Bryan Johnson isn’t packing plastic… anymore.
Last month, the biohacker known for his extreme longevity protocols had social media in a frenzy after boasting about his girlfriend’s ‘top 1%’ vagina. Now, he’s taking the subject even further south.
“I have no microplastics in my balls,” the 48-year-old declared in an X post. “This should not be possible.”
Johnson cited five different studies that suggest 100% of men have some amount of microplastics in their sperm. He claims that a complete reduction to zero has never been done before. But, after making some serious lifestyle changes, he says he’s been able to pull off the impossible: a completely plastic-free finish.
“I had 165 microplastic particles in my semen just 18 months ago,” Johnson told his followers. “Now, I have zero.”
Long-term exposure to forever chemicals like Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with serious adverse health risks, and Johnson points to research that shows swimmers aren’t exempt.
Johnson says PFAS exposure is linked to a 60% reduction in normally shaped sperm, while PTFEs are associated with higher odds of low sperm count, reduced motility and lower concentration. He argues this data matters, even for men who aren’t trying to have children.
“Sperm count is one of the cleanest biomarkers of overall health we have,” he explained. “And microplastics don’t stop at the testes. The same particles are showing up everywhere we look.”
According to Johnson, it took over a year to scrub the microplastics from his sperm. There are three main interventions he attributes to the drop: regular dry sauna sessions, using a reverse osmosis water filter and swapping typical plastic products in his home for non-toxic options.
“I did all three interventions at the same time,” he added. “I cannot say which one did the most work. What I can say is this: Going from 165 to zero in 18 months is possible.”
He acknowledges that his personal protocol isn’t technically hard science — it wasn’t a controlled trial. Nonetheless, this is what worked for him:
Johnson suggests investing in a reverse osmosis water filter, a purification system that has been shown to remove up to 99% off contaminations, including heavy metals like lead and mercury, as well as PFAS.
On Amazon, a third-party tested and certified countertop system typically retails for around $270.
“Drinking water is likely a major source of microplastics getting into your body,” Johnson explained. “A reverse osmosis filter pushes water through a very tight membrane and strains the particles out.”
Johnson says that he filters everything he drinks.
The biohacker also recommends using a dry sauna.
While it’s certainly a bigger investment, some compact infrared models are available for under $700, and the benefits are said to go bar beyond microplastic detox.
“My toxin blood panel confirms sauna clears plastic-related chemicals,” he noted. “BPA, phthalates, PFAS, flame retardants, pesticides.”
Johnson points out that humans have very few enzymes capable of breaking down plastics, so the body must expel them physically, and sauna use is one of the things that can support the process.
“The plastic particles themselves are too big to sweat out directly. Heat may activate other clearance routes: bile flow through the liver, the cell’s internal cleanup system and the gut barrier.”
One of the more challenging interventions, according to Johnson, was eliminating the “big plastic items” from his environment.
“As hard as I try, I’m always finding new plastic things in my life,” he admitted. “This can be an all-consuming thing, so try to just knock out the big ones.”
His list included utensils, cups, plates, food storage containers, non-stick pans, cling wrap, tea bags, water bottles, kitchen utensils, kettles and synthetic clothing.
For those looking to make healthier swaps, several cookware brands are often highlighted for being non-toxic and free of PFAS and PFOA, including CAROTE, Caraway, and GreenPan.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
