Longevity and the Compound Effect

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is longevity attained overnight. A few years ago I read about the compound effect: it’s this idea that baby steps done regularly lead to extraordinary results on the long term. Exponential growth is very hard for humans to wrap their minds around. Linear growth is so much…… Continue reading Longevity and the Compound Effect

Career choice, early retirement and longevity

I could have picked any specialty years ago after I passed the residency exam, but I chose geriatrics to the shock of everyone. I wanted to have the specialty with the wisest patients and even if I’m not practicing it anymore for reasons I’ll detail below, I don’t regret anything. It was impossible for elderly…… Continue reading Career choice, early retirement and longevity

Are long-lived people who age gracefully less prone to addiction?

If psychiatry is the Cinderella of medicine, addiction medicine is the Cinderella of psychiatry. These were the words of a local psychiatrist mentioned during a course I attended several years ago that just stuck in my mind because indeed, almost nobody wants to deal with these problems and these patients. I am a non-smoker and…… Continue reading Are long-lived people who age gracefully less prone to addiction?

The 3 things lifespan record-breaking species do right

I am in my 30s as I type this. And the idea of celebrating my 100th birthday is unthinkable. Even unimaginable. After some clinical experience with the elderly, I don’t even know whether to feel happy or sad when another centenarian is pestered by curious and anxious people looking for their secret. Because being 100…… Continue reading The 3 things lifespan record-breaking species do right