The Dark Side: Science Versus Snake Oil

Just back from the tour of the longevity world! In this episode, we discuss my recent travels to two major conferences: the high-end Longevity Investors Conference in Gstaad, Switzerland, and the academic GJAM Conference in Jena, Germany.

We unpack the stark contrasts between these two worlds, from the venues and treatment of attendees to the fundamental divides in how people perceive and practice "longevity." I share my key takeaways on the growing chasm between real science and snake oil, the "apologist" perspective, and why I believe the term "Longevity Medicine" is already developing a bad reputation.

We also cover:

• The ethical problem with using biological age clocks in clinical practice today.

• My experience going through the comprehensive health assessment at the Years Clinic in Berlin.

• Surprising VO2 Max results and a hilarious (and slightly alarming) story about getting a full-body MRI in Germany.

• The disconnect between academic geroscience and the biohacking community.

• My thoughts on the future of validated biomarkers.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction & Travel Regrets

00:02:11 - Rapid-Fire Health Check: Diet, Exercise, Sleep

00:04:37 - Trip Overview: Longevity Investors Conference, Gstaad

00:07:08 - The "Dark Side" of Longevity & Snake Oil

00:09:08 - The Three Camps in Longevity

00:13:39 - Upcoming Episodes: Jamie Justice & Brad Stanfield

00:14:05 - The Problem with Biological Age Clocks

00:17:55 - The Most Promising "Biological Age" Test (LINH2)

00:19:26 - Key Takeaways from the Investors Conference

00:20:53 - Longevity vs. Gym Bro Experimentation

00:27:45 - Arrival at the Academic GJAM Conference, Jena

00:31:07 - Stark Contrast: Academia vs. Investors

00:33:15 - The Slow Pace of Academic Science

00:34:03 - The Academic & Biohacker Disconnect

00:36:23 - The "Longevity Celebrity" Phenomenon

00:42:55 - Berlin & The Years Clinic

00:44:54 - "Scientific Healthspan" vs. "Longevity Medicine"

00:45:38 - The MRI Story in Berlin

00:47:53 - VO2 Max & Health Data Results

00:50:05 - Germany's Ban on Preventative DEXA Scans

00:53:16 - Preview of Upcoming Travel

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan podcast is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

More places to find us:

Twitter: https://x.com/Optispan_Inc

Twitter: https://x.com/mkaeberlein 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optispan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optispan_/  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optispan

https://www.optispan.life/