Additional Coverage:
- Longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson says smoking psychedelic toad venom showed him the ‘expansive map’ of human consciousness (businessinsider.com)
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, known for his extravagant anti-aging regimen, has reportedly turned to psychedelics in his quest to understand the limits of human consciousness. Johnson, who has invested heavily in reversing the biological effects of aging, stated on a recent podcast that he believes he has found the “most expansive map” of human consciousness through the use of 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic compound found in Sonoran Desert toad venom.
Johnson explained that he’s always been fascinated by the vastness of the human mind, and that previous experiences with alcohol and marijuana, while revealing different facets of consciousness, didn’t provide the complete picture he sought. He described his desire to map consciousness, particularly in light of advancements in artificial intelligence, questioning the potential for AI to explore the human mind if paired with the brain.
The experience with 5-MeO-DMT, he claims, provided a profound revelation, so much so that he tattooed a representation of the molecule on his body.
Johnson, who previously founded the payment processing company Braintree and later Kernel, a neurotechnology company, has gained notoriety for his expensive and rigorous anti-aging efforts, claiming to have reversed several biological markers of aging. While his net worth remains undisclosed, the sale of Braintree to eBay for $800 million in 2013 suggests significant personal wealth. Johnson expressed his bewilderment that the exploration of consciousness isn’t given the same level of importance as other scientific pursuits like artificial superintelligence or space exploration, calling consciousness the “gold mine of our very existence.”