Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, an ambitious biohacker known for his relentless pursuit of anti-aging therapies, recently experienced a significant setback during his latest experiment. The founder of Project Blueprint has been open about his unconventional methods in the quest for longevity, but his latest venture, “Project Baby Face,” led to unexpected complications when he attempted to inject a fat-derived extracellular matrix into his face.
A Painful Setback
In a candid Instagram post, Johnson revealed the distressing aftermath of the procedure. He reported that shortly after the injections, his face began to swell dramatically, resulting in a severe allergic reaction that temporarily impaired his vision. “It got worse, and worse, and worse until I couldn’t even see,” he confessed. The incident raised concerns about the risks involved in his experimental approach to rejuvenation.
The motivation behind Project Baby Face stemmed from Johnson’s earlier health endeavors under Project Blueprint, which questioned whether this generation could be the first not to die. To support this mission, Johnson and his research team meticulously evaluated a range of scientific literature on aging and longevity, eventually adopting caloric restriction as one of the initial therapies. This decision led Johnson to reduce his caloric intake from 2,500 to 1,950 daily, resulting in significant weight loss—particularly in his facial fat. Although his biomarkers improved, the visual results prompted concerns about his youthful appearance.
Reassessing Volume and Youth
As Blueprint’s momentum grew into a global movement, Johnson recognized the importance of facial fat in perceptions of youthfulness. This realization prompted him to launch Project Baby Face with the goal of restoring volume to his face, which had diminished as a result of his strict diet. To achieve this, he selected a therapy that involved injecting a fat-derived extracellular matrix to stimulate natural fat growth. However, due to insufficient body fat for extraction, Johnson opted to use donor fat for the injection.
The aftermath was shocking; thirty minutes post-treatment, he found himself facing a swelling that obscured his sight. Jokingly, he reached out to a business associate, assuring him that he might not look the same for their upcoming meeting and questioned whether he was trained in any life-saving techniques. Fortunately, Johnson’s condition stabilized after seven days, and he reported that his face returned to normal.
The Journey Continues
Reflecting on his experiences, Johnson noted, “Building a product is one thing; being the product is a whole different thing.” His anti-aging journey has included controversial methods such as receiving blood transfusions from his teenage son—a “young blood” procedure that the FDA has not approved—alongside a stringent diet, Blueprint-branded supplements, and regular gene therapy injections. Despite the challenges he faces, Johnson remains undeterred and continues to explore innovative, albeit unorthodox, approaches in his quest for longevity.
As he recovers from this setback, Johnson is already back at work on reformulating plans for his next endeavor, demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and personal health.
