It’s not for everyone. It’s not for most people. But some people seem fine with such a life. Most successful professors at least in biology I know live like that all their lives. Tbh they live quite long lived and often have the acuity in their 70s you don’t even find in the average 20yo.

I myself rejected that tbh, as much as I was able to do it. Didn’t think the mediocre crap they were doing was worth that effort. If some day I find something I truly care about maybe sure.