Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov has long embraced a lifestyle defined by discipline and clarity - one that excludes alcohol, coffee, sugar and other “addictive” substances. In a recent podcast with Lex Fridman, Durov explained: “If your brain is the most valuable tool you have in your journey to success and happiness, why would you destroy this tool for short-term pleasure?” 

Growing up, a book titled The Illusion of Paradise introduced him to the idea that alcohol causes paralysis of brain-cells, leading to irreversible damage.  Beyond alcohol, he avoids processed sugar, soda, coffee and red meat - practises intermittent fasting and prioritises diet rich in seafood and vegetables. 
For Durov, this strict regimen isn’t about deprivation - it’s about preserving freedom, cultivating focus, and building a mind that can operate at its optimal peak. His story challenges conventional lifestyle norms and illustrates how self‐restraint becomes a tool for both personal and professional excellence.