using Mounjaro. In similar trials, 84 per cent of people lost more than five per cent of their body weight on Wegovy, and 60 per cent on Saxenda.
“Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, and work to decrease food intake.”
Bryan himself said he’d be on the lookout for particular side effects, including nausea and vomiting, unintentional weight loss and muscle loss.
“Increased satiety could lead to unintentional caloric restriction,” he said.
“I intend to stick to my 10 per cent caloric restriction regimen.
“I will be watching out diligently for subcutaneous fat loss, especially in the face.”
The tech guru added that “there’s for muscle wasting, possibly higher than expected from caloric restriction alone, typically [because] people on GLP-1-RA tend to consume less protein due to appetite loss”.
Bryan said he would perform a number of tests before and after the “intervention” to measure its success.
They include blood sugar and insulin monitoring, measuring markers of inflammation, calculating his biological age and doing MRIs to keep track of fat and muscle mass.
He noted: “Ongoing monitoring and consultation with healthcare professionals are crucial to ensure safety and efficacy.”
'Monumental' fat jabs could level the playing field
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
FIRST things first, let’s just clear up which so-called ‘fat jabs’ are available on the NHS at the moment.
Chances are you’ve heard of Ozempic – the brand name has become synonymous with weight loss jabs, largely thanks to celebrities in the US rumoured to have used it.
But, Ozempic is not available on the NHS for weight loss and is only approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in the UK.
That said, Wegovy, a similar treatment that contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic, is approved for weight-loss on the NHS.
Meanwhile, Mounjaro, dubbed the ‘King Kong’ of skinny jabs – a slightly newer drug with the active ingredient tirzepatide – is also licensed for weight loss in the UK.
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide work to help people lose weight by suppressing appetite.
The causes of obesity are complex, and in many cases genetics are a major factor.
Our genes influence all sorts of things, from how much food we need to eat to feel full to how our brain reacts to food cues.
So, it really is the case that some people feel the urge to eat more often than others.
In the face of giant portion sizes, ultra-processed foods at every turn and on every menu, it can be incredibly difficult for some people – due to their genetics – to maintain a healthy weight.
That’s why these drugs could prove a game-changer. They could help level the playing field.
For those people who are genetically predisposed to being more hungry, these drugs can help realign their urge to eat to that of a person who finds it easier to stay slim.
That said, no medication comes without risk.
So, doctors need to assess each individual on a case-by-case basis to balance any risk versus the benefit for their patients.
In people who live with severe obesity, the likelihood is that the benefits will outweigh the risks, especially if they have other health issues like diabetes or heart disease.
For those of a healthy weight, it’s more likely the risks will outweigh the benefits, experts warn.
Common side effects include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, gallstones, and less common but more severe risks include acute pancreatitis.
While these drugs really could prove monumental in helping to shrink the nation’s waistline, it is vital that they come with support and education to help improve people’s diet and lifestyle, putting movement and exercise at the heart of any prescription.