In today’s world of big bucks and progressive medicine, anti-ageing is the new black. Last month, tech mogul Bryan Johnson had his son’s plasma injected into his bloodstream as part of a multimillion dollar drive to show how a middle-aged man might regain the body of an 18-year-old. But perhaps the leading light in this field is America’s favourite biohacker, Ben Greenfield.
Also known as DIY biology, biohacking involves manipulating one’s body to perform beyond its natural abilities. When I meet Greenfield he’s halfway through a jog, which he continues throughout our conversation. His responses are robust and rapid, his tone clear and confident. “I’m coming to London for the health optimisation summit,” he announces with glee. On June 19, he’ll deliver a longevity masterclass at Chelsea’s HUM2N Clinic (a futuristic place, half-alien spaceship, half-nuclear bunker with all the accoutrements of a five-star hotel), at an event hosted by Davinia Taylor, the darling of the Primrose Hill Set who has swapped champagne for amino acids. Together, the event description tells us, they’ll try and crack the longevity code.
