Archaeologists have made a fascinating discovery that sheds light on humanity’s longstanding quest for immortality. A 2,000-year-old “elixir for immortality” was found in the tomb of a Western Han noble family in China’s Henan province. The liquid, which initially appeared to be wine, has been identified as an alchemist’s formulation containing potassium nitrate and alunite. These ingredients are mentioned in ancient Taoist texts as essential components for achieving immortality.
While neither substance has any proven benefits for human longevity or health, the discovery represents the first time that mythical “immortality medicines” have been found in China. The ancient elite of China were not alone in their pursuit of eternal life; people today still seek ways to stave off natural deterioration and extend their lifespan.
From modern medical procedures to reverse disease to extreme measures like blood transfusions from younger bodies, humans are driven to find a solution to death. However, this obsession can have unintended consequences. The long-term danger is that only the privileged few will gain access to the ultimate longevity treatments.
In reality, most contemporary efforts to beat back death occur among the very wealthy. For example, software entrepreneur Bryan Johnson spends approximately $2 million per year on tools and treatments aimed at appearing and functioning as if he were 18 again.
The discovery of the ancient “immortality potion” serves as a reminder that humanity’s quest for eternal life is nothing new. What has changed is our understanding of how nutrition, exercise, medicine, and hygiene affect the body and mind. As a result, we enjoy a lifespan that is double that of our great-grandparents.
However, most researchers believe that we are close to reaching the upper limit, possibly around 100 years. The longest living person on record is Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122. To overcome our natural lifespan, we must address one fundamental problem: thousands of water molecules constantly bombarding our cells and eventually breaking the bonds of our cellular “molecular machines.”
While technology has made significant progress in understanding the human body and extending its lifespan, it remains “fairly primitive” when it comes to achieving immortality. Ultimately, rather than seeking eternal life, we should focus on living a balanced life by adopting healthy habits like not smoking, eating well, exercising regularly, sleeping well, and managing stress.
As aging and longevity researcher Joao Pedro de Magalhães says, “There is no point in trying to force habits that one doesn’t really like just to be healthy because it will just cause stress— which is unhealthy and reduces longevity. In other words, it is equally important to be healthy psychologically as well as physically.”
Source: https://www.aol.com/archaeologists-discovered-ancient-immortality-potion-120000672.html