New book argues aging can “flicker” back to youth — and that idea is reshaping how experts think about growing older
A new book by Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley introduces the ‘flicker stage,’ arguing aging can temporarily reverse so people feel younger through lifestyle changes — a concept gaining attention after a Fox News segment.
- Flicker stage: aging is framed as fluctuating stages, not a single decline.
- Triggers: physical, psychological, social and environmental factors can prompt brief, younger-feeling periods.
- Popular vs. lab science: the idea is a behavioral framework, distinct from early-stage biotech trials about cellular age.
What is the flicker stage?
In their 2026 book Your Aging Advantage, Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley describe seven stages of aging and highlight one they call the flicker stage. This state involves brief periods when people report greater strength, clarity or energy — living at a younger-feeling pace than their chronological age implies. The authors emphasize these are changes in how people feel and function, not permanent biological reversals.
On Fox News, Riley noted setbacks like illness or stress can make someone feel older, while positive interventions — regular exercise, renewed social ties, changes in routine or mindset shifts — can help people “flicker back.” Kaplan compared subjective age to a weather report: a day can feel hotter or cooler than the thermometer, and people’s feels-like age often differs from their birth certificate age.
How the authors say it works: flicker triggers
Riley and Kaplan identify four categories of flicker triggers that can reset how someone feels:
- Physical: activity, sleep, nutrition and medical care that boost strength and energy.
- Psychological: optimism, purpose and habits that improve mood and focus.
- Social: renewed friendships, community groups or caregiving roles that increase engagement.
- Environmental: changes in routine or surroundings that restore vitality.
The authors urge readers to identify personal triggers that work for them and to shift language from “aging in place” to “aging on pace” — focusing on desired activities and pace rather than location alone.
Where the flicker idea fits in the scientific debate
The flicker stage is principally a behavioral and lifestyle framework, not a lab-proven biological discovery. It arrives amid active debate about whether aspects of aging are reversible. Researchers such as Harvard’s David Sinclair argue epigenetic changes underlie aging and may be partially reset; parallel early-stage biotech work is testing related ideas.
For context, NAD.com reported that Life Biosciences received FDA clearance to begin a Phase 1 human trial involving partial reprogramming factors in retinal cells. Comments by Sinclair at the World Governments Summit reinforced expectations that trials aimed at age-related mechanisms were ramping up.
What critics say
Skeptics caution that the flicker stage captures subjective and functional changes but does not yet equate to cellular age reversal. Critics note biotech trials are early-stage and focused on narrow safety endpoints rather than broad, generalized age reversal. Public health experts also emphasize that social and economic barriers affect who can access interventions that trigger positive flickers.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on the authors’ interview on Fox News, public summaries of Your Aging Advantage (2026), and biotech coverage including the NAD.com report on Life Biosciences’ FDA clearance and related comments at the World Governments Summit. The flicker stage is presented here as a popular framework rather than an established clinical standard.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic impact: Los Angeles’ large and diverse population of older adults and its wellness market could see increased demand for gyms, community centers, mental health services and apps aimed at lifestyle shifts tied to flicker triggers.
Political consequences: City and county leaders may face pressure to invest in parks, transit, adult education and senior employment programs aligned with an “aging on pace” approach. Kaplan critiques using 65 purely as a social benchmark rather than a biological one.
Social and cultural effects: The concept reframes aging as changeable and social, potentially reducing stigma. L.A.’s culture of reinvention and active lifestyles may make the idea especially resonant — encouraging midlife career shifts, new hobbies and renewed social networks.
Practical applications for residents
- Health systems can promote structured exercise, sleep programs, social prescribing and cognitive engagement classes tied to flicker triggers.
- Employers may offer flexible roles or phased retirement to let people remain in the workforce if they choose.
- Community organizations can create low-cost programs focused on social connection, movement and purpose.
- Individuals can track a personal “feels-like” age and test interventions — a walking group, part-time job, hobby class or routine change — to see what triggers their positive flickers.
Who should pay attention
Los Angeles health providers, senior-service nonprofits, employers with older workforces, city planners and residents approaching or past midlife would likely find the flicker stage relevant. It is a practical lens for designing programs that support day-to-day vitality but is not a substitute for medical advice.
Where to learn more
Watch the Fox News segment with Kaplan and Riley and look for the authors’ book Your Aging Advantage (2026). For scientific context on age-reversal research, see the NAD.com coverage of Life Biosciences’ FDA-cleared trial and related remarks at the World Governments Summit.
