"But whereas in earlier times ideas about wellness could travel only as fast as the people who held them, today just about anyone with an internet connection can use social media and AI-generated graphics to sell medical advice in seconds. Despite a decided shortage of placebo-controlled trials in humans to support that advice, the business of longevity is booming, thanks in large part to sleek direct-to-consumer marketing delivered by health influencers with far more confidence than evidence."
"Patients arrive at my office convinced that the right peptides, cold plunges, or lab tests can meaningfully extend their lives. They're almost certainly headed for disappointment-if not harm. In many ways, the American people owe a debt of gratitude to the early champions of longevity medicine. Throughout the 20th century, Western physicians focused primarily on treating disease rather than preventing it."
Humans have long sought eternal youth, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to legends of the Fountain of Youth. Today's longevity-medicine movement channels that desire while digital platforms and AI enable rapid spread of unverified medical advice. Many longevity products lack placebo-controlled human trials, yet direct-to-consumer marketing and confident health influencers drive a booming market projected to reach $8 trillion annually by 2030. Clinicians report patients pursuing peptides, cold plunges, and diagnostic tests hoping to extend life, often risking disappointment or harm. A recent shift toward prevention emphasizes sleep, exercise, and healthy diet, and private investment has surged into longevity-focused interventions.
Read at The Atlantic
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