Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for his $2 million annual anti-aging regimen, says he discovered the “most expansive map” of human consciousness after smoking 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic compound found in Sonoran Desert toad venom. The experience was so profound that he tattooed the molecule’s structure on his body. Speaking on the Core Memory podcast, the 48-year-old explained his quest to understand the full scope of human awareness. “I know what it feels like to fall in love, and to feel sad, and to feel envy, and to feel joy,” Johnson said. “But what else?”

Johnson has spent years attempting to reverse aging through extreme health protocols

Johnson systematically explored different substances to map consciousness, starting with alcohol and marijuana before turning to the powerful psychedelic. “I got the map,” he declared, describing 5-MeO-DMT as revealing dimensions of consciousness previously unknown to him.The Braintree founder, who sold his payments company to eBay for $800 million in 2013, sees consciousness exploration as humanity’s greatest frontier. He questioned why people aren’t as excited about mapping the mind as they are about developing artificial superintelligence or traveling to Mars.“If you can, in fact, pair the brain with AI, what could AI do with you, in terms of exploring consciousness?” Johnson asked, suggesting future integration between human minds and artificial intelligence.Johnson’s extreme longevity pursuit has reportedly restored his heart to that of a 37-year-old, tightened his skin to a 28-year-old’s condition, and returned his lung capacity to an 18-year-old’s level, according to his medical team.Beyond Braintree, Johnson founded OS Fund, a biotech venture firm, and Kernel, which develops brain-monitoring helmets. Despite his technological ventures, he considers consciousness humanity’s ultimate treasure.“What else do we have except for our consciousness?” he reflected. “It’s kind of like the gold mine of our very existence.”