Key insights

• 🧬 🧬 Rapamycin was discovered in the 1960s and initially used as a fungicide before its immunosuppressive properties were recognized.
• 🚀 🚀 Despite its potential to extend lifespan in mice, caution is necessary for human trials due to observed side effects.
• ⚖️ ⚖️ Rapamycin inhibits the mTORC1 growth pathway, which is linked to aging, but its effects can also hinder mTORC2, causing possible health risks.
• 📉 📉 Testing for rapamycin's effects revealed increased resting heart rate and no significant longevity benefits, raising questions about its efficacy.
• 😅 😅 After discontinuing rapamycin, researchers noted health improvements, contradicting its intended longevity purpose and highlighting potential dangers.
• 🤔 🤔 Scientific research is inherently uncertain, stressing the importance of cautious interpretation of new findings and shared experiences.
• 🌱 🌱 Combined dosing protocols with rapamycin showed promise in extending lifespan by significant percentages in different age groups of mice.
• ⚠️ ⚠️ Risks for the general population include immune suppression and potential cancer development, requiring careful consideration before broad use.

Q&A

• What dosing strategies were discussed for rapamycin? 💊

  Dosing strategies for rapamycin were discussed, including intermittent and lower dosing methods that may help mitigate side effects while achieving desired benefits. The balance between risk and potential longevity must be considered in any therapeutic approach.

• What should viewers take away regarding scientific studies and risks? 🤔

  The speaker emphasizes the inherent uncertainties in scientific studies, urging viewers to approach new data with caution. They highlight that every choice carries risks, and understanding the impact on aging involves ongoing research and personal experimentation. Sharing experiences can collectively aid in learning about the effects of various interventions.

• What happened when researchers discontinued rapamycin? 😅

  Upon discontinuation of rapamycin, researchers observed improvements in health metrics such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels. However, recent studies suggest that rapamycin may actually accelerate biological aging, adding irony to its use as a longevity drug.

• How does rapamycin work in relation to mTORC1 and mTORC2? ⚖️

  Rapamycin works by inhibiting the mTORC1 growth pathway, which is linked to longevity. However, it also inhibits mTORC2, leading to potential side effects. Its effects on these pathways highlight the need for cautious dosing to harness benefits while avoiding adverse outcomes.

• What are the potential side effects of rapamycin? ⚠️

  While rapamycin may offer longevity benefits, it also poses risks such as immune suppression and metabolic dysfunction. Side effects observed in transplant patients included canker sores, elevated cholesterol, and increased resting heart rate, making careful dosing essential to mitigate negative impacts.

• What were the findings regarding rapamycin's effects on lifespan? 📊

  Research has shown that rapamycin can significantly increase lifespan in mice, with older females experiencing a 14% increase and males a 9% increase. Further studies revealed even greater longevity benefits in younger mice, and when combined with other drugs, lifespan benefits increased to 28% for females and 34% for males.

• What is rapamycin and what was its initial purpose? 🌱

  Rapamycin, discovered in the 1960s from soil on Easter Island, was initially developed as an antifungal drug and later approved as an immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients. Researchers initially aimed to use it as a potential treatment for aging.

• 00:00 After four years of research, a team discovers that the experimental drug rapamy, initially intended to combat aging, actually accelerates it. First discovered in the 1960s, rapamy has a history of being both a fungicide and an immunosuppressant approved for organ transplant patients, but it poses risks for general use. ⚠️
• 01:13 Researchers have found that rapamycin can significantly increase lifespan in mice and may have potential for human longevity despite concerns over side effects. 🌱
• 02:38 Exploring the use of rapamycin to inhibit mTorc1 for potential benefits in reducing biological age and rejuvenating the immune system, though acknowledging its risks and side effects. ⚖️
• 04:05 The experiment involved testing rapamycin dosage and its effects on blood levels, side effects like cankers, cholesterol, and resting heart rate, without noticeable benefits, in the pursuit of potential longevity. 📉
• 05:19 Discontinuing rapamycin led to improved health metrics, but recent research indicates it may accelerate aging, highlighting the irony of using it for longevity. 😅
• 06:40 The speaker discusses the uncertainty in scientific studies, emphasizing the importance of caution with new data while acknowledging that risks are inherent in everyday choices. They encourage sharing experiences to collectively learn, whether outcomes are positive or negative. 🤔