Who is Brian Johnson and is he vegan?
It is important to clarify a common point of confusion. The question of "why is Brian Johnson vegan" typically refers to the tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson (spelled with a 'y'), not Brian Johnson, the lead singer of the rock band AC/DC. AC/DC's Brian Johnson is not known to be vegan, while entrepreneur Bryan Johnson is famously so. This article focuses on the biohacker and his specific motivations for adopting a plant-based lifestyle within his Project Blueprint. His journey is a complex mix of personal ethics, philosophical futurism, and a data-driven pursuit of optimal health.
The Ethical Awakening: The Elk Hunting Incident
Bryan Johnson's primary motivation for adopting a plant-based diet stemmed from a profound and emotional incident while elk hunting. Johnson, a lifelong meat-eater and hunter, described a moment when he shot an elk and walked up to find the animal still breathing. This experience triggered a deep psychological and emotional reaction within him. He explained that seeing the "majestic creature breathing" caused him to "fall apart" from the realization that he was responsible for taking its life. This raw, empathetic response was a major catalyst for his immediate transition to a fully plant-based diet. He has stated that his goal is to incorporate more compassion into his life as best he can.
AI Alignment and the Compassion Argument
Beyond personal ethics, Bryan Johnson’s decision to go vegan is also linked to his forward-thinking philosophical concerns regarding artificial intelligence. In a post on X, he articulated his belief that as human intelligence creates increasingly powerful AI, how we treat less intelligent beings (like animals) could establish a precedent. He posits that a super-intelligent AI might observe human behaviour and model its treatment of humanity based on how we treat other creatures. By demonstrating compassion towards animals now, he hopes to set a foundation for ethical treatment within the universe, suggesting that compassion should be a "scaling law of intelligence". This unique perspective combines his interests in technology and longevity with a profound ethical argument for veganism.
The Health & Longevity Connection
While the ethical reasons are paramount, Johnson's veganism is also tightly integrated with his larger Project Blueprint for radical lifespan extension. He maintains that scientific evidence supports a plant-based diet for optimal health. His rigorous diet is part of a larger plan to achieve a body that is biologically younger than his chronological age.
Key Aspects of Bryan Johnson's Diet:
- Precision: Every meal is precisely measured and controlled to ensure optimal nutrient intake.
- Calorie Restriction: He consumes 2,250 calories per day, maintaining a 10% caloric deficit to aid longevity.
- Nutrient-Dense Meals: His diet consists of specific plant-based meals, such as the "Super Veggie" (a blend of broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, lentils) and the "Nutty Pudding" (a mix of nuts, seeds, and berries).
- Protein Intake: Despite a purely plant-based diet, he consumes 120-130 grams of protein daily using a combination of plant-based protein powders, nuts, and seeds.
A Vegan with an Exception: The Collagen Conundrum
Interestingly, Johnson's veganism has one notable exception: he uses non-vegan collagen peptides as a supplement. He justifies this by stating that "no diet, no vegan diet, no carnivore diet, can satisfy the body's entire needs," and supplementation is necessary to be "ideal". This nuance highlights his science-driven, outcome-based approach, where personal dietary rules can be bent if data suggests a specific supplement is beneficial for his overall health goals.
Bryan Johnson's Personal Diet vs. Blueprint Protocol
It is crucial to distinguish between Bryan Johnson's personal diet and the Project Blueprint protocol he has shared with the public. While he is strictly vegan for ethical reasons, the Blueprint protocol itself is not necessarily a rigid vegan regimen.
| Feature | Bryan Johnson's Personal Diet | Project Blueprint Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Rules | Strict, personally vegan (except for collagen). | Plant-forward but flexible. |
| Ethical Motivation | Driven by a personal ethical awakening. | Focus on optimal health, not strictly ethical veganism. |
| Animal Products | Avoids all meat, dairy, and eggs. | Allows for the addition of meat and other animal products for those who choose. |
| Adherence | Follows with monastic discipline. | Provides a framework that can be adapted by individuals. |
This distinction is important, as Johnson has explicitly stated that individuals following his protocol are free to add meat to their dishes if they wish.
Conclusion
The question of "why is Brian Johnson vegan" reveals a complex and fascinating story that extends far beyond simple dietary preferences. It is a story about Bryan Johnson, the biohacker, and his multi-faceted motivations. His journey began with a profound ethical break during a hunting trip, prompting a deep-seated commitment to compassion. This was further bolstered by a philosophical belief concerning AI alignment and the importance of ethical behavior. Combined with his data-driven pursuit of optimal health and longevity within his Project Blueprint, Johnson's veganism is a deliberate choice for ethical, philosophical, and physiological reasons. His public journey offers a unique case study on how deeply personal experiences and futuristic ideas can shape one's most fundamental life choices.
For more information on the protocol, visit the official Blueprint website [https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/].
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Brian Johnson from AC/DC vegan?
A: No, Brian Johnson of AC/DC is not known to be vegan. The individual who is vegan and known for his anti-aging protocol is tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson (with a 'y').
Q: Did Bryan Johnson go vegan for health reasons?
A: While optimal health is a core part of his Project Blueprint, Bryan Johnson's decision to go vegan was primarily triggered by an ethical awakening after a specific hunting incident. The health benefits are an important secondary motivation.
Q: What hunting incident caused Bryan Johnson to go vegan?
A: Bryan Johnson was on an elk hunting trip, and after shooting an elk, he was deeply moved by the sight of the animal still breathing. This event caused a profound emotional response, leading him to abandon meat.
Q: Why does Bryan Johnson connect AI ethics with veganism?
A: Johnson believes that how humans treat less intelligent beings (like animals) could set a precedent for how a future super-intelligent AI might treat humanity. He sees his veganism as a way to model compassion.
Q: What is the difference between Bryan Johnson's personal diet and his Blueprint protocol?
A: Bryan Johnson follows a strict vegan diet for himself for ethical reasons. The Blueprint protocol he has shared is plant-forward but does not strictly require followers to be vegan; it allows for the addition of animal protein.
Q: Does Bryan Johnson consume any animal products at all?
A: He takes non-vegan collagen peptides as a supplement, arguing that some nutrients cannot be optimally acquired through diet alone. This is an exception he makes based on his data-driven health optimization goals.
Q: Is Bryan Johnson's vegan diet safe to follow?
A: Bryan Johnson's diet is highly personalized, data-driven, and part of a costly medical supervision regime. Experts do not recommend attempting to replicate his specific diet without professional guidance, as it was formulated for one individual.
Q: Does Bryan Johnson eat three vegan meals a day?
A: Yes, his diet consists of three main meals, including a large 'Super Veggie' dish, a 'Nutty Pudding', and a variable third meal, all plant-based. He fasts for 18 hours per day, with his last meal at 11 AM.
