'World wants me to die': Bryan Johnson to people after announcing his incurable autoimmune gastritis disease, claims he is similar to 'Jesus'

Tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson has published a lengthy statement after revealing that he has Autoimmune Gastritis (AIG), saying that "the world wants me to die" following his diagnosis. The post has gone viral on X, garnering more than 1.2 million views in less than 12 hours.

Johnson said news of his incurable disease became global news, describing it as "omnipresent" on social media and claiming that nearly 1,900 articles were published within days. While many people expressed sadness over his diagnosis, he said joy dominated much of the online commentary.

According to Johnson, many social media users suggested that he "deserved it" because of his efforts to challenge ageing and death through his longevity research.

Johnson says reaction reflects more than schadenfreude

Johnson said some people attributed the reaction to schadenfreude, or pleasure derived from another person's misfortune, but argued that the response reflected something deeper.

He said people often take satisfaction in seeing someone fail, particularly when that person's actions threaten their own psychological stability or make them question deeply held beliefs.

Referring to comments claiming that he "deserved it," Johnson said he believes many people reacted that way because he has openly challenged the idea that death is inevitable.

Draws parallels with Gilgamesh, Asclepius and Jesus

Johnson argued that the reaction follows one of humanity's oldest recurring narratives.

He referred to the Epic of Gilgamesh, written around 4,000 years ago, in which Gilgamesh seeks eternal life after losing someone he loves, only to lose the plant of youth to a serpent and ultimately accept mortality.

He also cited the story of Asclepius, who, according to Greek mythology, became so skilled at rejuvenation that he raised the dead before Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt to preserve the natural order of life and death.

Johnson further referenced the story of Jesus, saying Pontius Pilate offered the crowd a choice between a thief and "the immortalist," with the crowd demanding Jesus' execution.

'The challenger must lose'

According to Johnson, these stories continue to shape modern attitudes towards death.

He argued that people need the challenger to fail because it helps preserve their own worldview. In his words, "the challenger must lose and the loss must appear deserved."

Johnson said this functions as a form of psychological self-preservation.

He argued that if death is accepted as inevitable, people can justify both their own mortality and that of their loved ones. However, if death is not inevitable, he said, many assumptions about reality begin to unravel.

Says he occupies the same philosophical position
Johnson said he occupies "the same philosophical and archetypal position" as Gilgamesh, Asclepius and Jesus because all three challenged humanity's relationship with death.

He acknowledged that making such a comparison would likely provoke accusations of blasphemy, hubris and narcissism, but said the pattern has repeated itself for thousands of years.

Johnson added that death has always been humanity's greatest concern, shaping its fears, joys and curiosities. While discussions around death have evolved over time, he argued that the underlying beliefs have remained largely unchanged.

'Physical death may no longer be inevitable'

Johnson said what distinguishes the present era from any other is the possibility that physical death may no longer be inevitable.

He concluded his statement by asking, "What if I didn't deserve it?" and "What if I am your ally, and not a threat?"

Johnson thanks supporters as post goes viral

Amid the widespread reaction, Johnson later posted a comment under his own X post, urging followers not to be saddened by his diagnosis and thanking those who had supported him.

"Friends, no need to be sad about this," he wrote.

Johnson said that despite the criticism, many people had reached out with messages, public posts of support and private acts of kindness.

"I feel emboldened by the diagnosis. I want this challenge and I'm hungry for it. No amount of optimism can fully capture what awaits us and I'm glad to be on the same journey for those of you who believe the same," he added.

Johnson diagnosed with Autoimmune Gastritis

Johnson recently disclosed that he has Autoimmune Gastritis, a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks cells in the stomach lining responsible for producing acid and absorbing nutrients.

The disease can cause irreversible stomach damage, nutritional deficiencies, anaemia and an increased long-term risk of cancer.

According to Johnson, the condition was discovered in May after years of unexplained low ferritin levels and was confirmed through specialised antibody tests and stomach biopsies. His medical team also identified a history of autoimmune thyroid disease, which is known to co-occur with Autoimmune Gastritis.

Managing condition with ongoing treatment

Although there is no known cure for Autoimmune Gastritis, Johnson said he is managing the condition with vitamin B12 injections and intravenous iron therapy. He added that he is also exploring experimental immune-targeted treatments.