Rapamycin: The Longevity mTOR Inhibitor
Rapamycin is the only drug demonstrated to extend lifespan in every organism tested — yeast (+30%), worms (+25%), flies (+15%), and mice (+25%) — with no other intervention matching this breadth of replication. FDA-approved for organ transplant rejection and discovered in 1972 on Easter Island, it inhibits mTOR and is now studied for healthy aging at 5–6 mg weekly.
Last updated: March 2026
(not daily)
Mice Studies
Easter Island
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What Is Rapamycin?
Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an mTOR inhibitor originally discovered in 1972 from a soil sample on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). It was FDA-approved in 1999 for preventing organ transplant rejection. Since then, it's become the most studied longevity drug — extending lifespan in every organism tested.
mTOR (mechanistic Target of Rapamycin) is a central regulator of cell growth. Inhibiting mTOR triggers autophagy — cellular "cleanup" that removes damaged proteins and organelles, extending healthspan.
Rapamycin extends lifespan in yeast (+30%), C. elegans worms (+25%), Drosophila flies (+15%), and mice (25%). No other intervention has this breadth of replication.
For longevity, low-dose intermittent protocols (5-6mg weekly) show benefits with fewer side effects than daily immunosuppressant dosing. The key is intermittent, not continuous, inhibition.
FDA-approved for transplant rejection. Longevity use is off-label. The TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) trial is pushing for rapamycin as the first "anti-aging" drug.
What the Research Shows
Note: Most robust data is in mice. Human longevity data is observational — organ transplant patients on rapamycin show reduced age-related diseases, but confounding makes causation unclear.
Longevity Dosing
- • 5-6mg rapamycin once weekly
- • Take with or without food
- • Lower side effect profile than daily
- • Most common community protocol
- • 5-6mg for 2 consecutive days
- • Then 5-6 days off
- • May reduce immunosuppression risk
- • Alternate protocol
Important: Never start rapamycin without medical supervision. Requires baseline blood work and monitoring. The longevity dose (weekly) is far lower than the immunosuppressant dose (daily).
Side Effects & Interactions
• Mouth ulcers/mucositis: Most common at longevity doses
• Lipid changes: Elevated triglycerides and cholesterol possible
• Immunosuppression: Increased infection risk
• Delayed wound healing: Don't use before surgery
• Drug interactions: CYP3A4 interactions (statins, antifungals, antibiotics)
Requires baseline: lipid panel, CBC, liver function, kidney function. Regular monitoring essential.
Key Takeaways
- Extends lifespan in every organism tested (yeast → mice)
- 25-26% lifespan extension in mice replicated multiple times
- Activates autophagy — cellular cleanup mechanism
- FDA-approved with established safety profile
- Weekly low-dose shows benefit with fewer side effects
- Optimal human longevity dose (5-6mg is community-based)
- Long-term effects in healthy humans (trials ongoing)
- Whether benefits apply to non-transplant patients
- Interaction with other longevity compounds
- Optimal cycling protocol
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This page is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Rapamycin is FDA-approved for organ transplant — longevity use is off-label. Never start rapamycin without medical supervision. Requires regular blood work and monitoring. Consult a qualified healthcare provider.