Chemical Cocktails That Reverse Aging

At least six chemical compounds that can reverse crucial markers of aging in cells have been identified by researchers from Harvard and MIT according to a peer-reviewed study report published in the journal Aging (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Chemically induced reprogramming to reverse cellular aging

Go to source). The findings could pave the way for breakthroughs in the tech billionaire-backed area of longevity, which seeks to increase human life span.

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Reversing Aging: A New Era in Medical Science

After only four days after treatment, the "chemical cocktails" were discovered to restore young qualities to cells. "Until recently, the best we could do was slow aging," Harvard Medical School lead author Dr. David Sinclair stated in a press statement. "Discoveries suggest we can now reverse it."

The treatments, at least theoretically, would not only slow aging but also make you younger. Sinclair stated that human clinical studies of "age reversal gene therapy" are already in the works.

The Harvard researchers identified the compounds by screening molecules with known effects on cells and testing their effects on aging biomarkers. They eventually found six chemicals that, when combined, restored cell samples to more young states within days.

Unlike dangerous gene therapies, these compounds influence gene expression without changing DNA sequences. Cells were converted into immature stem cells capable of converting into any tissue by the cocktails.

While the research was limited to cell cultures, experiments on mice and monkeys have yielded promising results so far.

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Role of Tech Billionaires in Advancing Longevity Research

This is only one of the most recent breakthroughs in an area that has piqued the interest of tech millionaires. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just invested $180 million in stealth startup Retro Biosciences. By 2030, the corporation hopes to increase human life spans by a decade.

Altos Labs, which began in 2021 with a rumored $3 billion in funding, and NewLimit, which received $250 million from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, are two other companies entering the field.

Some affluent entrepreneurs, such as Bryan Johnson, are already experimenting with themselves. The software billionaire adheres to an open-source anti-aging program that includes anything from quickly injecting his son's blood to consuming over 100 pills every day. Johnson claims to have halted his biological aging process by more than 30 years.

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Future Implications and Challenges of Age-Reversing Therapies

Sinclair points out that developing therapies acceptable for human testing will take time. He did, however, express confidence in the strategy. "Age reversal can be accomplished not only genetically, but also chemically," Sinclair concluded.

The potential to greatly increase lifespans may face opposition. However, if medicines can delay age-related disease and enhance health in old life, they may also be able to cut often crippling medical costs. These forward-thinking scientists see a future in which 100 may become the new 60.

Reference:

1. Chemically induced reprogramming to reverse cellular aging - (https://www.aging-us.com/article/204896/text)

Source-Medindia