"The Substance" Biohackers Beware, Demi Moore Stuns in a Longevity Geront-Horror Classic.
- Alastair Hunt
- Feb 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Hurrah, Demi Moore - it's great to see you back! In The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, Moore delivers a compelling performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging television aerobics host who turns to a secretive drug in a desperate bid to biohack her way back to youth. The film explores both the allure and the dangers of biohacking. While The Substance has been classified as body horror, those of us with a longevity mindset might prefer to class it as geront-horror. (Note: this article contain no spoilers)
The film has garnered critical acclaim, with Demi Moore arguably in her finest hour. Moore's portrayal of Elisabeth is both fearless and nuanced, capturing the character's vulnerability and determination. Both Margaret Qualley (Elisabeth's other self) and Dennis Quaid also deliver pitch perfect performances.
Demi Moore's role in The Substance, winning a Golden Globe (best actress in a comedy or musical) and an Oscar nomination.
The Substance is a poignant exploration of society's obsession with youth, vitality and longevity; and the lengths individuals may go to achieve it. Biohacking, while innovative, can involve the use of unproven methods to successfully lengthen life. This can range from taking experimental supplements - like the substance - to more invasive procedures. Enjoy the trailer...
The film's narrative underscores the potential dangers of such practices as well as a compelling tale of mental and social health. Elisabeth's initial success with the drug is overshadowed by unforeseen consequences, leading to a harrowing transformation. This mirrors real-world concerns where individuals, in pursuit of extended youth or enhanced abilities, might overlook the risks associated with unverified treatments. (@BryanJohnson, we thought of your recent experiment with gene therapy as shared in the Netflix documentary.)
US Supplement Use
In a virtually unregulated market, here are the stats from the USA on supplement use.
Among U.S. adults aged 20 and over, 57.6% used any dietary supplement in the past 30 days, and use was higher among women (63.8%) than men (50.8%).
Dietary supplement use increased with age, overall and in both sexes, and was highest among women aged 60 and over (80.2%).
The use of two, three, and four or more dietary supplements increased with age, while the percentage of adults not using any dietary supplement decreased with age.
The most common types of dietary supplements used by all age groups were multivitamin-mineral supplements, followed by vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
From 2007–2008 through 2017–2018, the prevalence of dietary supplement use increased in all age groups among U.S. adults.
For the horror buff the movie culminates in classic schlock-horror. For the biohacker, or anyone concerned about their own passage through time, The Substance strikes a deeper, more unsettling chord. It is a raw confrontation with the fears of aging, the pursuit of youth and the extremes one might consider to hold onto vitality. It not only offers a gripping cinematic experience but also serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unregulated medical interventions. It encourages viewers to reflect on the ethical and health implications of tampering with the natural aging process.
Before trying The Substance for yourself, try our foundational Whole Health Consult - that identifies and prioritises the key factors, known and unknown, that affect health and wellbeing. It provides targeted recommendations tailored to you, the individual, and your unique lifestyle. No Substance side-effects included.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
Ps. Anyone up for the forthcoming (In Singapore, at least) Nosferatu movie?
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Related Resources and Studies
Sandalova E, Li H, Guan L, Raj SD, Lim TG, Tian E, Kennedy BK, Maier AB. Testing the amount of nicotinamide mononucleotide and urolithin A as compared to the label claim. Geroscience. 2024 Oct;46(5):5075-5083. doi: 10.1007/s11357-024-01257-2. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38935229; PMCID: PMC11335992.
Crawford C, Avula B, Lindsey AT, Katragunta K, Khan IA, Deuster PA. Label Accuracy of Weight Loss Dietary Supplements Marketed Online With Military Discounts. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e249131. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.9131. PMID: 38691359; PMCID: PMC11063798.
Cohen PA, Avula B, Katragunta K, Travis JC, Khan I. Presence and Quantity of Botanical Ingredients With Purported Performance-Enhancing Properties in Sports Supplements. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jul 3;6(7):e2323879. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23879. PMID: 37459101; PMCID: PMC10352857.
Ghabril M, Ma J, Patidar KR, Nephew L, Desai AP, Orman ES, Vuppalanchi R, Kubal S, Chalasani N. Eight-Fold Increase in Dietary Supplement-Related Liver Failure Leading to Transplant Waitlisting Over the Last Quarter Century in the United States. Liver Transpl. 2022 Feb;28(2):169-179. doi: 10.1002/lt.26246. Epub 2021 Nov 27. PMID: 34331346.
Paek AY, Brantley JA, Evans BJ, Contreras-Vidal JL. Concerns in the Blurred Divisions between Medical and Consumer Neurotechnology. IEEE Syst J. 2021 Jun;15(2):3069-3080. doi: 10.1109/jsyst.2020.3032609. Epub 2020 Dec 18. PMID: 35126800; PMCID: PMC8813044.
Elgabry M, Nesbeth D, Johnson SD. A Systematic Review of the Criminogenic Potential of Synthetic Biology and Routes to Future Crime Prevention. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020 Oct 6;8:571672. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.571672. PMID: 33123514; PMCID: PMC7573185.
Zettler PJ, Guerrini CJ, Sherkow JS. Regulating genetic biohacking. Science. 2019 Jul 5;365(6448):34-36. doi: 10.1126/science.aax3248. PMID: 31273115; PMCID: PMC7004414.
Costa JG, Vidovic B, Saraiva N, do Céu Costa M, Del Favero G, Marko D, Oliveira NG, Fernandes AS. Contaminants: a dark side of food supplements? Free Radic Res. 2019;53(sup1):1113-1135. doi: 10.1080/10715762.2019.1636045. Epub 2019 Sep 10. PMID: 31500469.
Horror fans: while the move has been categorised as body-horror, we prefer the term geront-horror although this has yet to be recognised.
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