Celebrity biohacker Bryan Johnson revealed Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis, a condition he described as his “stomach is eating itself.” Johnson, known for his extreme longevity experiments and a pro-Trump stance, stated in an Instagram video that the diagnosis is connected to a previous autoimmune thyroid disease he received at age 21.
“It is true. My stomach is eating itself, and here is why that makes me excited,” Johnson said in the video. He explained that while autoimmune thyroid disease was diagnosed decades before he began his current regimen, the new condition is a manifestation of the same underlying autoimmune tendency. He referenced a clinical term, thyrogastric syndrome, which describes the link between thyroid and stomach autoimmunity, first identified in the 1960s.
Johnson, 48, has dedicated significant resources and personal effort to slowing his aging process, a journey chronicled in the Netflix documentary “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.” His “Make America Healthy Again” mantra aligns with his public support for figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he has backed to improve national health.
He expressed excitement about the new diagnosis, viewing it as an opportunity to further his research into health and longevity. “We are going to try to solve that,” he stated, detailing plans to sequence one million of his immune cells to identify specific targets for potential treatments. Johnson aims to make these findings reproducible to assist others suffering from similar conditions.
Autoimmune gastritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach lining. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness after eating. The condition affects up to 2% of the U.S. population. Johnson linked his longtime hypothyroidism to this newly identified autoimmune gastritis, noting that the thyroid and stomach are closely related in autoimmune disorders.
Johnson, a former Mormon and biotech entrepreneur, has reportedly spent millions on his longevity pursuits, utilizing methods ranging from supplements to artificial intelligence. While his efforts have drawn both praise and ridicule, he has maintained a focus on his personal quest to extend his life, expressing a desire to live “multiple lifetimes” with his son.