Biohacking has proven itself as an influential health trend over time, appearing on podcasts, Netflix documentaries, and For You feeds everywhere from podcasts to vlogs and Instagram stories.
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson is an innovator in longevity biohacking, using everything from fasting to injecting his son’s blood plasma in order to stave off ageing. His story can be found in a new Netflix documentary.
1. Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever
Bryan Johnson of Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has one goal in life: living forever. Netflix’s new documentary on his pursuit to combat aging with an obsessive wellness regime called Blueprint provides insight into his efforts at defying it.
Johnson is on an epic quest that comes at a heavy financial and emotional toll, both financially and personally. Since making $300 Million by selling Braintree (the parent company of Venmo) in 2013, he has spent nearly $2 Million annually experimenting with various unregulated approaches for prolonging lifespan extension.
The film offers an intriguing glimpse at a growing movement: that of individuals trying to modify their health and body in search of immortality. Johnson stands as an extreme example, though such behavior is becoming increasingly common among wealthy individuals. As society becomes obsessed with living longer lives, Johnson serves as a reminder that no matter how much money someone may possess or how successful their lives have been; death remains inevitable.
At its heart, this film isn’t really about outliving time on this Earth; rather it reveals human struggle to find purpose in what remains of their lives. While not an ideal film, it offers a fascinating and terrifying insight into a person unable to distinguish what’s truly important in his own existence from materialistic pursuits that threaten his wealth.
Don’t Die is one of Smith’s more recent documentaries and while it doesn’t quite match his earlier ones like Fyre and Mr. McMahon in terms of theme, it still serves as captivating entertainment. Additionally, it serves as an introduction to various modalities of biohacking including Theresage LumaFlex PEMF technologies which may seem controversial but is an insightful look into their world of health and wellness. In all, Don’t Die provides both informative entertainment that shows glimpses into future health and wellness possibilities!
2. Unnatural Selection
This four-part series explores both the potential of genetic engineering to enhance human life, as well as its ethical considerations. It follows several people – from Harvard-educated scientists to amateur renegade biologists working out of their garage – each using gene-splicing technologies such as CRISPR to experiment on themselves or others and their results are both fascinating and troubling.
Netflix does a commendable job of exploring this complex scientific topic through interviews like Hard Talk. We meet Chen-Lu, an introverted nerd who genetically modifies plants (to produce beef-flavored mushrooms or create biopiano); Ole who engages in various body hacking self-experiments including implanting an NFC microchip into his hand to pay in shops; and Josiah Zayner a “celebrity” biologist known for injecting himself with CRISPR during a biotech conference livestreamed by livestreaming the stunt livestreamed it!
Each biohacker offers their own perspective on this new science, yet all share similar goals: curing serious diseases and improving life for all. The series does a good job showing how what may start out as an experimental hobby quickly becomes something much more dangerous and controversial – an important reminder that these advances don’t just exist in developed nations with access to high-tech laboratories; anyone equipped with some DIY equipment and YouTube videos can become genetic scientist!
Unnatural Selection’s most captivating aspect lies in seeing how its subjects are treated by both peers and media alike. Not only can corporate giants be hurt by new trends; even those making major lifestyle changes can be persuaded by media to believe that they’re not doing enough to benefit our planet and humanity.
Although it may appear strange that individual scientists are conducting DNA and gene-splicing research in their apartment labs and lakesides, such innovations could have profound ramifications for society as a whole. But where exactly will we draw the line between what’s acceptable and unacceptable?
3. The Liver King
The wellness industry has seen more than its fair share of snake oil salesmen who promote health advice for personal gain. Apple Cider Vinegar Guru Belle Gibson; blood tech company Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes; and Liver King Brian Johnson have made headlines for their dubious tactics in trying to become world’s strongest man; Johnson gained millions of followers online by pushing his fad diet and exercise regimen, garnering him nearly godlike status among followers on social media.
Chris Smith documented Johnson’s quest and biohacking lifestyle for one year to document it all.
As the movie progresses, Johnson’s erratic messaging becomes more alarming. His insistence on eating raw organs from wild animals and advocating an extreme workout regimen could put others in harm’s way; his dishonest responses when approached by podcast hosts also raised red flags.
At first, Johnson seemed unstoppable until leaked emails and blood tests revealed he had been using steroids to achieve his physique. Later he was arrested for making physical threats against podcast host Joe Rogan; although Johnson had genuine passion for bodybuilding and desired to emulate fictional heroes from fiction, his desire for fame eventually derailed his movement and left many of its supporters disappointed and disillusioned.
4. CRISPR: The Movie
This movie makes an attempt at simplifying an intricate subject accessible, and they succeed admirably. They introduce viewers to all the possibilities provided by CRISPR and its revolutionary potential, from treating genetic diseases and altering ecosystems, to altering human traits or editing germ lines – something this documentary examines closely and how it might impact future generations.
CRISPR explores both its impact on humans as well as other species, with interviews of scientists, philosophers and others who are affected by CRISPR science. Due to this wide-ranging coverage it provides more rounded and informative views than other popular movies on this topic.
One of the key aspects of this documentary is its in-depth examination of biology behind CRISPR technology. It covers DNA editing with stunning animations and chronicles the many years spent developing it; additionally, several scientists who contributed their prior work inform its famous discoverers – showing the collaborative nature of modern science at play in their filmic appearances.
This film also explores the controversy over CRISPR’s application in medicine and agriculture, chronicling Tristan Roberts, an HIV patient who tried gene therapy to lower his viral load using gene therapy while live streaming his experience online. Biohacking also discusses an emerging interest for individuals without medical or scientific backgrounds to experiment with genetic editing kits at home – something Elon Musk is actively engaging with via his Neuralink company.
The film also explores the ethical challenges posed by CRISPR’s transformation from scientific tool to commercial product, noting its greater risk when used by private companies whose profit motive may lead them to decide its usage and usage decisions are dictated by profit motive. International regulations are advocated as it moves from laboratory settings into marketplace settings.
