Rapamycin is a drug that has been studied to see if it can help people live longer and be healthier. It is a chemical that was first found in the soil of Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, in the 1970s. For those who don’t know, Easter Island is the same place where Darwin worked on his theory of evolution.
Since the 1990s, it has been used as an immunosuppressant for transplant patients. However, recent studies have shown that it has many other health benefits, including anti-aging effects.
One of the main ways that rapamycin works is by inhibiting a protein called mTOR, which regulates cell growth and metabolism. By inhibiting mTOR, rapamycin can promote autophagy, a process by which cells recycle damaged or dysfunctional components, and reduce inflammation, which are both important factors in ageing and age-related diseases. Rapamycin has been shown to improve age-related decline in heart function, cognition, and immune function in mice and other animal models, as well as to extend lifespan.
While the benefits of rapamycin are promising, there are also potential risks and drawbacks to taking the drug. One big worry is that it can weaken the immune system, which could make infections and cancer more likely. In addition, rapamycin has been shown to have negative effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, which could be problematic for people with diabetes or metabolic disorders. Some studies have also shown that rapamycin could hurt the size and strength of muscles, but more research needs to be done in this area.
Despite these potential risks, rapamycin has attracted a lot of attention from researchers and the public as a potential anti-aging drug. It is currently being studied in clinical trials for a variety of age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related macular degeneration. But it is important to remember that the long-term effects of rapamycin on human health are still not fully understood. More research is needed to find out if it is safe and effective.
So would I take it? Despite everything I see and hear on social media, probably not. There are many steps to extending your life. Sleep, exercise, nutrition, breathing, and reducing toxicity would be at the top of my list. If you have really exhausted all your options on that, you may consider Rapamycin.
