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The R-Files episode 1:    • An introduction to the study of RAPAM...  
The R-Files episode 2:    • Off-Label Rapamycin Experiences & Dos...  

Check out our 3-part series with Jonathan An discussing oral health and its relationship to aging, including rapamycin's impact on oral health and periodontal disease.

Part 1:    • Rapamycin's Impact on Oral Health & i...  
Part 2:    • Rapamycin's Impact on Oral Health & i...  
Part 3:    • Dentist Reveals Exciting Research Fin...  

The R-Files is a series of episodes about rapamycin, a naturally occurring compound originally discovered in soil samples from Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui (hence the drug's name). Rapamycin belongs to a class of drugs called macrolides and has potent immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative effects. The drug has garnered attention for its potential anti-aging properties and has attracted research interest for its ability to extend lifespan and delay age-related diseases in various model organisms, including yeast and mice.

In the third episode of the R-Files, Matt, who studied rapamycin for over a decade of his career, talks about a recent study evaluating the benefits and side effects of taking rapamycin off-label—that is, for a purpose other than that for which the drug gained FDA approval. Physicians can prescribe any FDA-approved drug off-label as long as they believe it will be beneficial for the patient. Matt discusses noteworthy potential side effects of rapamycin use, the experiences of study participants who took rapamycin, and why off-label rapamycin use is not widespread despite considerable evidence for life- and healthspan benefits in laboratory animals.

0:00 Trailer
0:31 Introduction to a University of Washington study to evaluate the benefits and side effects of off-label rapamycin use
1:26 Rapamycin: the basics
3:33 Why rapamycin is interesting to geroscience researchers and the longevity community
5:39 Important things to appreciate about rapamycin + best evidence that rapamycin impacts aging
9:46 Why don't more people take rapamycin?
12:03 Potential side effects
12:38 More background about the University of Washington study
16:10 Demographics of rapamycin users in the study
17:13 Rapamycin dosage in the study
20:39 How people reported their experience of taking rapamycin in the study
21:44 Side effects reported by rapamycin users and non-users in the study
26:43 The interaction between rapamycin and COVID-19 infection, including long COVID
30:21 Big picture takeaways from the study

Producers: Tara Mei, Nicholas Arapis
Video Editor: Jacob Keliikoa

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https://www.optispan.life/

Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.

On this channel I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these videos helpful!