Health gurus are often at the forefront of health movements. But the wealthy are usually those at the tip of the spear, something that’s now clear to members of the public because of social media.
It’s no secret that wealth creates health and wellness opportunities that aren’t available to the average person. However, during the last 20 years or so, this has gone into overdrive. Wealthy individuals now have access to a plethora of technologies and innovations that simply weren’t available before. Many are actively using their teams to research the latest protocols and discover new methods of achieving greater health.
Experimental Treatments
Part of this movement is the drive toward more experimental treatments. The wealthy are keen to see what technology is able to help them achieve. Many view it as a way to bypass traditional drug development timelines and access the medications or protocols they need before they are ready for prime time.
For example, tech moguls reportedly experiment with advanced compounds shown to extend the lifespan of lab animals. These might include things like NR or fucoidan.
Interestingly, many of these gurus are actively involved in science themselves. These professionals spend lots of time on PubMed and other publications, looking for information that might allow them to live longer and healthier lives. Then, they share this information with their social media followers or colleagues.
Medical Evacs
The wealthy are also exploring medical evacs and leveraging these when they get sick. Some are hiring a private air ambulance, according to Air Charter Advisors, if they find themselves in sticky situations abroad.
“Medical evacuation flights usually occur on commercial airliners, but these aren’t ideal,” the agency explains. “Wealthy individuals don’t want to travel in a delicate state with dozens of other passengers with them. The risk of infection or worsening medical conditions is high.”
That is where newfangled medical evacs enter the picture. These provide transport for non-emergency patients once they’ve stabilized.
“Many wealthy people go abroad for medical procedures but want to fly home in luxury. They can’t usually get that on a regular commercial jet, even if they pay for first class, so chartering a medical flight is often the only option. Planes with wheelchair accessibility are rare, but most private charters can make patients significantly more comfortable, particularly on shorter flights of 8 hours or less.”
Wearables
Then, of course, the wealthy are experimenting with wearables. High-net-worth individuals want to monitor their life signs and biosignals to optimize their health long-term.
This technology is currently advancing rapidly and offers a promising way to avoid constant blood tests and trips to the doctor’s office. Modern wristwatches and rings have advanced sensors that can track multiple biomarkers with exceptional accuracy, enabling more effective biohacking.
However, simple tracking isn’t the end of the story for many of these enthusiasts. Wealthy people are also turning their homes into quasi-clinics.
For example, millionaire Bryan Johnson has a full clinical setup in his house which includes hyperbaric oxygen chambers, red light stations, and RF lasers. Others are adding glucose monitors and neural interfaces.
The hope is that this technology will open up a future of human biological augmentation. These enthusiasts see a future where technology enables new health protocols and allows lifespan and healthspan extension beyond the norm.
Concierge Medicine
Related to this is the idea of “concierge” medicine. Wealthy people are maintaining teams of doctors and other specialists, just in case they require them. This approach is similar to businesses keeping lawyers or accountants on retainer. It’s just so much more convenient than waiting for a doctor’s appointment.
Wealthy individuals don’t want to have to wait in line for things like genetic tests or blood panels. They want results quickly so that they can resolve whatever health issue is affecting them or their family. Furthermore, they don’t want to wait until the next morning for service. They want it now.
With private health coverage, that level of service isn’t available. However, when a doctor is on-call at any time, it gives many wealthy people a sense of peace of mind.
Of course, many concierge healthcare providers offer tailored healthcare protocols based on wealthy individuals’ lifestyles. They also provide bespoke plans and off-label drugs, like metformin for longevity, that might not be available otherwise.
Exotic Wellness Retreats
Exotic wellness retreats are another way the wealthy are taking their health to the next level. Many are going to far-flung destinations to explore experimental practices and to see how they can incorporate them into their lives.
For example, many Swiss clinics offer coveted ozone therapy. Meanwhile, Costa Rica offers various retreats designed to support mental clarity and spiritual richness.
“Many clients who charter private jets want to go to these locations,” says AirCharter Advisors. “They want to visit these locations but avoid the problems associated with conventional travel options, like commercial airliners. Going on a wellness retreat, they believe, should reduce stress, and so riding a conventional airliner isn’t always the ideal mode of transport.”
Many wealthy people stay at these retreats for extended periods, especially after intense periods of work. Visits can last for months in some cases to help get the body and mind back on track.
Private Research Funding
Finally, and perhaps most extravagantly, wealthy individuals commission private research. Instead of waiting for insights from mainstream science, they plow money into science themselves, looking for promising new treatments or protocols that can help them and everyone else live long and healthy lives.
Sometimes, this approach takes the form of bankrolling startups. Wealthy individuals will put their money behind firms they believe will make great products that are useful to health enthusiasts and, perhaps, the general public. Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel have both done this.
Others put their money into research labs that push the agenda forward. Again, these focus on primary research and new science, looking for breakthroughs.
Ultimately, the wealthy lead the way with new health protocols. Usually, they are the first to try them, with everyone else following along afterward.
