From plasma infusions to quitting sugar, biohacker and American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has tried numerous ways to extend his lifespan. During a recent conversation with William Rossy on his podcast Sprouht, Johnson shared that he spends about "2 million a year to live longer", strictly avoiding certain habits that come in the way of his quest for longevity. "We have been trained poorly with habits, and society has trained us with false narratives. So you have to fight against the culture that asks you to stay up late. That tells you, 'It's okay to be on your screen, it's okay to sleep late.' Stress is non-stop. You are constantly doom-scrolling," Johnson told Rossy, adding: "Basically, I have created rules for myself because I know I will make the wrong choice if I am given the opportunity." The biohacker shared 3 habits that he avoids at all costs: "Smoking is the worst thing anybody can do for their body" Johnson reiterated the fact that smoking is known to have permanently damaging effects on the lungs and respiratory function, and Dr Shivakumar K, MD, a respiratory medicine specialist and senior consultant at Birds Clinic, Bengaluru, shared some of its prominent effects. "Smoking can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to increased mucus production. Smokers may experience shortness of breath, particularly during physical exertion. Frequent coughing is common as the body tries to clear the irritants from the lungs," he explained, adding that in the long term, smoking can cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), along with becoming a primary risk factor for lung cancer. Long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes can lead to persistent coughing and increased mucus production, ultimately resulting in chronic bronchitis. "Not exercising is the second worst thing you can do" Agreeing with Johnson, Dr Dhinesh David, Consultant – Department of Cardiology, KIMSHEALTH Trivandrum, shared that skipping exercise and sitting for more than 8 hours a day with no physical activity comes with a risk of cardiovascular events almost similar to smoking. “Metabolism slows by nearly 30% when sitting compared to standing or walking. This can lead to weight gain and fat deposits in the arteries, causing atherosclerosis,” he told indianexpress.com, further stating that work-from-home professionals often engage in long hours of uninterrupted sitting, which limits their physical activity and contributes to metabolic dysfunction, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and systemic inflammation: all of which are precursors for cardiovascular disease. "Avoid stress and doom scrolling at all costs" Doom scrolling, on the other hand, has a negative impact on mental health, triggering and worsening anxiety, stress, depression, panic, and rapidly affecting one’s neurological health, according to Johnson. "Constant sitting has given rise to posture-related issues and joint arthritis. Diseases like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, obesity, and vision issues have increased substantially, along with increased exposure to radiofrequency waves resulting in a spike in brain tumour cases," concurred Dr David, adding that modern-day dependence on technology has further worsened the problem, and people end up experiencing chronic fatigue, poor concentration, mood disturbances and sleep disorders. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
