3 Longevity Ideas Until Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV).

Mankind is obsessed with Longevity. Nobody knows since when? Pioneers like Alexander Fleming changed the world with the serendipitous discovery of Penicillin. Due to this, the average human age has gone up by 40 odd years in the last century. But, there has not been a major breakthrough in Individual longevity.

Most of our species don't reach the 90s. Humans have been documented to live well into the 80s ten centuries ago also. Ogimi in Japan, Hunza in Pakistan, Corsica in South America, or Naples in Italy with Centenarians is an aberration. But, this is set to change. Individual longevity is reaching a tipping point!

For the first time in our history, we are not too far from achieving a very long life. A life until 120! or maybe 150 or more? Not only long but years full of vigor and good health. Brilliant scientific minds are at work to reverse aging.

You may wonder what has happened suddenly to inspire such confidence? Decades of hard work by and perseverance of Longevity pioneers & their research on mice, flies have led to path-breaking discoveries. We now know that blind mice can regrow their damaged optic nerve. Not only this, You can regenerate your senescent body cells to become young again with the help of the Yamanaka factor!

Rejuvenating a human organ was a wild fantasy until a few years ago. Or it was believed if your parents did not freeze your Stem cells in the umbilical cord, you lost the opportunity to regenerate your damaged DNA. This is set for a change. Read what a pioneer Dr. David Sinclair has to say on this:

As to Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV), a term coined by biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey, it is the desired state where life extension is extended longer than the time that is passing.

At present, a year of research is needed to 1-year life extension. Given the scientific breakthroughs, we will soon reach a stage where this matrix will change. Life extension will exceed a year of research on life extension. This favorable matrix is LEV. You may achieve 2 years or more of life extension by a single year of scientific breakthroughs. You can simply walk into a Physicians's lab and get rejuvenation therapy year after year. You may live until you decide to otherwise! What a privileged state to be in?

Ray Kurzweil in his book Fantastic Voyage: live long enough to live forever said this “ If middle-aged people can live long enough to be 120, they can live forever”. Kurzweil also wrote, “ ultimately it is the death that gives meaning to life”. This change can make life meaningless. In my optimistic view, though, once You are there, you will prove Kurzweil wrong!

And according to Aubrey de Grey, “ There is a 50% probability that LEV shall be reached by 2036”. While mice research has been very encouraging, human trials are finally getting underway. Given all this, you can envision the future of our species. This is what Aubrey de Grey has to say :

We are lucky to witness such exciting events in our lives. If you are middle-aged, you have a high probability of living a very long life. Just follow Kurzwells advice to try and live up to 120. From there on, things may reach a tipping point.

And, how does one do that? Follow David Sinclair's suggestions in his book lifespan. The book may get too academic at times, but it is full of great actionable advice. Coming from a highly credible source, it is critical. The gist of some anti-aging techniques qua Lifespan: Is aging natural or just a disease can be very handy to you in an earlier article written by me.

METHUSALERITY

You probably have heard of Methuselah. To refresh you, he was a Biblical Patriarch relevant to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity who lived for 969 years. The oldest recorded human in history. It is not archaeologically verified though. Then, there is Bhishma Pitamah in Indian mythology who lived close to 2 centuries. He had the divine blessing of euthanasia. The real point is if Mehusalerity is achieved, what will be its purpose? Why live forever? After all, Human ambition, vainglory is endless. Our Planet is already under stress due to too 7.6 billion people. Then why do it at all?

Compassion for the old and infirm is the driver of the Pioneers of the anti-aging revolution. If Suffering in old age can be wiped off, it's a lofty goal to pursue. That is where I connect with it, having seen my loved ones suffer due to old age. That is why the likes of Sinclair and Aubrey de grey are the idols of multitudes to look up to.

Live healthy, live long

I would love to hear from you on my Twitter account in case you have any constructive feedback or ideas.

up until my next article

goodbye and be in the best possible health

The Ageless Mystic