Rapamycin: The Most Studied Longevity Drug You've Never Heard Of

A brief history

Rapamycin was discovered in soil samples from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in 1972. It's now used clinically to prevent organ transplant rejection.

But its most fascinating property is what happens at intermittent low doses: rapamycin inhibits mTOR, the cellular nutrient sensor that, when over-active, accelerates aging.

What the evidence shows

• Extends lifespan 9–14% in mice — even started in late middle age
• Improves immune function in elderly humans (Mannick et al., 2014)
• Currently in human longevity trials (PEARL, NIA)