The Optispan Podcast with Matt Kaeberlein

A Physicist's Radical Theory of Why We Age

Jul 22, 2025

Jan Gruber, a physicist with a revolutionary take on aging, explores how it is a gradual loss of resilience against random events. He challenges traditional views on biological clocks and discusses the intricate interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and stochastic damage. The conversation dives into innovative methods for measuring biological age and potential lifespan interventions. Gruber also highlights the surprising benefits of shifting health strategies, offering fresh insights into the science of longevity that could reshape our understanding of aging.

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INSIGHT

Physics Explains Aging Risk Increase

Aging is a loss of physiological resilience modeled as declining potential well height.
Small random perturbations lead to exponentially increased mortality risk as resilience declines.

INSIGHT

Damage Accumulation Drives Aging

Aging results from cumulative stochastic damage that degrades physiological resilience.
Genetics influence both optimal function and damage accumulation rates.

INSIGHT

Lifestyle Influences Damage Frequency

Lifestyle modulates the frequency and impact of stochastic damage events.
Factors like glucose spikes or infection episodes contribute to irreversible physiological changes.

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Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@optispanGet Our Newsletter (It's Free): https://www.optispan.life/Physicist Jan Gruber presents a radical theory of aging, describing it as a gradual loss of resilience against random, stochastic events. This new model challenges how we think about biological clocks and could revolutionize the way we measure health and develop future longevity therapies.0:00 - The Physics of Aging: A New Model5:34 - How Damage, Genetics & Lifestyle Fit In13:59 - The 2 Factors That Define Your Lifespan20:10 - A Better Way to Measure Biological Age?25:18 - "Enslavement": How One System Failure Causes Collapse27:31 - What Epigenetic Clocks Actually Measure37:00 - The Problem with Current Animal Studies45:11 - What Makes a Longevity Clock Truly Useful?Production: Nicholas Arapis, https://videocastproductions.comDISCLAIMER: 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://twitter.com/optispanpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/optispanTwitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optispanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/optispanpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optispanhttps://www.optispan.life/Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.On this podcast I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!