Bryan Johnson has built a public profile around trying to slow aging, measure his body in extreme detail, and push longevity science beyond normal wellness advice.
Now, the biohacker says he is facing a chronic autoimmune disease that directly challenges that mission. People reported that Johnson, 48, revealed he has autoimmune gastritis, a chronic condition in which antibodies attack cells in the stomach lining.
TMZ reported that Johnson later discussed the diagnosis in an interview, saying the disease had been progressing unnoticed for years.
Johnson Said His Stomach Is “Eating Itself”
View this post on Instagram
Johnson announced the diagnosis in a July 3 Instagram post, using the blunt phrase “my stomach is eating itself” to describe what is happening.
People reported that his diagnosis followed years of low ferritin levels and stomach biopsies that showed early signs of autoimmune gastritis. He said the condition is currently localized to the acid-producing lining of his stomach, with the rest of the stomach still spared.
TMZ reported that Johnson said he can no longer properly absorb iron, B12, and other micronutrients. People also noted that autoimmune atrophic gastritis can raise the risk of stomach cancer, citing medical guidance from Cleveland Clinic.
He Is Treating the Diagnosis Like a Research Challenge
Johnson said current medical standards treat autoimmune gastritis as something to manage rather than resolve. He told followers that he and his team plan to try to “solve” the condition using tools tied to AI, biotechnology, immune analysis, and custom-built biological interventions.
TMZ reported that Johnson framed the diagnosis as another reason to push harder against death rather than step back from his longevity work. He also joked that critics who think he has been “playing god” can come laugh at his funeral.
Johnson is known for Project Blueprint, the strict longevity routine featured in Netflix’s documentary Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever. People reported that his public regimen includes detailed testing, exercise, supplements, and experimental treatments, with Johnson spending about $2 million a year on his health.
Johnson has connected the diagnosis to a longer health history. People reported that he blamed a childhood diet heavy in sugary cereal, soda, and fast food, as well as the stress of becoming a young father and building a business while dealing with depression.