Author: openjargon

• There's a new mantra in the corporate world: sleep > caffeine. 
• "Sleep is the new coffee," longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson told the Journal.
• Experts say workers who sleep more are likely to be more productive and focused.

Some tech execs aren't starting their days anymore with a jolt of caffeine — they're betting on sleep instead.

"I think sleep is the new coffee," Bryan Johnson told The Wall Street Journal.

Johnson, who built his fortune founding companies like payments platform Braintree and neuroscience startup Kernel, is best known these days for his antiaging regimen. His doctors say it has helped him achieve the heart of a 37-year-old and the lung capacity of an 18-year-old — even though he's 46.

A good night's rest is a crucial component of his routine. Johnson has said that he is usually in bed by 8:30 p.m. and up before 6 a.m. He has his last meal by 11 a.m., so his resting heart rate is between 46 and 50 beats per minute when he goes to bed.

The notion that sleep can replace your morning coffee speaks to a growing focus on self-care in the corporate world. Workers are pushing back on the idea that they must get by on just a few hours of rest and work long, grueling days to climb the ladder.

"Now the pendulum is swinging the other way," Shane Health, the founder of Mud/Wtr, told the Journal. "How much are you taking care of yourself? Do you feel energized? Do you feel full of vitality?"

Mud/Wtr makes coffee alternatives from Ayurvedic herbs and adaptogenic mushrooms and recently opened its first non-coffee cafe in Santa Monica, where it sells smoothies and elixirs and offers yoga, breathwork classes, and cold plunge parties, the Journal reported.

And workers who prioritize their sleep and well-being are likely to be more productive, focused, and more articulate in their speech, experts say.

• The quest for longevity has gone mainstream as more people seek ways to reverse the aging process. 
• People are resorting to IV treatments, saunas, and luxury longevity clinics to extend their lifespan. 
• Here are some of the top longevity trends right now, according to industry experts. 

The quest to live longer has long been a focus of the world's wealthiest entrepreneurs. But now it's gone mainstream.

People across the country are taking prescription pills, getting specialized injections, and implementing a range of behavioral practices in the hopes of reversing aging. Research shows that these trends can slow down cellular aging, increase cognitive function, and even delay the onset of chronic diseases.

Still, it's important to view these practices simply as tools, similar to "hammers or screwdrivers," said longevity specialist Dr. Anant Vinjamoori. Their value ultimately depends on the context in which they're implemented, and it's worth tailoring your approach to suit your individual needs, he said. 

Whether you prefer the luxe atmosphere of a longevity clinic or the rush of a cold plunge, take a look at some of the most popular longevity trends sweeping the country. 

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that supports cold exposure as an anti-aging hack.

Whether you plunge into a pool of ice-cold water or try cryotherapy — which involves spending a few minutes in a below-freezing chamber — cold exposure has benefits that may help slow down the clock. 

Anant Vinjamoori, chief medical officer of longevity-focused healthcare company Modern Age, told Insider that cold exposure produces effective results in the short and long term.

A plunge into an ice-cold bath results in "a surge in the production of neurotransmitters such as epinephrine and dopamine," which have immediate rejuvenating and energizing effects, he said.

"Over the medium to long term, there is some evidence that cold exposure may reduce systemic inflammation, which is known to be a driver of many chronic diseases," Vinjamoori added. 

High-end longevity clinics that offer everything from genetic testing to cocktails of supplements are growing in popularity — especially among high-income groups.

Many of these longevity centers offer packages or retreats that can be pretty pricey — sometimes upwards of tens of thousands of dollars a week — but longevity experts contend that they are some of the best places to get practical longevity guidance. 

"The truth is that most people are probably wasting time and money on products that will never materially help them," Matt Fellowes, an advisory council member at the Stanford Center on Longevity and cofounder of health insights platform BellSant, told Business Insider by email. "One exception are some of the clinics that cater to high-income adults, which are actually science-based and, most importantly, create highly personalized assessments and guidance for people – meaning, they only focus on what their specific bodies need." 

At Clinique La Prairie — a more than 90-year-old longevity center in Switzerland — the seven-day, six-night "premium revitalization" package includes longevity consultations, sleep quality assessments, DNA tests, personalized nutrition guidance, and personal training sessions, alongside luxury accommodation and limousine service for about $53,000. The program "stimulates cell regeneration, fights the signs and causes of aging, and reinforces the immune system through a four-pillared approach of medicine, nutrition, wellbeing, and movement," a spokesperson for Clinique La Prairie previously told BI.

There are less expensive options, however.

Time-restricted eating has been shown to have a host of health benefits.

Research suggests that time-restricted eating patterns can result in health benefits for those with diabetes and obesity or even enhance the body's defenses against oxidative stress.  

"For me, the primary benefit of time-restricted eating is regulating circadian rhythms. Sleep quality almost always improves by limiting the consumption of calories in the evening hours," said Modern Age's Vinjamoori. 

Try skipping the meat and adopting a plant-based diet, instead.

Those who cut out animal protein— and stick to a relatively plant-based diet— are likely to live longer and healthier lives, according to studies. 

David Sinclair, a Harvard Medical School professor and longevity researcher, said that high animal protein diets really only help people feel better in the short term. 

"I'm convinced, and the data shows it from population studies, that a carnivorous diet is not a longevity-producing diet in the long run," he said on an episode of "The Knowledge Project Podcast."

In many of the world's Blue Zones— areas where people tend to reach the age of 100— people are likely to have a relatively plant-focused diet. 

Red light therapy uses LED lights or lasers to expose the body to red light— the longest wavelength of light on the visible spectrum.

There is research to suggest that exposing oneself to red light for five to 20 minutes may increase production of adenosine triphosphate, which is a compound that provides and stores energy for the cells. 

"While more research is needed to understand the full benefits and mechanisms of red light therapy, there is evidence to suggest it may be beneficial in improving certain skin conditions including acne, aging, hair loss, wound care, and sun damage," dermatologist Laura Buford previously told Insider. 

Supplements like NMN can help boost critical enzymes in the body to improve cellular function.

NMN, or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, is a supplement that can help boost levels of a critical coenzyme in the body called NAD+. 

NAD+ is vital in facilitating metabolic processes and maintaining healthy cellular function.

Harvard Medical School professor Sinclair — who has studied the relationship between NAD+ and aging — said in an interview with the YouTube channel Reverse Aging Revolution that the human body uses NAD+ as "a measure of adversity." As humans get older, NAD+ levels decrease, which means the body's defense enzymes and repair enzymes take a hit, and humans "succumb to aging," Sinclair said. 

Since NAD+ is a large molecule, it's difficult to take it directly. Sinclair recommends taking its building blocks like B3, Nicotinamide riboside (NR), or NMN. 

"What we've discovered in people, in clinical trials, is that the closer you get to the NAD itself, the better the boost in NAD that you get," Sinclair said, which is why he recommends NMN. 

 

 

Or try Ashwagandha, an herb that's long been used for anti-aging in Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic medicine originating in India.

The herb, often classified as an adaptogen, has a host of health benefits that range from easing anxiety and stress to soothing arthritis to boosting cognitive function. Modern Age's Vinjamoori said that ashwagandha has been shown in research studies to reduce cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, and improve sleep in people with insomnia. 

Recent research has also shown that ashwagandha could be a promising agent in anti-aging treatments. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2020 found that ashwagandha may help maintain the length of the key proteins at end of chromosomes known as telomeres. Telomeres are often shortened in the process of DNA replication which has been pointed to as the main factor that "speeds up cell ageing and promotes degeneration processes" the study noted. 

 

People that are serious about aging are also turning to prescription pills like Metformin.

Metformin, a pill prescribed for diabetes, is increasingly being used by biohackers as a way to improve how humans age and slow the onset of diseases like cancer, cognitive decline, and vision loss. 

The drug helps regulate blood sugar and decrease appetite, essentially giving the metabolism a boost and stimulating a cellular clean-up process known as autophagy, Insider reported. 

In his book Lifespan, Harvard professor Sinclair said he takes a gram of metformin every morning along with his yogurt in the hope that it will regulate his metabolism and help his organs remain younger and healthier, Insider reported. 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also said his personal antiaging regimen includes metformin. 

And Rapamycin, an immunosuppressive drug used to help treat some cancers.

It's also used in kidney transplants to help an organ recipient's body accept new kidneys, Insider reported.

The pill can slow down cellular growth and reproduction which means it might be a way to "turn down troublesome age-related inflammation," which can contribute to age-related diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, Business Insider reported.

Business Insider also previously reported that researchers have already seen rapamycin slow aging in flies, crustaceans, yeast, and mice. In humans, studies have shown that it may help improve immune function, especially in older adults.

Despite its potential to be a "fountain of youth," no one has really nailed down the right way to regulate the drug for aging.

Matt Kaeberlein, a longevity researcher studying rapamycin's effects on humans, previously told Insider that "the doses that people are taking off-label are all over the place," adding that, "it's the wild west."

Treatments like hormone therapy, in the form of pills or injections, have also surged in popularity.

The body's balance of hormones can shift with age and spur a variety of age-related conditions like weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and lower sex drive, two longevity-focused doctors told Insider. As a result, they've seen an increasing patient interest in hormone therapy.

Modern Age's Vinjamoori told Business Insider that testosterone replacement has gained popularity among men and women as it has become clear that optimal testosterone levels can impact mood, libido, and even metabolism. 

"The importance of testosterone for women, in particular, is underappreciated — testosterone is actually the most abundant hormone in a woman's body and is the first hormone to decline with age," Vinjamoori told Business Insider. 

It's not just testosterone, but also sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone that are being sought out by patients. Vinjamoori said the options for hormone therapy range from pills to creams to patches to pellets.

Peptides are another buzzy anti-aging treatment these days.

Peptides, a broad class of anti-aging and performance-enhancing treatments, have taken off in recent years among bodybuilders, athletes, and biohackers.

They're essentially short chains of amino acids that neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has described as a "new kind of wedge in between supplements and prescription pills." Some of the most popular peptide treatments are ones that release human growth hormone and can improve fat loss and muscle repair. 

"Indeed, biohackers are very excited about it because you can practically make your body do certain things," Christian Angermayer, a major investor in the longevity sector, previously told Insider. 

 

Intravenous treatments have surged in popularity for their immediate and long-term benefits.

Intravenous treatments have long been used in hospitals to administer drugs to patients. In recent years, they've become a fixture at spas, longevity clinics, and even luxury residential buildings as a way for clients to hydrate or get a boost of minerals or supplements.

At Six Senses, a luxury resort in Ibiza,  intravenous infusions are among the most popular treatments. "The direct delivery of certain nutrients via the bloodstream serves to have an instant impact on vitality whilst forming part of a broader approach to living well for longer," Dr. Tamsin Lewis, RoseBar's medical advisor, previously Business Insider.

Saunas could be a way to improve depression.

A happy and healthy mind is essential for a long life. And a new study finds that spending time in a sauna can help those battling depression. 

The study involved a clinical trial of 12 adults with major depressive disorder. Over a period of eight weeks, researchers treated them with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and sessions in a sauna heated to about 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 140 minutes. After the trial, 11 out of the 12 participants no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder. 

Individuals with depression often have a higher-than-average body temperature. When someone's symptoms improve, their body temperature normalizes, too. The study analyzed the question: If you drive up body temperatures, can you get the body's cooling systems to work faster and mitigate the symptoms of depression?

It's a little early to make definitive claims, but the study's lead researcher, Ashley Mason, eventually wants to gather enough clinical evidence for insurance companies to cover saunas as a depression treatment.

• Regular sauna sessions may help alleviate depression, a new study shows.
• The study followed 12 adults over eight weeks.
• 11 out of 12 no longer met depression criteria after the study. 

The next time you need to boost your mood: Head to the sauna. 

According to a new study conducted by Ashley Mason, a clinical psychologist at the UC San Francisco Osher Center for Integrative Health, regular sauna sessions might benefit individuals with depression.

Mason and her team conducted a clinical trial on 12 adults with major depressive disorder over eight weeks. They treated them with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and sessions in a sauna heated to about 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 140 minutes. By the end of the trial, 11 out of the 12 participants no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder.

One of the study's key ideas concerns body temperature. Research shows that individuals with depression often have a higher-than-average body temperature. When someone's symptoms improve, their body temperature normalizes, too.

That raises the hypothesis: If you drive up body temperatures, can you get the body's cooling systems to work faster and mitigate the symptoms of depression? 

This idea has long been circulating among researchers.

A paper published in 2016 found that people with major depressive disorder who went through "infrared hyperthermia"— increasing their body temperatures in an infrared chamber— saw an improvement in depression symptoms.

Mason told Wired she was "bewitched" by those findings, so as part of her work, she and her team analyzed daily temperature readings and depression symptoms from over 20,000 people to confirm the link between the two. All participants in Mason's study also saw their body temperature increase by 1.5 degrees above the average human temperature during their sauna sessions.

Mason said there's still more research that needs to be done before she can confirm that sauna therapy can combat depression. But "a mind and body treatment with that kind of outcome is surely worthy of further study," she told Wired.

She eventually wants to gather enough clinical evidence for insurance companies to cover saunas "so that when a person with depression is considering a menu of treatment options, this is on the menu."

Some therapists are already recommending sauna therapy to their clients. "My clients have reported positive mood-enhancing benefits, including some alleviation of their depression symptoms during and in the time after using saunas," Annie Wright, a licensed psychotherapist who's been practicing for over 14 years in the Bay Area, told Business Insider.

If possible, she recommends her clients combine sauna therapy with cold plunges, which can also increase the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. "I love partaking in both of these experiences because of the profound mental health benefits I experience."

• Trump is alleged to have sought $1 billion from oil executives at Mar-a-Lago for his 2024 campaign.
• He promised to lift drilling barriers, gas export moratoriums, and pollution regulations.
• Oil companies risk losing $110 billion in tax breaks if Biden's budget is enacted, said The Guardian.

Donald Trump is alleged to have made a $1 billion fundraising pitch to oil executives in a closed meeting, The Washington Post reported earlier this month, in exchange for $110 billion in savings, according to The Guardian

Trump's forward approach came as reports suggested the size of his reelection campaign war chest lags behind his Democratic opponent. Meanwhile, the former president, who is facing 88 criminal counts, indicted in four separate prosecutions, has been spending millions on legal fees and drawing on campaign funds to pay his lawyers.

A billion dollars would dramatically exceed Biden's fundraising. In March, the president's campaign said it had $192 million in the bank.

The Guardian reports that Trump assured these executives that in return for the campaign cash he would eliminate barriers to drilling, lift the moratorium on gas exports, and overturn regulations designed to reduce automotive pollution in exchange for substantial campaign donations.

The alleged offer could save the oil industry $110 billion, The Guardian said. The exclusive dinner, held at the Mar-a-Lago last month, hosted more than 20 executives from leading oil companies, including Chevron, Exxon, and Occidental Petroleum was the scene of the transactional deal, Per The Washington Post.. 

The primary incentive for the oil and gas companies to back Trump lies in preserving about $110 billion in tax breaks, which would be at risk if President Joe Biden is re-elected, reported The Guardian.

Trump was on a quest to woo oil and gas tycoons

Since taking office, Biden has placed a high priority on climate issues as he's touted tax credits for Americans to purchase electric vehicles and promoted rebates to make homes more energy efficient.

On his first day in White House, Biden rejoined the Paris climate accord, bringing the United States back into fold among nearly 200 countries that have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Biden, in also canceling the Keystone XL oil pipeline and also canceling oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeastern Alaska, that Trump says have weakened the United States on energy policy.

Lukas Ross, a campaigner at Friends of the Earth Action, who conducted the analysis shared with The Guardian, emphasized the stakes: "Big oil executives are anxious about losing $110 billion in tax benefits under Biden's policies in 2025. Trump's promise to safeguard these subsidies during tax negotiations could make his $1 billion fundraising effort seem like a minimal investment for the industry."

Trump's 2017 tax cuts significantly benefited the oil and gas sector. With some of these cuts set to expire next year, intense lobbying efforts are underway. Records show that major oil companies and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have actively engaged lawmakers to oppose Biden's tax proposals.

The high-stakes Mar-a-Lago event featured executives from smaller firms specializing in areas like fracking and gas exporting, which are particularly vulnerable to regulatory changes.

Trump is continuing to court oil industry donors, holding high-cost fundraisers with figures like John Catsimatidis, whose refinery has a poor safety record, said The Guardian.

In November, BI's John L. Dorman reported that Trump was on a quest to woo oil and gas tycoons into backing his presidential campaign.

"Trump 2024 is actively courting the right people and trying to get them on board, but specifically the oil industry," Canary LLC chief executive Dan Eberhart told the Washington Post last year.

• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky spoke to NBC News in an interview set to air on Sunday.
• Chesky said it is "hard" to enforce a carbon monoxide mandate across 220 countries and regions.
• NBC News reported that at least 19 deaths at Airbnbs involved carbon monoxide poisoning.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said enforcing certain safety measures, like carbon monoxide detectors, across all listings worldwide is "very hard."

Chesky's comments came during an interview on NBC Nightly News, which is scheduled to air on Sunday. NBC said Chesky will discuss a range of challenges facing his multibillion-dollar company.

NBC reported in November 2023 that there had been 19 deaths on Airbnb properties related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Airbnb responded to the initial deaths in 2014 by asserting it would mandate carbon monoxide detectors in all its listings but that's yet to happen, the outlet said.

While Airbnb has tackled issues like indoor security cameras with outright bans, Chesky said during Sunday's interview that addressing carbon monoxide poisoning has been a tougher obstacle.

"It is very hard to verify whether or not a property has a carbon monoxide detector, but we're working really, really hard to make sure that every single property has a verified address," he said.

He added: "It's really hard to mandate things in 220 countries and regions and cities all over the world, and then if you mandate something, you have to have a mechanism to verify that it happens."

Airbnb has 7.7 million listings worldwide and 5 million hosts. The company says that — as of December last year — it has hosted some 1.5 billion guests. Since Airbnb is a global company, it must adhere to various carbon monoxide laws and regulations.

When asked if Airbnb is "walking away" from that mandate because it may not be "realistic," Chesky said tackling carbon monoxide poisoning and enforcing detectors is still a priority.

"There's a really good question about, 'Is a mandate the right approach?'" Chesky said. "But what is absolutely the right approach is to make sure that every single listing is safe. Every single person is safe."

Airbnb began offering free combination carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to hosts in 2014. Chesky also said Airbnb provides travel information to guests visiting "high-risk" areas.

Representatives for Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Sean "Diddy" Combs apologized in an Instagram video on Sunday. 
• Video footage showed Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016.
• Combs called his behavior "inexcusable."

Sean "Diddy" Combs broke his silence after video footage showed him physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, at a California hotel in 2016.

Combs posted an Instagram video on Sunday, writing in the caption, "I'm truly sorry."

"It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that," Combs said. "I was fucked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses."

Combs called his behavior in the video "inexcusable."

"I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now," he said.

Combs said he began therapy and rehab following the events of that video.

"I'm committed to be a better man each and every day," he added.

Representatives for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Combs' statement comes after CNN published video footage from March 2016 that showed him physically assaulting Ventura at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The footage appeared to match an incident Ventura described in a 2023 lawsuit against Combs. The lawsuit said Combs got intoxicated before punching Ventura and giving her a black eye.

The footage, compiled from several camera angles, shows Ventura leaving a hotel room and approaching a set of elevators.

Combs, dressed with only a towel around his waist, then exits the hotel room and runs toward Ventura, whom he grabs by the neck and throws to the ground. The footage showed Combs shoving, dragging, kicking, and throwing an object toward Ventura.

Ventura's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, called the footage "gut-wrenching" in a statement to CNN.

"The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light," Wigdor said.

Representatives for Combs declined to comment on the video footage at the time, CNN reported.

Ventura's lawsuit against Combs accused him of rape and abuse during their decadelong relationship. Combs denied the allegations at the time.

The two reached a settlement just one day after the lawsuit was filed, according to The New York Times.

Although Ventura and Combs' legal battle was cut short, he's still embroiled in other legal troubles after several other women accused him of sexual misconduct.

The fallout has begun to affect Combs' business ventures, which span a range of industries. Revolt, a cable TV network, announced on Instagram that Combs would step down as a chairman.

According to Rolling Stone, more than 20 brands cut ties with Combs' marketplace for Black-owned businesses, Empower Global, following the accusations. The outlet also reported that Hulu canceled a planned reality TV show based on his family called "Diddy+7."

• Donald Trump hinted at extending his presidency for a third term at an National Rifle Association meeting.
• It was the former president's ninth time addressing the US's top gun lobby.
• The speech ended with a pessimistic monologue from Trump set against dramatic music.

Donald Trump hinted at extending his stay in the White House to a third term if he wins in November.

Speaking to a crowd at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting in Dallas on Saturday, he said: "You know, FDR 16 years — almost 16 years — he was four terms. I don't know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?"

Some members of the crowd cried back: "Three!"

It was the former president's ninth time addressing the US's top gun lobby, which contains some of Trump's most fervent supporters and donors.

It isn't the first time Trump has hinted at going for a third term.

On the campaign trail in 2020, he told a rally in Oshkosh, Wisconsin: "We are going to win four more years. And then after that, we'll go for another four years because they spied on my campaign. We should get a redo of four years."

But last month, in an interview with Time magazine. he seemed to dial back on his desire for a third term.

"I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track. Our country is going down. We're a failing nation right now. We're a nation in turmoil," he said.

Trump also used the event on Saturday to slam President Joe Biden for increasing restrictions on gun ownership, promising the crowd that he would reverse any gun safety provisions that Biden had implemented, per Politico.

"Crooked Joe Biden has a 40-year record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens," he said.

The speech ended with a pessimistic monologue from Trump set against dramatic music.

"Now we are a nation in decline," Trump said. "We are a failing nation. We are a nation that has the highest inflation in 58 years, where banks are collapsing, and interest rates are skyrocketing."

"We are a nation that is begging Venezuela and others for oil," he went on. "We are a nation whose leaders are demanding all-electric cars, despite the fact that they don't go far…"

The music was compared to the QAnon anthem — the conspiracy-theory-led movement that baselessly claims Trump is fighting a deep-state cabal of pedophiles.

Trump has leant hard into his support of QAnon in recent years.

The New York Times reported in September 2022 that music sounding like a QAnon song had been played at a Trump rally in Youngstown, Ohio. During the rally, the former president's supporters were also seen pointing their fingers to the sky in a one-finger salute, which experts said might have been a nod to the movement's slogan, "Where we go one, we go all."