'My stomach is eating itself': Biohacker Bryan Johnson reveals autoimmune disease

American tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who dedicates approximately $2 million annually to longevity treatments, has disclosed a recent diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a condition he described as "my stomach is eating itself."

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my stomach is eating itself

The 48-year-old, who publicly aims to live until 2140, shared the news on Instagram, explaining that the diagnosis came in May following extensive medical tests to determine the cause of his iron deficiency. Johnson has garnered international attention for his rigorous anti-aging program, which involves a strict daily routine, frequent medical testing, and a team of over 30 doctors.

Johnson reflected on his past health habits, admitting to a childhood diet of sugary cereals and fast food, followed by a period of neglecting his health due to the stress of building a business and raising three children. This led to a 40-pound weight gain and a deep chronic depression. "Somewhere in that timeline, my body began developing an autoimmune process affecting my thyroid and then my stomach lining. It's called AIG," he wrote.

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Juggling the stress and grind, I let my health slip and gained 40 lbs (18kg) ... I'd fallen into a deep chronic depression.

Autoimmune gastritis is a chronic condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach lining. It can result in deficiencies of essential nutrients like iron and Vitamin B12 and, if untreated, increases the risk of gastric cancer. While global estimates suggest AIG affects between 0.5% and 4.5% of adults, Johnson cited a range of 2% to 5%. Early symptoms are often subtle, including abdominal pain and bloating, making the condition easily overlooked.

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Somewhere in that timeline, my body began developing an autoimmune process affecting my thyroid and then my stomach lining. It's called AIG.

Despite current medical standards managing AIG rather than curing it, Johnson and his team are determined to find a resolution. They plan to explore experimental treatments, including attempts to "reset the immune cells attacking his stomach lining" and using "AI-designed antibodies." Johnson expressed a belief that in the current era of advanced technology, no condition should be considered incurable simply because a cure has not yet been found.

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Current medical standards treat AIG as something to be managed, not resolved. We want to change that.