Bryan Johnson’s ‘Secret Pill’ for Anti-Ageing Has a Dark Side? Tech Millionaire Reveals How THIS Experiment Backfired

Bryan Johnson, who recently made headlines slamming India’s air pollution during his visit, has now revealed a big shocker. The tech millionaire—famous for spending millions of dollars on extreme biohacking methods to reverse ageing and extend lifespan—has admitted that one of his key anti-ageing experiments not only failed, but may have sped up his ageing process instead of slowing it down.

Let’s break down what happened to Bryan Johnson and why this so-called “secret pill” could have dangerous side effects—even for those who follow science-backed protocols.

What Was Bryan Johnson’s Anti-Ageing Experiment That Backfired?

In his ongoing quest to reduce his biological age and optimise every function of his body, Bryan Johnson had been experimenting with a drug called Rapamycin. Originally developed in the 1960s from a soil sample collected on Easter Island, Rapamycin was first used for its antifungal and immunosuppressant properties, particularly in organ transplant patients. In a YouTube video uploaded on his official channel, Bryan Johnson reveals how this experiment took an unexpected turn.

Watch Here:

But in the world of anti-ageing science, Rapamycin became famous after a 2009 study showed that it significantly extended the lifespan of mice, even when treatment began in old age. This led to more research into its potential in humans, and many biohackers and longevity experts began cautiously using it in low, carefully monitored doses.

Bryan Johnson did the same—adjusting dosage, frequency and measuring health markers with his team. Yet despite his structured approach, something wasn’t right.

Bryan Johnson Reveals Side Effects of Rapamycin

Bryan Johnson shared that he began experiencing unexpected and persistent side effects while taking Rapamycin. These included:

• Painful mouth ulcers and canker sores
• Disrupted cholesterol levels
• Higher resting heart rate
• Slower wound healing
• Blood glucose spikes
• Poor sleep quality

Even though he suspected Rapamycin was the cause, he continued the regimen, hoping benefits would eventually outweigh the temporary downsides. But after many months of tracking, he decided to stop the drug—and within weeks, his health markers improved dramatically.

His resting heart rate went back to normal, glucose levels stabilised, wounds healed faster, and the mouth sores disappeared. It became clear that, for his body, Rapamycin wasn’t doing what it was supposed to.

Is Rapamycin Really the Key to Longevity—or a Risk? New Study Suggests the Opposite

Just one month after Johnson stopped taking Rapamycin, a new preprint study sent shockwaves through the biohacking community. It analysed multiple epigenetic clocks and found that Rapamycin may actually increase the pace of ageing in humans. This directly contradicts its reputation as an “anti-ageing miracle drug.”

For Johnson, the timing was surreal. A drug he took to slow down ageing may have had the exact opposite effect—speeding it up instead. While he admits the study could have limitations and the science may still evolve, the message is clear: even well-studied compounds like Rapamycin can have unpredictable effects.

But Johnson isn’t discouraged. In his own words, he says, “The point is not to stop trying new things—it’s to be transparent, share everything, and keep learning together.”