Michael Mosley: An adventurous unconventional journalist, unafraid to test on himself

Michael Mosley, a doctor, a charismatic presenter, and an unconventional journalist, pushed his physical limits in his quest to enhance the nation’s well-being.

The television physician passed away on the beautiful Greek island of Symi at the age of 67. His untimely demise stirred shock among peers and the public, with numerous tributes acknowledging his groundbreaking contributions spanning five decades in his profession.

In various television programs delving into health and wellness, he conducted peculiar self-experiments like ingesting tapeworms for six weeks and then swallowing a camera to film them in his intestines for a 2014 documentary titled Infested! Living With Parasites on BBC Four.

In the same documentary, he permitted a leech to feed on his arm’s blood and deliberately infected himself with head lice.

He consumed a blood pudding made from his own blood and injected snake venom to observe blood clotting in the 2015 BBC documentary The Wonderful World Of Blood.

In 2011, as part of his BBC4 series, The Brain – A Secret History, he participated in a clinical trial taking the magic mushroom drug psilocybin. He described the hallucinogenic encounter as “beautiful yet unsettling” at the time.

Although the consumption of this illegal class A drug is typically prohibited, exceptions are made for clinical research purposes.

Mosley was known for fearlessly tackling controversial topics and shattering taboos in his pursuit of knowledge about the human body and its mechanisms.

That same year, he presented the contentious documentary Inside The Human Body, which featured the final moments of a dying individual.

Mosley stated in the Radio Times the importance of openly discussing and, if warranted, depicting death, emphasizing the need to not shy away from such topics. He believed that capturing a serene, natural death on film had its merits, a sentiment shared by many individuals closely involved in end-of-life care.

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Mosley’s co-host on Trust Me, I’m A Doctor, Chris van Tulleken, praised him as “one of the most influential broadcasters in recent decades” while honoring his legacy on X.

Van Tulleken expressed, “[Mosley] essentially pioneered a style of science broadcasting: experimenting on himself, sharing his medical challenges, being a curious individual rather than a detached expert.

“He provided support to me and numerous others throughout our journeys, always ready to lend an ear for advice or encouragement.”

Renowned physicist and television personality Brian Cox echoed the sentiment, describing Mosley as a “mentor” to many in the field of science communication.

Another co-host on Trust Me I’m A Doctor, Dr. Saleyha Ahsan, shared with Sky News: “He has left us with a wealth of knowledge that we can apply in our own lives. I know individuals who have adopted Michael’s recommendations, like the 5:2 diet, which has significantly altered their approach to health.

“Michael battled with pre-diabetes before adopting the diet and successfully reversed its progression. People I know who are at early stages of pre-diabetic conditions often cite Michael’s story.”

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2012, Mosley managed to reverse the condition through intermittent fasting and dietary adjustments.

His dedication to “restoring my blood sugar levels to a healthy range by shedding excess weight” inspired the publication of books that popularized the 5:2 diet across the United Kingdom.