Short abstract:

Using the case study of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements, the paper examines the role of promissory discourse in the promotion of supplements that claim to delay or reverse aging and focuses on how the wider discourse of ‘self-optimisation’ guides the longevity movement.

Long abstract:

Longevity movement emphasizes notions of responsibility and health self-management. Longevity influencers, experts and researchers promote longevity supplements, devices, therapies, and lifestyle changes that they claim will slow, stop, or reverse the processes of aging. These longevity protocols include, among others, supplementation with ‘small molecules’. Among all these protocols, a naturally occurring biologically active nucleotide has drawn increasing attention to delay the aging process: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). It is claimed that NMN can extend the lifespan of model organisms and prevent age-related diseases. Even though human trials on NMN are limited, in longevity markets, these claims led to production of a wide range of formulations, including supplements, health care products, and active pharmaceuticals for human use and for pets. As there is limited evidence on NMN’s clinical safety and efficacy studies, there are risks attached to the use of this expensive supplement.

In November 2022, FDA declared that NMN is not a legal dietary ingredient, and banned the over-the-counter sale of NMN supplements. The ban caused an outcry in longevity communities. This paper focuses on the reaction of the longevity communities to the NMN ban. In the past, consumer activists’ claims-making focused on the failure of regulatory systems in controlling clinically unproven products. Conversely, the longevity communities’ claims-making activities to make an unproven product, NMN, widely available demonstrates the power of the promissory discourse in longevity markets, and the longevity communities’ willingness to hack their body at their own expense in search of the fountain of youth.