Podcast Summary: The Ronan Levy Podcast Episode: Dr. Jared Pelo: An Honest Conversation About Longevity
Release Date: November 5, 2024
Host: Ronan Levy
Guest: Dr. Jared Pelo, Chief Medical Officer of Bionic Health

1. Introduction

In this enlightening episode of The Ronan Levy Podcast, host Ronan Levy engages in a deep and honest conversation with Dr. Jared Pelo, the Chief Medical Officer of Bionic Health. Dr. Pelo brings a wealth of experience from both the medical and entrepreneurial worlds, having spearheaded multiple health-related startups and served as an emergency medicine physician. Unlike some figures in the longevity space who offer provocative or questionable advice, Dr. Pelo stands out as a sensible, open-minded, and thoughtful expert dedicated to advancing personalized precision preventative medicine.

2. Dr. Jared Pelo’s Journey into Medicine

Dr. Pelo shares his unconventional path to medicine, highlighting personal challenges and transformations.

• Initial Aspirations and Religious Upbringing:
  [01:36] Dr. Jared Pelo explains, “I grew up in Utah, raised in the LDS Church. I went on a mission right after high school and worked in hospitals in Argentina, which ignited my passion for medicine.”

• Academic Struggles and Determination:
  Despite academic difficulties, Dr. Pelo pursued medical school to follow his newfound passion. [03:29] “I finally had something I cared about that I wanted to do and so went through medical school.”

• Personal Struggles During Medical Training:
  Dr. Pelo candidly discusses his maladaptive behaviors during medical school and residency, including workaholism and self-harm, which were exacerbated by the dehumanizing nature of medical training.
  [03:33] “I was a workaholic. I put my work in front of my own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those I loved.”

3. Mental Health and Self-Acceptance

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Dr. Pelo’s mental health journey and the role of therapy and psychedelics in his healing process.

• Therapeutic Journey:
  [05:15] Dr. Pelo recounts engaging in therapy to address his self-loathing and maladaptive behaviors. He describes finding a transformative therapist who guided him through a healing process, ultimately leading to self-forgiveness and compassion.
  [08:07] “I got to the point where I had dealt with so much, but I just could never forgive myself. I had been looking at lots of different ways to work on this, and one of those was psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.”

• Ketamine Therapy Experience:
  Dr. Pelo describes his experience with ketamine therapy as life-changing, though not in an overtly dramatic sense. [08:06] “I was not that impressed with ketamine, but it was a life-changing experience because something softened in me.”

• Impact on Self-Perception and Relationships:
  The therapy led to subtle yet profound changes in how Dr. Pelo views himself and interacts with others.
  [10:05] “There are things I cannot explain with my intellect, something changed, and that has been remarkable for me and allowed me to progress in ways I never thought it could.”

4. AI in Health Care and Bionic Health

Dr. Pelo elaborates on how Bionic Health leverages AI to revolutionize personalized medicine.

• Overview of Bionic Health:
  [30:07] “Bionic is trying to make precision medicine affordable for the majority of people. Our service is around $100 a month, compared to hundreds of thousands with high-end concierge doctors.”

• Cost-Effective Strategies:
  By utilizing advanced AI and encouraging proactive self-management, Bionic Health maintains affordability.
  [32:23] “We use a lot of advanced AI for crunching data and making it easy to understand, allowing members to be proactive and make necessary changes on their own.”

• AI’s Role in Enhancing Medical Care:
  AI helps by providing a second opinion and ensuring that no critical data is overlooked.
  [37:16] “AI makes sure we don't miss stuff like a secondary cancer spot in a patient's report. It acts as an automatic second opinion.”

5. Longevity and Health Optimization

The discussion shifts to strategies for extending lifespan and optimizing health, including supplements and cancer screening.

• Supplement Recommendations:
  Dr. Pelo shares his personal supplement stack, emphasizing evidence-based choices.
  [62:36] “I like vitamin D, fish oil, creatine, and magnesium. I also recommend a daily multivitamin or green drink for broader micronutrient coverage.”

• Skepticism Towards Certain Supplements:
  He expresses caution regarding controversial supplements like nicotinamide riboside.
  [64:25] “I'm not a big believer in nicotinamide riboside. The studies are inconclusive, and there are potential risks.”

• Cancer Screening Protocols:
  Dr. Pelo outlines comprehensive cancer screening methods aimed at early detection.
  [66:20] “We recommend full-body MRIs, liquid biopsies, and specific tests like mammograms for women and prostate screenings for men.”

6. The Future of Health Care Systems

A critical analysis of the U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems reveals systemic issues and potential solutions.

• Challenges in Current Healthcare Systems:
  [56:15] Dr. Pelo criticizes the misaligned incentives in the U.S. insurance industry, which prioritizes cost-cutting over patient health.
  [56:15] “Insurance companies are incentivized to spend the least amount of money on us and get us off their rolls.”

• Advocacy for a One-Payer System:
  Dr. Pelo advocates for a one-payer healthcare system to eliminate administrative waste and focus resources on patient care.
  [56:15] “If I had a magic wand, I'd move to a one-payer system and get rid of the insurance industry.”

• Democratizing Access to Precision Medicine:
  Through Bionic Health, Dr. Pelo aims to make precision medicine accessible and affordable, challenging traditional high-cost models.
  [30:07] “We're trying to make precision medicine scalable for as many people as possible.”

7. Spiritual and Philosophical Implications of Longevity

The conversation explores the deeper societal and spiritual consequences of extended lifespans.

• Biological Limits and Ethical Considerations:
  [44:56] Dr. Pelo opines that while extending life is possible, living forever remains biologically unfeasible.
  [45:04] “I think there is an ability to lengthen life to around 100-110 years, but living forever is not currently achievable.”

• Societal Impact of Longevity:
  Extended lifespans would necessitate profound changes in societal structures, including birth rates, retirement, and community engagement.
  [49:48] “Living longer means we have to figure out how to keep people connected and purposeful, especially men who struggle with community building.”

• Building Community and Purpose:
  Emphasizing the importance of community, Dr. Pelo and Ronan discuss strategies to combat loneliness and maintain purpose in an aging population.
  [50:44] “We need to put effort into building connections and community, especially if we're going to be retiring and staying healthy.”

8. Conclusion

In wrapping up, Ronan and Dr. Pelo reflect on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in the realms of longevity and healthcare. They underscore the necessity of integrating technological advancements with compassionate, community-oriented approaches to ensure a healthier, happier future for individuals and society as a whole.

• Final Thoughts on AI and Health Care:
  [70:25] Dr. Pelo encourages listeners to visit Bionic Health’s website for more information and highlights their virtual telemedicine approach.
  [71:32] “Biological aging clocks are still developing, but they hold promise for the future as we refine their precision.”

• Personal Reflections:
  Ronan appreciates the depth and vulnerability of the conversation, acknowledging its impact on his perspective regarding the future of health and longevity.
  [72:56] “Thank you for your time. This has been a delightful conversation and definitely went in directions I was not anticipating.”

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Jared Pelo on Insurance Systems:
  [00:00] “Contrary to what you may have been taught, money, success and fame don’t make you happy, won’t make you healthy and can’t give you peace inside.”

• Dr. Jared Pelo on Therapy and Healing:
  [08:06] “It was something that was unexpected. I was expecting like some light switch, like I would be different than I was before, and I truly was.”

• Dr. Jared Pelo on AI in Medicine:
  [37:16] “We’ve built our own electronic health record and built AI into it. Our patients automatically get a second opinion.”

• Dr. Jared Pelo on Longevity and Community:
  [49:48] “We're not well practiced at, you know, we have this kind of loneliness epidemic. We need to build more community.”

Key Takeaways

1. Personal Transformation: Dr. Pelo’s journey underscores the importance of mental health and self-compassion in achieving overall wellbeing.

2. AI’s Potential in Healthcare: AI can significantly enhance personalized medicine by providing second opinions and ensuring comprehensive data analysis.

3. Challenges in Current Healthcare Systems: Incentive misalignments, particularly in insurance models, hinder the focus on preventative care and overall health.

4. Longevity with Purpose: Extending human lifespan necessitates robust community structures and a redefinition of purpose to maintain happiness and wellness.

5. Accessible Precision Medicine: Initiatives like Bionic Health aim to democratize access to advanced healthcare, making longevity and health optimization more attainable.

This episode offers a profound exploration of the intersections between personal wellbeing, technological advancements, and societal structures. Dr. Jared Pelo’s insights provide valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the future of health, longevity, and the human condition.