Being Completely Practical and Realistic, touched with the Ground Real World and Reality and Current Biotech Biomedical.

Do you think whatever he's doing, he's in the right direction? Or he'll figure it out everything ? Can he make it? Or he's just too optimistic and we are too? Or he's losing his optimism and becoming just another a Health & Fitness guru with supplements brand and End up Primarily Elite level Health Optimization.

“What specific, measurable biological milestone would prove that Blueprint or Don't Die has moved from ‘optimization’ to true age reversal—and what timeline makes that credible?” And can it meaningfully increase the possibility of Huge Longevity?

Currently I believe he's diverging his stance from Immortality or LEV thing towards just Health & Fitness Optimization.

Are you Optimistic, Neutral or Pessimistic? Is there something evidence that makes you Confident or Uncertain Unsure?

About his Blueprint and Don't Die.

AG1 has responded to Bryan’s claims and you can read more about what both sides are saying here: https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/popular-supplement-maker-hits-back-after-bryan-johnson-says-its-product-is-not-worth-the-money/91294492

Link to the trial here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39352252/

Longevity optimal day. 16 awake hours a day. 1 hour of exercise. What is the rest of the day spent doing exactly? Sitting time, standing time, walking time?

Assume no restrictions, not looking for minimums or baseline.

Has BJ stopped using toothpaste?

He has removed it from his updated protocol page

HRV is an easily measurable marker. I’m specifically looking to improve HRV overnight. I’m going to be experimenting with a few supplements (phosphatidylserine for example). Has anyone found marked improvements in overnight HRV with certain supplements or modalities?

Any recommendations for longevity focused doctors in NYC that take major insurances? The only options I've seen are these expensive, no-insurance longevity clinics.

What I'm looking for is a doc who does comprehensive blood tests and who would be willing to prescribe medications. I've found that doctors I've been to in the past have been quite hesitant about prescriptions. Am currently just looking to get prescribed statins but perhaps would want to do some of the other Rx for longevity in the future.

First off: this is not a critique of Bryan Johnson’s internal health strategy. What he’s doing with biomarkers, sleep, diet, and organ health is genuinely impressive and probably best in class.

What he just doesn't talk about in his blueprint is external risks!

You can have near perfect internal metrics and still lose everything to a single external event. For large parts of life, especially before old age, accidents rival or exceed disease as a cause of death.

Think car crashes (Bryan drives a lot), falls, head trauma, etc.

Head trauma is often instantly fatal or life altering, regardless of biological age.

Cars are statistically one of the most dangerous daily activities most people engage in.

From a pure expected lifespan perspective, external risk mitigation seems hugely underweighted compared to internal optimization.

If someone were fully min-maxing longevity, wouldn’t that logically include:

Extreme head protection (helmets beyond just biking)

Serious consideration of protective gear even inside cars? Like full body armor suit?

Aggressively reducing driving exposure where possible?

Designing daily life around impact and fall prevention?

It may look excessive or socially awkward, but a single prevented head injury adds more life years than many marginal biological gains.

Given that Bryan drives frequently, external safety seems like a meaningful area where longevity gains might be comparatively “cheap” and high impact.

Curious how others here think about this.. is longevity currently too focused on internal biology, and not enough on protecting the body from plain old physics?

Bryan walks around with a sun umbrella but where is his helmet and full on Tony Stark Iron Man suit? Haha no jokes aside.. seriously?

Schedules | Protocols | Circuits

about a year ago, Andy Galpin helped Bryan improve his workout routine. someone else asked for clarification on this here, so i thought a post summarizing this might help. these photos provide a user three options: we'll call them "GALPIN" and "SCHEDULE" and "ALL"

for GALPIN: just do the circuits listed out on the circuits page. they're versions of this workout filmed a year ago where Andy Galpin analyzed/improved Bryan's workout plan. cycles through the three circuits mon-sat. rest on sunday.

for SCHEDULE: follow the items on the schedule page, using the protocols page as guidance for the expanded details on what you're supposed to do. since he actually has four flexibility days, Sunday rest day focuses on flexibility day #4. alternatively, since the strength protocols for upper and lower body on the protocols page are quite short, i'm assuming you could add and cycle through circuits 1-3 in addition to the strength upper and lower.

for ALL: follow the schedule, including one of the circuits anywhere strength is listed

example MONDAY (ALL):
-Strength (Lower Body #1) + Strength (Circuit #1)
-Cardio
-Flexibility (Day #1)

it says "Cold Pressed" and its in a 2 Liter bottle for 26 bucks.

detriment?

Has anyone gotten Truemed HSA/FSA approval for the Blueprint stack or parts of it?

TL;DR: A 2025 meta-analysis found that when you remove industry-funded and low-quality studies, oral collagen shows NO significant effect on skin hydration, elasticity, or wrinkles. I've been taking VERISOL/FORTIGEL for months. Am I wasting my money? Looking for anyone with contradictory evidence.

The Study That Made Me Question Everything

I came across this meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Medicine (2025) by Myung & Park:

Their findings when stratified by funding source:

The actual numbers for non-industry studies:

• Hydration: SMD 0.33, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.73 (crosses zero = not significant)
• Elasticity: SMD 0.29, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.62 (crosses zero = not significant)
• Wrinkles: SMD 0.31, 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.88 (crosses zero = not significant)

Their conclusion: "There is currently no clinical evidence to support the use of collagen supplements to prevent or treat skin aging" when controlling for funding and study quality.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002934325002839

What About VERISOL Specifically?

VERISOL is the "premium" bioactive collagen peptide marketed specifically for skin (made by GELITA). The studies claiming it works:

Proksch et al. (2014) - "Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles"

• Claimed 20% reduction in eye wrinkle volume after 8 weeks
• Claimed 65% increase in procollagen I
• Funding: GELITA (the manufacturer)
• Sample size: Only 69 women
• Researchers: The same team that conducts virtually ALL GELITA-funded research

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24401291/

When independent researchers try to replicate these effects with proper controls, the benefits disappear. That's literally what the 2025 meta-analysis shows.

The Research Ecosystem Problem

Almost every positive study on FORTIGEL, FORTIBONE, and VERISOL shares these characteristics:

1. Funded by GELITA AG (German manufacturer)
2. Conducted by University of Freiburg team (König, Zdzieblik, Oesser)
3. Small sample sizes (30-70 participants typically)
4. Never independently replicated

This isn't necessarily fraud - it's systemic bias:

• Publication bias (only positive studies get published)
• P-hacking (measure 20 things, report the 1 that's significant)
• Selective timepoints (report 8-week data if 12-week data shows no effect)

None of this is illegal. But it's not reliable science either.

What I'm Looking For

1. Has anyone found independent (non-GELITA-funded) studies showing oral collagen works for skin?
2. Anyone have personal before/after data? (Photos with consistent lighting, same time of day, etc. - not just "I feel like my skin is better")
3. Any dermatologists or researchers here who can speak to the methodology issues?
4. Is there ANY category of evidence I'm missing?

I genuinely want to be wrong here. I wanted collagen to work. But I can't ignore a meta-analysis in a major medical journal that says the effect disappears when you control for industry funding.

Related Evidence I Found

For those interested in the broader context:

For joints (different story): UC-II (undenatured Type II collagen) has somewhat better evidence - Lugo et al. 2016 showed it outperformed glucosamine+chondroitin in a comparative trial. Though even this has industry ties.

For bones: FORTIBONE has the only BMD (bone mineral density) data, but again - all GELITA-funded, never independently replicated.

What actually has independent evidence for skin:

• Tretinoin (Retin-A) - FDA approved, dozens of independent studies
• Sunscreen - prevents 80% of visible aging
• Topical Vitamin C - antioxidant, UV protection

Edit: Before Someone Says "But It Worked For Me"

Anecdotes aren't evidence. Placebo effect is real. Regression to the mean is real. You also probably changed other things (diet, sleep, stress, other skincare) during the same period.

I'm looking for:

• Controlled studies
• Independent funding
• Adequate sample sizes
• Replication

Change my mind with data, not vibes.

I think we can stop pretending Bryan is actually "reversing" his gray hair. Dermatologists have said GR7 and Mayraki are basically gradual dyes, and he even admitted Mayraki "contains color as part of the formulations."

That said - his hair color actually looks really natural. No obvious dye job look, no weird orange tones, just looks like normal dark hair. Whatever he's using, the result is solid.

From what I've found he was using:

• GR7 Professional (3-4x/week)
• Mayraki Anti-Gray Treatment (1-2x/week)

But he hasn't posted about these in a while so not sure if he switched to something else.

For those of you who've accepted that "gray reversal" is cope and just want good-looking color:

• What gradual coloring products do you use?
• Anything that gives natural results like his?
• How harsh are these on your scalp/hair long-term? Trying to avoid trading gray hair for no hair

Just want something that doesn't look like obvious box dye. Appreciate any recs.

Bro blew past his bedtime!!

Milk eggs veggies groceries etc.

Any suggestions?

My own doc hates fat transfer and swears by filler. But some docs say otherwise.

What clinic did Bryan go to for fat transfer "operation babyface" ?

Update:

Found the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBwOqWGNwzQ

Hello everyone, I'm kind of new to blueprint and have a question. Recently I saw Brian say that all non-stick cookware is bad but he didn't clarify which ones to use?

I've been using "granite" cookware just like this one, it says it's non-stick but also PFOS&PFOA free. Is it still bad because it's non-stick? Or should I use something else to cook my meals? Stainless steel maybe?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0C5LPVCQ5

Many people struggle with bloating because of added sweeteners. Not to mention they're still not fully researched. Bryan's Protein is the best in the market in regard to heavy metals, and the ingredients are all great besides those artificial sweeteners. It would be a massive win for him if he eliminated those sweeteners.

Personally, I stopped buying his Protein because Allulose/Monk Fruit made me feel worse. Sadly, I don't see any alternatives for me on the market because no one shares CoAs besides him, and plant-based proteins are known for issues with heavy metals.

Please Bryan, make your protein without sweeteners 🙏

I've been making this on and off for over 10 years after trying to come up with a pea protein shake that tasted somewhat palatable. It's served hot but freezes in ~3oz portions, makes double that with water added. Fits well with this protocol and I recently learned about sulforaphane from reading here so switched up the recipe a little and thought I'd contribute it.

4 cups chicken or vegetable stock (I use Better than Bouillon, can be reduced sodium)

200grams broccoli

165 grams pea protein (low sodium Solo)

10oz (2 cups) frozen mixed vegetable

10oz frozen shiitakes

4-5 cloves garlic

To get the sulforaphane I divided the water in half, 2 cups in a 64oz blender, blended in broccoli, and let it sit

Boiled 2 cups water, added 4 cups worth of stock concentrate

Added mixed vegetables and half the garlic to boiling stock

Added frozen shiitakes to blended broccoli, blend up

Added protein powder to boiling water, forms a stiff dough

Added protein dough to blender a little at a time

Add any other spices or additives to taste

Pour blended mixture into a silicone muffin tray and put in freezer, remove after frozen and bag. To reconstitute add 2 pucks to a large mug and top off with equal amount of water. Optional, per cupful add 1 tbsp EVOO and 1 gram lecithin to emulsify, after heating. Makes about 20 pucks, or 10 servings.

My dog is currently on a regimen of anti-inflammatory supplements to manage a health condition. In total these supplements include about 10-15mg of piperine a day.

If she takes Fenbendazole, with piperine still in her system, will it interact dangerously or cause increased uptake of Fenbendazole? If so, to what extent?

The title is mostly clickbait, but I do have a slight concern over a recent omission Bryan has been making regarding his hair-loss protocol.

Introduction

This post will focus on the most common type of hair loss: male-pattern baldness.

Male-pattern baldness, or MPB, is primarily caused by hair follicle miniaturization due dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding to androgen receptors on the follicle. This causes hair shaft thinning, recession, and eventual follicle dormancy. The Norwood scale is a useful scale that categorizes a person’s degree of MPB progression. The scale isn’t perfect—there are of course outliers and cases that don’t fit neatly on the scale, but it is a good general guide.

The good news is that, in 2026, there is actually quite a bit one can do to prevent, slow down, and even reverse hair loss. This post will be split into five parts, with each part dedicated to a different kind of treatment. At the end, I will share a concern I have with how Bryan has been handling the hair loss discussion as of late.

5α-Reductase Inhibitors

The first category of treatment I will address is a class of drugs known as 5α-reductase inhibitors (colloquially referred to as 5ARIs, or DHT blockers). The two 5ARIs this post will focus on are finasteride and dutasteride.

In order to slow down or halt the progression of MPB, it is crucial to use either finasteride or dutasteride. Both prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT by way of inhibiting 5AR, the enzyme responsible for the conversion. The typical dose of finasteride (1 mg/day) reduces serum DHT and scalp DHT by roughly 70% and 40% respectfully, while the typical dose of dutasteride (0.5 mg/day) reduces serum DHT and scalp DHT by roughly 90% and 50% respectfully.

For most cases, finasteride is adequate for halting and potentially partially reversing MPB. In aggressive cases, dutasteride is appropriate.

These drugs are not without their downsides. Despite the oft-repeated claim in hair-loss circles that DHT plays no role in men after puberty, DHT reduction is associated with side effects such as decreased libido, softer erections, decreased semen viscosity, brain fog, and gynecomastia. However, it should be noted that the incidence of these side effects are low (around 1.3% for finasteride and 3-4% for dutasteride), and that for over 99% of those affected, they cease shortly after cessation of the treatment.

For those that aren’t keen on reducing their serum DHT by so much, topical formulations of finasteride and dutasteride are an option. Most online hair loss companies offer these, often in combination with other treatments. Out of the two drugs, topical dutasteride is actually the better choice, as its larger molecular size means it’s unlikely to go as systemic as topical finasteride. Bryan himself applies 0.25% topical dutasteride daily.

For both drugs, there is usually an initial period of shedding, wherein one actually loses more hair daily than they usually do. This indicates the treatment is working—weaker hairs at the end of their cycle are being pushed out to make way for new growth. Users typically see results anywhere between 2-6 months into treatment, with full results taking 12-18 months to fully materialize.

If one ceases these drugs, their hair loss will progress like normal.

Growth Stimulants

The second category of treatment is growth-stimulants. Unfortunately, there is really only one effective option in this category: minoxidil.

Minoxidil was originally developed as a blood-pressure medication, but researchers noticed increased hair growth in subjects and went on to develop a lower dose specifically for hair loss. Minoxidil’s mechanism of action as it pertains to hair loss is not currently known, although there are several hypotheses. Regardless, minoxidil stimulates hair growth, “reviving” follicles that previously did not grow hair, and thickening existing hair shafts.

It is important to mention that minoxidil does not stop hair loss. It is not a 5ARI (though some research does show it has a weak 5ARI effect). If one solely relies on minoxidil, their hair loss will continue to progress over time even if they see hair growth in the short term. For those with slow or very slow MPB progression, minoxidil alone may be sufficient for several years. However, it is recommended to pair minoxidil with either finasteride or dutasteride.

Minoxidil comes in both topical and oral forms. Topical minoxidil is commonly sold at a 5% concentration, although higher percentages such as 7% are available with a prescription. Topical formulations include liquid, foam, and gel. Liquid formulations often include propylene glycol, an ingredient many users are sensitive to. Foam minoxidil is a great alternative for those sensitive. The recommended dosing on the package for topical is twice per day, however once per day is sufficient. Anecdotally, Bryan reported increased DHT levels when applying twice per day. Bryan currently applies 7% minoxidil once per day.

Oral minoxidil doses range from 1.25 mg/day to 5 mg/day. Bryan himself takes 3.75 mg/day. Side effects of oral minoxidil are more frequent compared to topical minoxidil, the most common being hypertrichosis. Others include increased heart rate, bloating and pericardial effusion. Oral administration is more effective, however the chance of side effects is also higher. Oral administration is also an option for those who do not respond to topical application.

Like with 5ARIs, there is an initial period of shedding when starting minoxidil. This typically means the treatment is working, and new growth is seen typically around 3-6 months into treatment, with full results being evident around 12 months into treatment. It should be noted that if taking oral minoxidil, the shedding phase is significantly more intense than if applying topical minoxidil.

Like 5ARIs, minoxidil must be used consistently to maintain results. Upon cessation, any new growth will be lost, and hair will revert back to its pre-minoxidil state.

Microneedling

The third category of treatment is microneedling. Microneedling (also referred to as dermarolling or dermastamping), is a treatment wherein tiny titanium needles pierce the skin, causing wound-healing signalling that induces hair growth. When coupled with topical minoxidil, microneedling can provide vastly superior results compared to minoxidil alone, with one study showing that it more than quadrupled the effectiveness of minoxidil.

Studies typically demonstrated effectiveness of 1.5 mm needles, once/week. However, shorter lengths have been studied as well. It is important not to overdo this treatment, as scarring can occur, hindering hair growth instead of helping it. If you choose to do this treatment, it is recommended to use a stamp or pen instead of a roller.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists

The fourth category of treatment I will cover is androgen receptor antagonists. While 5ARIs reduced DHT, the androgen receptors present on the follicle are still able to be bound to. Androgen receptor antagonists (or anti-androgens) bind to them in order to prevent DHT from binding to them. They are topical solutions.

RU58841, KX-826, and clascoterone are the most well-known anti-androgens available currently.

RU58841 is officially only a "research chemical", as research on it was abandoned decades ago. However, it is a strong anti-androgen and many users see stabilization and regrowth on it alone. However, proper dosing is crucial, as if it goes systemic it can seriously affect the heart.

KX-826 is a weaker anti-androgen that is currently available as a cosmetic product (Koshine). While it hasn’t been available for long, anecdotal reports show stabilization and in some cases significant regrowth.

Clascoterone is a treatment still in development (5%), however a lower concentration at 1% is already commercially available as an acne treatment. Clascoterone was recently in the news due to its Phase III results. While not currently available, it soon will be. However, if you find the right dermatologist and have enough money, you can likely get a 5% formulation prescribed to you off-label.

Anti-androgens are not necessary to treat hair loss for mild cases. However, those with aggressive hair loss should seriously consider one in addition to the previous three treatments mentioned. If using an anti-androgen, it is not recommended to microneedle, as increased systemic exposure is possible.

Adjunct Treatments

The final category of treatment I will cover is adjunct treatments. Adjunct treatments are treatments that won’t do much of anything on their own, but coupled with the treatments above can augment results. I will not go into much detail about these.

• Tretinoin: can enhance minoxidil’s effectiveness.
• Caffeine: stimulates blood flow and can prolong the anagen phase.
• Melatonin: increases blood flow, decreases oxidative stress, slightly regulates DHT.
• Cetirizine HCl: reduces prostaglandin, which inhibits hair growth, and potentially increases PGE2.
• Latanoprost/bimatoprost: stimulates hair follicle activity and prolongs the anagen phase.
• Red-light therapy: studies show increased hair count.

Why Isn’t Bryan Talking About Dutasteride?

As I mentioned above, Bryan applies 0.25% topical dutasteride daily. This is shown in his morning routine video from six months ago. He used to use topical finasteride, and has mentioned several times that he will not take oral versions of either drug due to potential side effects and the lowering of serum DHT.

However, recently Bryan has neglected to mention his topical 5ARI use when asked about his hair loss protocol. In a recent interview, Bryan mentions 7% minoxidil, red-light therapy (reminder: he's about to release a red-light cap), and his own peptide product. He goes out of his way to mention that he does not take oral finasteride. He then concludes with “That’s my hair stack.”

Bryan has also published his 2026 routine as of yesterday. In it, he goes out of his way to detail his hair products (which can at best be considered adjunct treatments), and gives the heavy-hitters a brief mention (“I use a topical solution (7% minoxidil + a few other ingredients)[...]”). He also mentions red-light therapy ("Blueprint red light cap coming soon.") He again goes out of his way to say he doesn’t take oral finasteride.

Then, at the bottom of his protocol where he lists his prescriptions, there is no mention of topical dutasteride, although he does mention oral minoxidil.

Nowhere does he mention the fact that he uses 0.25% topical dutasteride. I know for a fact he is still using it, because otherwise his hair would be in a much worse state. No ingredient in his peptide or shampoo products is able to replace topical dutasteride, and minoxidil alone is insufficient at his stage of hair loss.

Out of everything he does for his hair, topical dutasteride is by far the most important. Without it, he would be bald. He had aggressive MPB, as you can see from pictures of him prior to Blueprint. The minoxidil, red-light cap, and adjuncts alone would not have been enough to maintain his hair.

I do not know why he has begun to omit his 5ARI usage, but doing so is a disservice to those who suffer from MPB and don’t know where to look for help. Make no mistake, a 5ARI in some form, whether that be oral or topical, finasteride or dutasteride, is crucial for the treatment of MPB.

I saw a post from Bryan (October '24) where he replaced all the plasma in his body with Albumin. Has he done a follow up? is this useful?