Bryan Johnson, the billionaire behind "Don't Die" longevity company Kernel Holding SA, has embarked on a five-and-a-half-hour livestreamed psychedelic experience that defies the typical introspective nature of psilocybin mushrooms. The experiment, which took place at a licensed psilocybin center in Oregon and featured Johnson's 20-year-old son Talmage, journalist Ashlee Vance, DJ Grimes, and even Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff, has sparked both interest and concern among observers.
Johnson's livestream, which has garnered over 1.1 million views, marked the second part of his investigation into the potential benefits of psilocybin for longevity. Prior to consuming the mushrooms, Johnson measured his brain activity with a $50,000 helmet produced by Kernel and took saliva samples and temperature readings. The experience involved drinking more than five grams of powdered mushrooms mixed with lemon juice, which led to a range of reactions from observers.
Some experts have praised the experiment as an opportunity to demystify psychedelics and showcase their potential benefits, while others have expressed concerns that the livestream may lead to fragmented attention and performance stress. Rayyan Zafar, a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College London, noted that Johnson's setup "speaks more to ego enrichment than ego dissolution" and that such experiences are often best held with an introspective and internal focus.
Meanwhile, billionaire Benioff joined the stream to discuss longevity with David Friedberg, cohost of the All-In podcast linked to the Trump administration. While Friedberg highlighted some real science behind psychedelics' potential rejuvenating effects, Benioff's comment about a "sponsorship of a sleep mask" raised eyebrows and suggested a logical endpoint for Johnson's campaign: selling more products.
Critics have also pointed out that the absence of many actual scientists on the livestream is notable. Colette Schmitt, founder of Neurodelics and Decriminalize Nature Philadelphia, warned about the dangers of high suggestibility meeting low scientific literacy in the psychedelic movement. As the trip subsided, Grimes played an "unhinged" DJ set, and Johnson's father, Richard, joined the broadcast with Talmage.
The incident highlights a growing concern that right-wing figures are increasingly influencing the field of psychedelics research. While some experts acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin for mental health conditions, others caution against the commercialization of these substances without adequate scientific scrutiny.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Bryan Johnson's livestream has sparked a global conversation about psychedelics and their potential role in longevity. Whether this experiment will yield enduring health benefits remains to be seen, but its impact on reducing stigma around psychedelic use is undeniable.
Johnson's livestream, which has garnered over 1.1 million views, marked the second part of his investigation into the potential benefits of psilocybin for longevity. Prior to consuming the mushrooms, Johnson measured his brain activity with a $50,000 helmet produced by Kernel and took saliva samples and temperature readings. The experience involved drinking more than five grams of powdered mushrooms mixed with lemon juice, which led to a range of reactions from observers.
Some experts have praised the experiment as an opportunity to demystify psychedelics and showcase their potential benefits, while others have expressed concerns that the livestream may lead to fragmented attention and performance stress. Rayyan Zafar, a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College London, noted that Johnson's setup "speaks more to ego enrichment than ego dissolution" and that such experiences are often best held with an introspective and internal focus.
Meanwhile, billionaire Benioff joined the stream to discuss longevity with David Friedberg, cohost of the All-In podcast linked to the Trump administration. While Friedberg highlighted some real science behind psychedelics' potential rejuvenating effects, Benioff's comment about a "sponsorship of a sleep mask" raised eyebrows and suggested a logical endpoint for Johnson's campaign: selling more products.
Critics have also pointed out that the absence of many actual scientists on the livestream is notable. Colette Schmitt, founder of Neurodelics and Decriminalize Nature Philadelphia, warned about the dangers of high suggestibility meeting low scientific literacy in the psychedelic movement. As the trip subsided, Grimes played an "unhinged" DJ set, and Johnson's father, Richard, joined the broadcast with Talmage.
The incident highlights a growing concern that right-wing figures are increasingly influencing the field of psychedelics research. While some experts acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin for mental health conditions, others caution against the commercialization of these substances without adequate scientific scrutiny.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Bryan Johnson's livestream has sparked a global conversation about psychedelics and their potential role in longevity. Whether this experiment will yield enduring health benefits remains to be seen, but its impact on reducing stigma around psychedelic use is undeniable.
Bryan Johnson's livestream was definitely a wild ride. I mean, 5.5 hours of straight-up trippy vibes? that's some next-level stuff 
. But seriously, it's kinda concerning that these high-profile folks are jumping into the world of psychedelics without actual scientific background 
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. I get it, longevity is a thing, but come on, can't we focus on actual research for once? 
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. We need to make sure that these substances are being studied with a level head and not just because some billionaire's ego is involved 
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. It's time we start talking about the potential benefits and risks in a more nuanced way 
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the fact that Mark Benioff had to mention his own "sponsorship" deal makes me cringe. it's like he was trying to sell us on his sleep mask as much as Johnson's longevity plans. and can we talk about the lack of actual scientists in this whole thing? it's just a bunch of influencers and celebrities winging it 
like that comment from benioff about the sleep mask tho... anyway, i do think the bigger issue here is that psychedelics need more scientific rigor before they can be mainstreamed 
we're not just talking about personal experiences or anecdotes - we need actual evidence and research to back up these claims 
anyway i think bryan johnson's livestream is a bit weird it's like he's trying to sell us on this longevity thing and his psilocybin experiment is just a marketing stunt 
. what's the true cost of 'ego dissolution' when it comes to confronting our own mortality? and is it really about 'enlightenment' or just some way to distract us from the crushing weight of existence? 
? It feels super commercialized to me.
. But let's keep things grounded and informed, you know?
And hey, even if the results are inconclusive, at least we're having this conversation 
, and I love how he brought together such an interesting mix of people from different fields. It's cool to see the billionaire vibes intersecting with psychedelic research 
. I mean, we're talking 1.1 million views and all these big names showing up – it's like a whole new world is opening up 
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50k helmet for brain activity tracking? More like a marketing gimmick. And then Benioff showing up uninvited with his sleep mask sponsorship... 
Come on, guys. This isn't about science; it's about selling products and gaining attention. And don't even get me started on the lack of actual scientists in that livestream... 
Critical thinking, folks!
. And don't even get me started on the lack of actual scientists in the room... I mean, isn’t that what we need to be talking about when it comes to psychedelics? 
. The fact that it's a 5.5-hour stream with multiple influencers and businesspeople just doesn't feel right for an experiment about mental health and longevity 
. We can't just let anyone with a rich wallet start experimenting with psilocybin and then selling products without proper testing... no way, José 
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. Let's keep the conversation real, people! 