Biohacker Bryan Johnson recently made headlines by sharing his experience of taking magic mushrooms live on social media.

The 48-year-old, who asserts that his biological age is over a decade younger than his chronological age, has been a long-time supporter of psychedelics for their transformative mental effects.

In his latest venture into longevity practices, Johnson consumed 4.67 grams of dried magic mushrooms, which contained 24.9 mg of psilocybin, and shared the ensuing experience across his social media channels.

Images uploaded online captured various phases of his psychedelic journey.

In the early stage, he is seen laying on the floor with an eye mask on, under a blanket in an apparent state of contentment, but then after getting up to go to the bathroom, an accompanying caption explains that he spent 10 minutes staring at a glass of water, asking his colleagues ‘what does it mean?’

As the effects of the mushrooms began to fade, additional images depicted Johnson in a blissful state while enjoying a bowl of salad, which he enthusiastically declared to be the ‘best salad’ he had ever tasted.

His business associate, Kate Tolo, mentioned on his X account that Johnson ‘deliberately chose a mushroom for his first bite and expressed gratitude to it,’ while still under the influence of the psychedelic experience.

After the effect of the magic mushrooms had fully worn off, Johnson said the drugs made him ‘feel like a kid [again], finding and exploring a new playground’ as all of his senses were heightened. 

Biohacker Bryan Johnson has caused a stir after documenting what it was like taking magic mushrooms live on social media

He added: ‘First, the experience was exhilarating. Positive in every way. 

‘My sensory perception was dialed up to levels I must have felt as a kid but have been dulled with time. I experienced sense of touch with awe. 

‘It felt like mushrooms restored my perception to youthful levels, returning them to factory settings and dissolving my aged numbness. 

‘Once my senses were reset, my attention sifted from the texture of existence to existence itself.’

Many viewers deemed the content ‘amazing’ and ‘entertaining’, while some said it was the happiest they have ever seen Johnson look. 

Others, however, slammed Johnson for promoting psychedelics, with one commenter writing: ‘Psychedelics are dangerous, I don’t care what anyone says.’

The main active ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin. In the body, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which causes the psychedelic effects by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. 

The psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms can include vivid visual and auditory distortions, such as enhanced colors, moving patterns, and altered perception of time and space. Emotions often intensify, leading to feelings of euphoria, awe, or anxiety. 

Thoughts may also become more fluid or profound, sometimes producing a sense of insight or connection. 

The biohacker explained that he conducted the stunt ‘under medical supervision, in a legal setting, and with a professional facilitator.’

He added: ‘This post is for educational purposes. If you’re curious for yourself, speak with your doctor.’

The 48-year-old, who claims to be more than a decade younger biologically than his actual age, has long been an advocate of psychedelics for their mind-altering effects

The biohacker explained that he conducted the stunt ‘under medical supervision, in a legal setting, and with a professional facilitator’

In the US, psilocybin is classified at the federal level as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is illegal to possess, distribute, or manufacture.

However, several states have modified state laws to allow for limited use, decriminalization, or supervised therapeutic access

While Johnson lives in California, magic mushrooms are not legal there and he does not disclose where he bought or consumed the mushrooms.

Johnson’s facilitator, who is not identified, explains that the magic mushroom powder is best mixed with orange juice as it helps to prevent nausea and produces a faster onset.

She explained that by using this technique, someone should feel the effects in about 20 to 30 minutes, with the peak two to three hours after. The trip should start dissipating around another two hours or so. 

In further posts, Johnson is seen laying on the floor wearing a brain monitor and eye mask as the magic mushrooms kick in. 

Tolo informed his fans on X that it had been around one hour since he took his dose of magic mushrooms. 

She added: ‘Some of his observations so far: loves the drums music he’s listening to. Apparently he started learning this style of drums years ago? Described the dose as ‘calm and pleasant’. 

‘He’s having a REALLY lovely time. [His] sense of time is definitely warped. 

‘He thinks more time has passed than it has. [He] thinks he has peaked and he felt a strong desire to look after the people in the room… checking if we’re ok. 

‘He asked me if I had eaten. We told him that we’re all good and that he can focus on himself and the experience and visual hallucinations are happening.

When Johnson ate a bowl of salad, he declared it the ‘best salad’ he had ever eaten

Many viewers deemed the content ‘amazing’ and ‘entertaining’, while some said it was the happiest they have ever seen Johnson look. Above, Johnson pictured with his business partner Kate Tolo

‘As I am typing this he started giggling. He’s having a fantastic time.’

In a second update, Tolo said Johnson needed to get up to use the bathroom and upon returning to his blanket on the floor, he stared at his water cup for 10 minutes. 

In later posts, Johnson’s ‘trip’ continued as he struggled to spit into a vial for a health test and then pangs of hunger kicked in. 

Johnson said he decided to take a dose of magic mushrooms once a month for the next three months to explore the potential health benefits. 

Some of the potential benefits he highlighted on X from psilocybin include reduced inflammation in cells tied to aging, improved cognition, improved gut health, and enhanced sexual satisfaction. 

A recent study published this year by scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and Emory University in Georgia found that psilocybin treatment extended both cellular and animal lifespan, even when the treatment was initiated late in life.

In the study, female mice that were 19 months old were given monthly psilocybin treatments for 10 months. Researchers found 80 percent of the treated mice were still alive, compared to only 50 percent of the untreated control mice.

Although the researchers did not closely track behavior or disease progression, they also noted that the treated mice appeared healthier, showing better fur quality and fewer signs of aging. 

On getting his phone back at the end of his first magic mushroom experiment, Johnson revealed that the magic mushrooms had had a profound effect on his outlook on life.

He wrote: ‘Yes, this trip changed me. Probably not as you’d expect.

‘People assume I am fearful of death. I’m not. In my darkest days of depression, I reconciled with death.

‘Need a few days to collect my thoughts. Will share more soon… I’m just so happy to be alive.’