Yoga guru Ramdev and tech millionaire Bryan Johnson recently clashed online over India’s air quality and the science of anti-aging.
The exchange began when Ramdev, known for promoting Ayurveda and natural health remedies, posted a tweet advocating Patanjali’s Swarn Shilajit and Immunogrit Gold for strength, immunity, and longevity.
घोड़े की तरह तेज़ दौड़ने की ताक़त, Strong Immunity, Anti-aging और Power चाहिए तो Swarn Shilajit व Immunogrit Gold खाइए#immunity #antiaging #shilajit pic.twitter.com/VGzLrFt776
— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) February 18, 2025
In response to Ramdev, Bryan Johnson, a biohacker who has spent millions on his anti-aging regimen, highlighted the air pollution in Haridwar.
Also Read: Turmeric Milk: Acharya Balkrishna’s miracle cure for immunity & wellness
“Air quality in Haridwar right now is PM₂.₅ 36 µg/m³, which is equal to smoking 1.6 cigarettes a day. This raises risks of heart disease by 40–50%, lung cancer by 3x, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and early death (5–7 years lost),” he tweeted.
I replied with this comment and he hid it and blocked me:
Air quality in Haridwar right now is
PM₂.₅ 36 µg/m³ which is equal to smoking 1.6 cigarettes a day. This raises risks of heart disease by 40–50%, lung cancer by 3x, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and early death… pic.twitter.com/z99RZDjXar— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) February 19, 2025
Johnson later claimed that Ramdev blocked him after this comment.
Ramdev, however, did not stay silent. He fired back with a video showcasing Haridwar’s air quality and extended an invitation to Johnson.
“Dear @bryan_johnson ji, we are sharing a video with proof of #Haridwar Yoggram’s excellent Air Quality Index #AQI. We invite you to explore India’s yoga and yogis with a neutral and scientific perspective. The scientific approach to anti-aging is rooted in #yoga, #Ayurveda, and nature,” he wrote. He also proposed a podcast discussion on healthy living and aging solutions backed by evidence.
Dear @bryan_johnson ji
We are sharing a video with proof of #Haridwar Yoggram’s excellent Air Quality Index #AQI . We invite you to explore India’s yoga and yogis with a neutral and scientific perspective. The scientific approach to anti-aging is rooted in #yoga, #Ayurveda, and… pic.twitter.com/w8bXHhh723— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) February 21, 2025
Johnson’s concerns over air pollution in India are not new. He recently made headlines when he abruptly left Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, citing air quality issues.
“The room we were in circulated outside air, making the air purifier I had brought ineffective,” he later explained. According to Johnson, his short stay in India had already impacted his health, reinforcing his argument about the dangers of air pollution.