Is Elon Musk, the tech titan turned political powerhouse, running on fumes?

Recent buzz centers on Musk’s alarming appearance during his eighth sit-down on the Joe Rogan Experience, released last Friday, where a prominent physician flagged signs of rapid aging and potential health risks tied to relentless stress, as the Daily Mail reports.

At 54, Musk looked, the doctor said, visibly worn out, described as “old, tired, and drained” during the three-hour podcast session.

From tech visionary to political lightning rod

Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York-based physician, didn’t mince words about what he saw as Musk’s transformation, noting a stark contrast from earlier appearances, such as at the Republican National Convention in July 2024.

“Even at the Republican National Convention in July 2024, he was fresher-faced compared to now,” Dr. Fischer told the Mail.

Let’s unpack that -- while Musk’s stamina held up during the podcast, those signature awkward pauses seemed more strained, hinting at a deeper toll than just a long day.

Stress as silent culprit?

Dr. Fischer attributes this supposed decline to chronic stress from Musk’s shift from a clean energy innovator once cheered by the left to a conservative-leaning figure and government insider.

Originally a self-identified Democrat, Musk’s pivot began after acquiring and rebranding Twitter as “X” in 2022, with his social media increasingly reflecting conservative themes by mid-2024.

Later dubbed “First Buddy” and leading the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to overhaul federal agencies, Musk’s plate is overflowing -- and it shows.

Health risks of relentless pressure

Dr. Fischer warns that this kind of pressure doesn’t just age a person emotionally -- it’s a physical wrecking ball, increasing risks of serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

“It’s the stress. 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,” Dr. Fischer explained.

Sure, politics at any level can grind you down, but national and global divisiveness? That’s a whole new beast, and Musk is caught right in the crosshairs while still steering his corporate empire.

Breaking down body and mind

Chronic stress, as Dr. Fischer describes, floods the body with cortisol and adrenaline, wearing out the heart and making blood clots more likely.

Beyond the ticker, it disrupts nutrient absorption, leaving vitamins and antioxidants useless while cells essentially “rust,” and poor sleep or bad eating habits only fan the flames.

Then there’s the visible damage -- stress breaks down collagen, leading to sagging skin, dark circles, and wrinkles, while mental sharpness takes a hit with fatigue shrinking key brain areas like the hippocampus.