Controversy Surrounding Bryan Johnson and Air Pollution Concerns

US millionaire and anti-ageing advocate Bryan Johnson is currently facing controversy after he abruptly left Nikhil Kamath’s “WTF” podcast due to concerns about air pollution. This decision led to a notable backlash from Delhi-based dermatologist Dr. Shikhar Ganjoo, who mocked Johnson’s health philosophy in a viral post on social media.

In a tweet on X, Dr. Ganjoo stated that Johnson’s views on longevity are a laughable and deluded obsession with cleanliness. He expressed that every aspect of Johnson’s statements is steeped in pseudo-scientific desperation, transforming his lifestyle into a grandiose farce. Dr. Ganjoo remarked that Johnson’s inflexible health practices are not motivating but rather a depressing parody of what it means to live.

In response to the criticism, Johnson, known for his rigorous wellness routines and investments in health tech, offered a cryptic retort by inquiring how Dr. Ganjoo had slept the previous night.

The controversy ignited when Johnson, who was in India for the podcast recording, chose to shorten the session due to the poor air quality. He explained his early departure by stating, “When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. Nikhil Kamath was a gracious host and we were having a great time. The problem was that the room we were in circulated outside air, which made the air purifier I’d brought with me ineffective.”

Dr. Ganjoo on Twitter:
@bryan_johnson longevity rant is a laughable, deluded OCD tirade. Every word reeks of pseudo-scientific desperation, turning his life into a pompous farce. His rigid rituals are not inspiring but they are a miserable mockery of living. #LongevityFad #Pseudoscience…

By the third day of his stay in India, Johnson reported developing throat irritation and a skin rash due to pollution. He voiced his concerns about how air pollution has become so commonplace in the country that people hardly take notice, despite the well-documented negative impacts it has.

Following the incident, Nithin Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and Nikhil Kamath’s brother, shared his insights, mentioning that Johnson had helped him dispel a prior belief. He stated that the most significant lesson he learned from Johnson was that it is a misconception to think only Delhi suffers from air quality issues and that these problems are only prevalent in winter.

The event has ignited discussions online, with some individuals supporting Johnson’s concerns, while others have taken him to task for travelling to India despite being aware of its air quality challenges.