What it is
Rapamycin is a macrolide compound originally isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. FDA-approved as an immunosuppressant (sirolimus) and in several other medical applications.
Evidence snapshot
Category: Longevity. Status: Mixed. See the references section below for the underlying primary sources.
Mechanism
Inhibits mTOR complex 1, producing autophagy activation, protein translation changes, and immunomodulation.
Key research findings
In mice, rapamycin extends median and maximum lifespan in multiple independent studies — among the most robust pharmacological lifespan-extension findings.
Limits of the evidence
Adverse effects (immunosuppression, metabolic changes, mouth ulcers) at immunosuppressive doses motivate investigation of intermittent low-dose regimens. Long-term safety in healthy adults is not fully characterised.