Chris Hemsworth questions 'cost' of extreme biohacking as he opens up about Alzheimer's risk

Yahoo

4 hours ago

The Thor star, 41, says there is a 'fine line' between trying to live forever and enjoying life for as long as possible.
Chris Hemsworth has spoken out against turning to extreme methods to live longer, as he reflects on his own journey with ageing and wellness.
The Thor star, 41, discovered in 2022 that he is at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, following a gene test that revealed he has two copies of the APOE4 gene.
The result arrived while he was filming the first season of Limitless, a National Geographic series in which he explored ways to age well and improve longevity.
Speaking to the BBC, Hemsworth said that while the discovery prompted him to take better care of his health, he has "no interest to explore" the world of biohacking.
Biohacking refers to a range of experimental approaches to "hack" human biology in order to improve health and wellness.
The practice can involve small changes like dietary adjustments or using wearable technology, to the more extreme interventions of using technology or drugs to alter bodily functions.
In recent years, American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson shot to fame for his biohacking interventions, which include spending millions of dollars on treatments, tests and scans, and taking numerous supplements and pills every single day.
The 47-year-old claims he is trying to reverse ageing and wants to extend his lifespan. He documented his attempts and his anti-ageing regimen in the 2020 Netflix documentary Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.
But Hemsworth questioned whether it was worth committing to a life of "isolation" in order to extend one's lifespan, adding that while he plans to "put energy into health and wellness", he also wants to enjoy everything life has to offer.
"You want to live a longer and better life, but at what cost? You could have your exact routine, but there's no point doing all of that if you're isolated and lonely at home," he said.
He added that his own approach to longevity was to keep an open mind to how "different pieces of science resonate at different times in your life".
Hemsworth also commented on the idea of living forever, and he doubted that anyone would ever be able to figure out how to cheat death.
"Suffering comes from denial of our inevitability of death – we all have an expiration [date]," he said. "If you were told you had 200 years guaranteed, you'd become more complacent and reckless.
"The idea that life can be taken away at any second is a beautiful reminder to appreciate every moment."
Hemsworth's increased Alzheimer's risk
The Australian actor previously revealed what a "shock" it was to receive the "intense" news about his risk of developing Alzheimer's due to his genetic make-up.
He told Men's Health of the changes he made to improve and protect his health after the discovery, including reducing the amount of exercise he does.
The move came as a surprise to fans, as Hemsworth is known for his muscular stature particularly in his role as Thor, but he explained that he felt it was important to "make time for stillness".
Instead of the intense body-building exercises he was accustomed to, Hemsworth said he was "lifting less frequently", opting instead for "more cardio and endurance workouts".
He also told the outlet that he is sleeping more regularly and having ice baths.
Hemsworth appears in the forthcoming second series of Limitless: Live Better Now, which will be available to stream on Disney+ from 15 August.
He lives in Byron Bay, with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky, and their three children, daughter India Rose Hemsworth and twin boys Sasha and Tristan Hemsworth.
Read more about ageing and longevity:
8 ways to boost longevity and reduce 'inflamm-ageing', according to a doctor (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Four lifestyle habits that might just help you live to 100 (The Conversation, 5-min read)
The healthiest agers followed this diet, according to a sweeping 30 year longevity study (Fortune, 3-min read)