Reading on the web. Open in the Thier app for the full interactive version, progress tracking, and XP.
Open

Rapamycin & Metformin

1-minute read 30 XP in app 8 cards

The most promising longevity drugs

Two existing drugs — rapamycin and metformin — have shown remarkable anti-aging effects in studies. Both are already FDA-approved for other conditions.

2 drugs in longevity trials
Fact

Rapamycin: the mTOR inhibitor

Discovered in Easter Island soil, rapamycin inhibits mTOR — the growth pathway that accelerates aging when chronically active. It extends lifespan in every organism tested.

25% lifespan extension in mice
Try in app

Rapamycin's journey

Trace the remarkable history of rapamycin.

This step is hands-on. Open the Thier app to try the full interaction.
Try in app

Rapamycin vs Metformin

Compare these two longevity drug candidates.

This step is hands-on. Open the Thier app to try the full interaction.
True or false

True or False

Metformin is only useful for people with diabetes.

Metformin's anti-aging benefits only apply to diabetics
Diabetics on metformin live longer than non-diabetics not taking it. The TAME trial is studying its anti-aging effects in healthy people.
Select all that apply

Which of these are real, published effects of rapamycin?

Select every confirmed biological effect.

Rapamycin inhibits mTOR, which triggers autophagy and has extended lifespan in every mammal tested. It does NOT directly repair DNA, nor has it been shown to cure Alzheimer's in humans.
Insight

The TAME trial

TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) is the first FDA-approved clinical trial to test a drug specifically for aging. If successful, it could change how we regulate anti-aging medicine.

3,000 participants in the TAME trial
Takeaway

Key Takeaway

Rapamycin and metformin are the most promising longevity drugs in clinical research. Both target fundamental aging pathways, but self-medicating is risky — wait for trial results.

Track your progress

Read the cards above, then mark this lesson complete to track your progress.
Open in app for XP
Up next

Molecules Quiz