Health Update: Do you really want to live forever? – What Experts Say

“I don’t believe in ageing, I believe in forever altering one’s aspect to the sun.” — Virginia Woolf

I first developed a deep interest in centaurians after I watched Secrets of the Blue Zones. The documentary series came out in 2023. We were still getting over the pandemic and so health – mental, physical – was front of mind.

Blue Zones are defined as geographic regions with high concentrations of people who live to be 100 years old, or older. These people are considered to be exceptionally healthy and happy; among them, chronic disease rates are low. The typical lifestyle is humble: they eat simply, lots of plants. They have purpose and community is prioritised. Most of these geographical locations are also, interestingly, located on an incline.

Longevity today is not just relegated to shepherds in Sardinia. As a concept, it’s been co-opted by the wellness industry. “Biohacking” as it’s called, has become a way of life. Fasting, meditation, being a vegan (or being a carnivore), LED lights, sleep scores, Oura rings, peptides, oxygen therapy, preventative scans, creatine, cold plunging. The list of things we can do – should do – goes on ad infinitum.

Right now, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia’s average life expectancy is around 81.1 years old for males and 85.1 years old for females. These numbers saw a slight dip around 2020–2022 but have otherwise been steadily increasing. So technically, we are living longer. But that’s not really what this whole wellness movement is about. It’s not just about being alive, but living.

There’s no singular force driving all this, but much of the conversion is led by self-proclaimed “Biohackers” like Andrew Huberman, a Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology, as well as the host of the Huberman Lab podcast. Huberman educates on topics like nutrition, gut health, cellular health, mindset and movement. It’s considered the world’s number one health podcast, often topping charts on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“At the end of the day, longevity and your approach to wellness should be personal and not prescriptive.”

There are also radicalists like Bryan Johnson, a venture capitalist on a modern-day search for “the fountain of youth”. He has grand plans to achieve immortality by 2039. A strict vegan, Johnson famously consumes a “blueprint stack” of pills and supplements every day. He saunas, works out, sleeps perfectly and famously swapped a litre of his own plasma for a litre of plasma extracted from his teenage son (nicknamed blood boy). Not long after, he swapped all of his plasma again, but this time for Albumin, a concentrated form of protein that assists with transporting essential nutrients through the body. Despite widespread criticism, he claims this self-experimentation is for the greater good of humanity. Johnson really believes we could be the first generation to “not die”.

But do we really want this? Say I can live longer – should I?

I think a lot about Dr Ezekiel J. Emanuel, specifically a piece he wrote for The Atlantic in 2014. It’s titled, Why I Hope To Die At 75. In it, he writes: “But here is a simple truth that many of us seem to resist: living too long is also a loss. It renders many of us, if not disabled, then faltering and declining, a state that may not be worse than death but is nonetheless deprived. It robs us of our creativity and ability to contribute to work, society, the world.”

The piece goes on to be pretty polarising, but Dr Emanuel raises some interesting, nuanced points that are not just centred around his own desires, but the ways his existence impacts those around him. From what I can understand, he doesn’t see longevity as a quest or competition. Quantity is important, but quality is the higher metric. Johnson on the other hand has co-founded the Rejuvenation Olympics: a ranked global leaderboard based on the speed of cellular ageing. He’s literally gamified immortality – extreme wellness as a sport. Yes, you can live well and for a long time, but at what cost? A tech billionaire, he’s admitted to spending millions annually on these pursuits.

I’m not saying it’s all inherently dangerous or acute. I actually think a lot of the information, habits and science are extremely beneficial. I’m interested in living a long, healthy life. I want to feel good and maintain a sense of vitality. I just don’t want to be fanatical about it.

So why the obsession with living forever?

There are probably several reasons. I think it’s partially a reflex reaction to the fact that generations before us were unknowingly poisoned by lead and asbestos. Forever chemicals and microplastics are mildly terrifying, as well. Cancer accounts for three of every 10 deaths in Australia. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is the deadliest disease for women in this country. In a way, wellness also gives us permission to practice self-care, by which I mean rituals and habits that improve our sense of contentment (both physically and emotionally). The world can feel heavy. When you consider the current geopolitical landscape and the tiny computers that are surgically attached to our hands (plus the incessant barrage of information) it seems natural to crave wholesome distractions. But then the question comes up: do I want to be around forever just to watch it all burn? And thus, the existential crisis ensues.

Above all else though, I think the obsession with longevity stems from a collective realisation that prevention is better than cure. This has always been factual, but broken medical systems and a COVID hangover have crystallised it. We want to avoid illness and preventable disease; reduce chronic stress, improve gut health and think about our bodies and our minds as a long-term place of residence. No one wants to be frail or feeble in the late stages of life, as Dr Emanuel rightly points out. As science, technology and information advances, so too should our habits and rituals, right?

This move has given rise to the increase of wellness clubs that riff on classic gymnasiums but offer more in terms of rest, recovery and holistic health. Amanda Harrod, who is the General Manager at the recently opened Commons Health Club in Melbourne, has seen this demand in clients.

“We offer a members-only space where wellness is intentional, integrated and designed to support every stage of a member’s journey. Our focus is on quality over quantity. Fewer people, more attention and a calm environment that encourages consistency rather than burnout,” she tells me.

The Commons offers classic gym facilities and classes, as well as supplementary therapies including infrared saunas, LED light beds, compression boots and ice plunging. “The future of wellness is more personal and far less performative,” she adds. “People are moving away from extremes and towards practices that genuinely support how they want to live, work and age. Our members are increasingly interested in longevity, nervous system health and routines that fit into real life.”

Saint Haven, a luxury wellness club based in Melbourne soon to open its doors in Sydney, takes the idea of integrative health and longevity therapy to an entirely different level. The members-only precinct offers an Australian first: The Lab, a dedicated medical grade ‘biohacking and longevity suite’ with treatment protocols like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections), exosome therapy, IV drips and injectable peptides. All services are driven by bloodwork and a team of qualified professionals.

Josh Kersten is the founder of Prime Platinum, a leading global health business that supplies longevity tech to state-of-the-art health clubs, including Saint Haven. He was also the man who supplied Johnson with his personal hyperbaric chamber. Many of Kersten’s private clients are billionaires. “I’ve always been interested in different approaches to training and recovery,” Kersten tells RUSSH. “This led me to a focus on health span and ultimately longevity. Pretty simply, I know these things work, and I want to help people benefit from them.”

Unsurprisingly, Kersten’s personal wellness routine is more robust than most – he’s equally well known for his personal two million dollar at-home gym – but there are a few specific things he claims have made the biggest impact: sleep, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cryotherapies. “Across the board, it would be hyperbaric and from day- to- day with training and workload, while cryo is a great way to start the day or a training session,” he explains. “And perfecting your sleep will absolutely change your life.”

“Above all else though, I think the obsession with longevity stems from a collective realisation that prevention is better than cure. This has always been factual, but broken medical systems and a COVID hangover have crystallised it.”

His advice? “Eat your last meal close to 5pm as this will allow your body to process the food while you’re still awake. Try to make your room dark and cool with no natural light; I aim for around 18 to 19°C. You could also use something like the Eight Sleep. Avoid screens within two hours of bedtime, as well. There’s more you can do but these simple things should increase your deep and REM sleep so you wake up feeling properly rested.”

Naturally, much of this work and decision-making is driven by data: “Wearables are great for tracking sleep and recovery, but in my opinion everyone should be doing quarterly bloods and a biannual DEXA scan to address training, diet and general wellbeing; it allows you to see what’s working and what’s not,” Kersten concludes. “This is a big part of what has helped me and a lot of my private customers really get their health in good shape.”

Beyond physical therapies and modalities, the rise of longevity supplements also has the wellness industry in a grip. Peptides are everywhere – in our skincare, yes, but now they come in glass vials, ripe for self-injection. My TikTok is full of LA influencers in Rhode eye patches, piercing small rolls of their own skin.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids and form the building blocks of proteins. They bind to cell receptors, triggering metabolic processes. The right peptide is like a correct puzzle piece, or the key to a locked door. They are hero communicators, telling the body to do stuff. GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, are prime examples of injectable peptides. While a simplified explanation, they essentially mimic the hormone GLP-1 that tells our body to release insulin if blood sugar is high, slow down digestion and thus, communicate a feeling of fullness (hence, weight loss).

Most popular ‘longevity peptides’ are not approved by the TGA in Australia for at-home use right now. But will they be? And should we be taking them?

“We are yet to run a peptide protocol, although this is next in the pipeline,” explains Kersten in the context of Prime Platinum. “I literally have them waiting in my fridge…. I think there are some great benefits to peptides when used correctly and sourced from a reputable company or professional, especially when it comes to injury recovery and prevention,” he adds. “But I think you need to work with a professional you can trust to help with sourcing and dosing, while also aligning with your wellness goals.”

Neal Mercado is the Chief Science Officer at Melrose FutureLab, a supplement brand that recently introduced the first TGA approved NMN supplement into the Australian market. A Huberman favourite, NMN, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a naturally occurring compound in the body and one of the most efficient precursors to NAD+. Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is a molecule found in every single cell of the body and is essential for life.

“Are we chasing long-term health, or are we just obsessed with youth? The longevity experiment feels a little like beauty standards dressed up in sheep’s clothing – it’s essential to differentiate the two.”

“As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, which is thought to contribute to many of the biological changes associated with ageing, such as reduced energy and metabolic efficiency,” explains Mercado. “Because of this, supporting healthy NAD+ levels has become an important area of scientific interest in the longevity and healthy ageing space.”

Melrose FutureLab worked closely with the TGA on compliance, allowing them to bring a product that met every safety and quality regulatory standard. “In simple terms, the body uses NMN as a building block to produce NAD+. Research has shown that supplementing with NMN can help support normal NAD+ production, which in turn supports cellular energy, metabolism and overall cellular health.

At the end of the day, longevity and your approach to wellness should be personal and not prescriptive. We need to choose what serves us and leave the rest. Is it acceptable to want to live a long, healthy life? Yes. Is it feasible and accessible to participate in health tracking, preventative scans that cost thousands, restrictive eating, injections, contrast therapy and flawless sleep? No.

“Beyond physical therapies and modalities, the rise of longevity supplements also has the wellness industry in a grip. Peptides are everywhere – in our skincare, yes, but now they come in glass vials, ripe for self-injection. My TikTok is full of LA influencers in Rhode eye patches, piercing small rolls of their own skin.”

As far as health and wellness goes, extreme anything is a slippery slope because it can easily muddy the waters of more dangerous objectives. Are we chasing long-term health, or are we just obsessed with youth? The longevity experiment feels a little like beauty standards dressed up in sheep’s clothing – it’s essential to differentiate the two.

Last year, I spoke with Richard Christiansen, founder of Flamingo Estate, a property and lifestyle brand based out of California that came about as the antidote to burn out. His thoughts on life, happiness, ageing and living fully were some of the most profound I’d heard:

“For a long time, I was convinced that my relationships were deteriorating because I wasn’t young enough or handsome enough. People around me were obsessed with calories and preserving their youth. Many of my friends didn’t drink alcohol, avoided sugar, abhorred carbs, rejected cheese, and were fasting most of the day. I felt like a failure around them when we’d go to a restaurant or when I’d cook pasta at midnight when I got home from work. Other people were comfortable shirtless at a pool and swapped stories of how long they could go without eating. They boasted about their body fat ratios. I found myself avoiding the beach, never taking my shirt off in public, never feeling the sun or sea on my skin. I had forgotten that my body was the path to pleasure. But there is nothing sexy about restriction. Perception is compromised. Joy is lost. Come laugh. Come risk. Come find. Come marvel. Come live. These are things plants and animals know instinctively. A Marigold doesn’t diet. A hummingbird doesn’t wish she were younger. And wouldn’t it be a shame if she did?”

God willing we’re all here for a long time… but mostly a good time.