Elon Musk's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience this week raises new concerns about his health. The 54-year-old billionaire looked markedly older and wearier during the three-hour episode released Friday.
Dr Stuart Fischer, a New York-based physician who spoke to the Daily Mail, says that Musk demonstrated signs of "rapid ageing"- both physically and emotionally.
Even at the Republican National Convention in July 2024, he was fresher-faced compared to now, Dr Fischer said. “The exposure, the stress, and the controversy appear to have aged him physically and emotionally”, he added further. Though the doctor has not personally examined Musk, he warned that rapid ageing is often linked to serious health risks, including heart attacks and strokes.
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Stress and its physical toll
As per the Daily Mail report, Dr Fischer explained that chronic stress floods the body with cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that accelerate wear and tear on the heart and increase the risk of blood clots. “Chronic stress also reduces nutrient absorption, so essential vitamins and antioxidants aren't used effectively, causing the 'rusting' of cells”, as he explained. “Being stressed all the time floods the body with cortisol and adrenaline, which accelerates wear and tear on the heart and makes blood clots more likely”, Dr Fischer said.
High levels of stress also dull the skin by breaking down the collagen, causing sagging and early wrinkles. This, added to a lack of adequate sleep and irregular food intake, starts to show almost immediately in the body.
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Impact on the brain and cognition
It doesn't manifest only in physiological ways, according to Dr Fischer. Stress manifests in the brain, and high levels of cortisol can shrink the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for remembering and learning. The result is fatigue, forgetfulness, and cognitive decline. "It's the stress," Fischer said. "I don't think he was ready for the overwhelming stress of winding up in the middle of international politics over the past few years."
