The world’s wealthiest are betting billions on an almost unbelievable idea: that human ageing can be slowed or reversed. This is the science behind it.
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Other promising areas of research involve so-called senolytic drugs – molecules that help to clear cells that have stopped dividing but continue to secrete harmful molecules that drive the ageing process (“senescent cells”) – and the compounds rapamycin and metformin. Neither of these drugs were designed to be anti-ageing drugs, but preliminary research suggests they could be used for that purpose.
“In every species that it’s been tested, [rapamycin] extends lifespan quite potently,” Wu says. “Even when it’s delivered late in life to older animals, or if it’s delivered briefly in the middle of life, it extends lifespan by a good margin. We’re talking 20 to 30 per cent overall, which is super exciting.”
For some individuals, the preliminary evidence is encouraging enough for them to experiment with taking the drug off-label in the hope of slowing down ageing – even though its primary use in the healthcare system is as an immunosuppressant.
Stanford-trained physician and popular podcaster Peter Attia has spoken about his experience taking the drug and how it led to a common side effect of painful mouth ulcers. “I woke up this morning in an unbelievable amount of pain,” he told his 1.3 million Instagram followers in a post from 2023. Another public figure who takes the drug for its potential anti-ageing effects is the renowned American biologist Brian Kennedy.
Full article: The longevity secrets billionaires are betting their fortunes on (Financial Review)