The miracle of life has always been counterbalanced by the inevitability of death. But what if the certainty of death is a challenge science is preparing to confront head-on? The quest for immortality is almost as old as human civilization itself. Traces of this quest can be found in even the oldest known pieces of literature. Around 2100 BCE, this concept was already being explored in the Epic of Gilgamesh, a tale about a Sumerian king who embarks on a journey to discover immortality. Yet, as science progresses, we are seeing a rapid shift from fiction to fact. In fact, if futurist Ian Pearson’s predictions are anything to go by, if you can stay alive until 2050, you may be able to live forever.
Will Humans Soon Be Able To Live Forever?
In 2018, Dr Ian Pearson predicted that if you can stay alive until 2025, you may just be able to achieve immortality. He revealed that one way to extend our lives would be by using medicines and biotechnologies that rejuvenate, renew, or replace our cells and organs. Scientists are currently working on 3D printers that can produce human organs, replacing the need for donors. He also imagined a world where our minds are in the digital “cloud”, enabling us to inhabit any android we feel like using in the real world. Seven years after his predictions, we are already witnessing many fascinating scientific breakthroughs that are bringing us a step closer to being able to live forever.
Longevity Escape Velocity
“Longevity escape velocity” is an idea that was introduced by the futurist Ray Kurzweil. It describes the point at which advancements in medicine will extend human life at a quicker rate than aging occurs. He predicted that due to breakthroughs in gene editing, regenerative medicines, and artificial intelligence, this milestone could be reached somewhere between 2029 and 2035. According to this concept, if we can stay alive until this point is reached, we will consistently benefit from breakthrough treatments. This would mean that aging itself would simply be treated like any other medical condition – potentially reversible and easily manageable.
Breakthrough Pharmaceutical Advances
Many recent studies have already indicated the potential that breakthrough medicines may play in extending life. For example, a combination of trametinib and rapamycin was shown to extend the lifespan of mice by up to 30%. These drugs target cellular pathways linked to aging and work by reducing inflammation and inhibiting tumor development. Researchers believe that these very same pathways are found in humans and could be targeted to slow the development of age-related diseases. If these drugs prove to be successful in medical trials, they could potentially revolutionize preventative medicine.
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Biohacking Johnson
Bryan Johnson has recently been in several publications due to his quest to make himself young again. The biohacker and entrepreneur has garnered attention across the globe for his intense anti-aging regimen. One of the techniques that he swears by is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Johnson claims that a 90-day protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy drastically reversed his biological age. According to Johnson, this novel therapy works by saturating his body with oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. He believes that this triggers cellular regeneration. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the legitimacy of his claims.
The Potential of Senolytics
Senolytics are a class of drugs that were designed to get rid of senescent cells. Also known as “zombie cells”, these cells are known to contribute to age-related diseases. Various compounds, such as dasatinib and quercetin, have shown great potential in preclinical studies. They have been shown to improve physical function as well as reduce frailty in older adults. By removing these defective cells, these drugs may help tissues recover function and decrease chronic inflammation. Human trials are currently underway, and preliminary results indicate improved mobility and organ function.
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Lifestyle Interventions
The year 2050 is still 25 years away, and staying alive until then is crucial if you wish to live forever. Until then, there are several lifestyle choices you can make the ensure that you reach 2050. Research has shown that exercising regularly can add as much as 10 years to your lifespan. Furthermore, diets that are rich in high-quality carbohydrates have been linked to healthier aging outcomes, including physical and cognitive health. When researchers examined regions where people are known to live long, known as blue zones, they found that the above traits were significant factors in determining longevity.
Nutritional Supplementation
Another way you can improve your chances of living until 2050 is through nutritional supplementation. Vitamin D supplementation has been associated with the preservation of telomere length, a significant biomarker of cellular aging. One study involving over 25,000 participants revealed that taking vitamin D3 every day could potentially slow down biological aging. These findings add to the wealth of data that shows how customized supplements can help people live longer lives by complementing a healthy lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
While these breakthroughs are encouraging, there are many ethical questions to consider. Would only the super wealthy be able to afford to live forever? With an ever-increasing population, how would we support and sustain a population that does not die? Yet, if these answers were addressed, we could look forward to a future free of aging and disease. This may still be a while off, though, so the best methods of life extension available to us are still making healthy lifestyle choices.
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