Rapamycin has long been one of the most talked-about "longevity drugs". Strong animal data. Great enthusiasm in biohacking circles. But what do the first real human studies say?
In the first randomised, placebo-controlled study in which rapamycin was combined with exercise in older adults, something unexpected was observed:
- All performance measures (strength, walking distance, function) improved more in the placebo group.
- More side effects in the rapamycin group.
One possible explanation is that the drug inhibits mTOR signalling, the same signalling pathway needed to build muscle after exercise.
The study was also funded by a researcher who himself believed in rapamycin. Even so, he stated openly: "Rapamycin did not help, it may even have made things worse." That is science at its best: data before conviction.
Worth noting: this was only 40 people over 13 weeks with a low-intensity programme. It is early data and does not mean the drug is worthless. We do not know, for example, whether longer studies or other dosages might give different results. It also says nothing about the big questions: does rapamycin affect cardiovascular disease, cancer or neurodegeneration?
Our conclusion on experimental drugs? Interesting. But far from proven. At Executive Health we follow developments closely, with a focus on evidence, not hype.
