Rapamycin Life Extension

Rapamycin is a drug that has gained significant attention in the field of longevity and aging research. It is derived from a bacterium called Streptomyces hygroscopicus and was initially developed as an immunosuppressant to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.

However, researchers have discovered that rapamycin also has potential effects on lifespan extension and age-related diseases.

Numerous studies, primarily conducted on model organisms such as yeast, worms, flies, and mice, have shown that rapamycin can extend lifespan and improve healthspan. These findings have sparked interest in exploring rapamycin's potential as an anti-aging intervention in humans.

Rapamycin acts by inhibiting a protein called mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth, metabolism, and aging. By inhibiting mTOR, rapamycin can modulate various cellular processes and signaling pathways associated with aging and age-related diseases.

While the results from animal studies have been promising, it's important to note that the translation of rapamycin's effects to humans is still being investigated. Rapamycin has known side effects and may increase the risk of certain health problems, such as impaired glucose metabolism, immune suppression, and potential negative effects on cognition. Additionally, the optimal dosage, timing, and duration of rapamycin treatment for longevity purposes are still under investigation.

Several ongoing clinical trials are exploring the potential benefits and risks of rapamycin in humans, including its effects on aging, age-related diseases, and age-related functional decline. These studies aim to determine the safety, efficacy, and optimal usage of rapamycin in a longevity context.

It's worth noting that while rapamycin shows promise as a potential intervention for extending lifespan and improving healthspan, it is still considered an experimental approach. According to an article on Life Extension, pioneering physicians are discovering that taking 5-6 mg of rapamycin just once weekly partially inhibits mTOR. This enables autophagy to be expressed on a periodic basis, which provides a wide range of health benefits1. Most people taking Rapamycin take it as a once-weekly dose, as permanent mTOR suppression is not desirable. Low-doses are used most frequently, although research into the optimal dosing and timing is ongoing2.

According to an opinion article on PMC, life extension by rapamycin is dose-dependent in rodents. The higher the dose, the higher the anti-aging benefits, including cancer prevention and life extension3.