Age reversing CEO Bryan Johnson recently visited India to promote his book Don’t Die. While there, he appeared on a podcast hosted by Zerodha c -founder Nikhil Kamath. Johnson arrived with a mask and air purifier but left midway, citing India’s poor air quality as the reason for his departure.

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Johnson Explains His Early Exit
After returning to the U.S., Johnson shared the reason for leaving the podcast session early in a social media post. “Nikhil Kamath was a gracious host, and we were enjoying ourselves. The issue was that the room circulated outside air, which made the air purifier I had brought ineffective,” Johnson explained on X (formerly Twitter).
The Impact of India’s Air Quality on Johnson
He further detailed, “Inside, the AQI was 130, and PM2.5 levels were 75 µg/m³, equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes over 24 hours. By the third day in India, the air pollution caused a rash on my skin, and my eyes and throat were burning.”
Air Pollution Normalized in India
During his six day stay, Johnson observed that air pollution had become largely normalized in India. Many people were not wearing masks, even when the air quality was hazardous. “Air pollution has become so normalized in India that people no longer seem to notice it, even though its harmful effects are well documented,” he said.He went on to describe seeing people running outdoors, along with babies and children exposed to pollution from birth, with no one wearing masks. “It was truly baffling,” he remarked.
Johnson’s Call for Action
Johnson emphasized that the air quality at such levels should be declared a national emergency. He also stated that improving air quality in India would have a far more significant impact on public health than discovering a cure for all cancers.
A Return to the U.S. Highlights Obesity Concerns
Upon his return to the U.S., Johnson noted how normalized obesity had become. “When I got back, my fresh perspective made me realize how prevalent obesity is. 42.4% of Americans are obese, and because I had been surrounded by it, I hadn’t fully noticed it,” Johnson said. He added, “In many ways, obesity can be more damaging in the long run than air pollution.”
A Journalist’s Report on the Podcast Incident
The 47-year old’s social media post responded to a journalist’s claim about his early exit. Journalist Ravi Prakash Kumar wrote, “Let this sink in. Bryan Johnson visited India for the first time to record a podcast with Nikhil Kamath. During the shoot, which took place at a five-star hotel with an air purifier, he wore an N95 mask. Despite these precautions, he left midway, unable to handle the room’s AQI, which was around 120.”