Longevity Science with Matt Kaeberlein

Matt Kaeberlein
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

What does the science really say about living longer and staying healthier as we age? On Longevity Science, Matt Kaeberlein—professor, entrepreneur, and longtime leader in the field— explores the biology underlying human and animal healthspan and the interventions that might actually make a difference. From rapamycin and peptides to lifestyle, diagnostics, and emerging therapies like epigenetic reprogramming, this podcast separates signal from noise in a space often dominated by hype. No shortcuts. No miracle cures. Just thoughtful conversations grounded in real science.

  1. Oct 6

    Peptides, Astronauts, and AI: Lessons from the First 10,000 Longevity Experiments at Ora Biomedical

    What can we learn from the first 10,000 experiments in the search for interventions that extend healthy lifespan?In this episode of Longevity Science, I sit down with Dr. Ben Blue, CEO of Ora Biomedical, and Dr. Blair Zhao, CSO, for an update on Ora’s effort to systematically screen interventions for effects on lifespan and healthspan.We start with the Million Molecule Challenge and some intriguing new results from a screen of roughly 300 peptides, including known peptides, AI-predicted candidates, and structurally diverse molecules. We discuss what Ora is beginning to learn from nearly 10,000 intervention experiments, why existing datasets may not be sufficient to predict longevity therapeutics with AI, and how large-scale experimental data could eventually change that. We also explore an unexpected direction emerging from these experiments: resilience. Rather than asking only whether a molecule extends lifespan, can longevity interventions improve the body's ability to recover from damage? That question has led Ora from lifespan studies in C. elegans to UV and radiation resistance, human skin cells, animal studies, and potential applications ranging from photoaging and cancer radiation therapy to protecting pilots and astronauts from radiation exposure. Along the way, Ben and Blair share early results from Ora’s pipeline, including a longevity-associated compound that reduced radiation dermatitis burden by approximately 40% in a mouse model, as well as work on natural products that may improve recovery from UV damage. We also discuss the challenge of translating discoveries from worms into humans and whether resilience could provide a practical path for testing longevity therapeutics on a much shorter timescale. Disclosure: I am a co-founder of Ora Biomedical and serve on its Board of Directors. I have a financial interest in the company. This relationship is disclosed so viewers can appropriately consider this potential conflict of interest when evaluating the discussion.Topics include: the Million Molecule Challenge, AI and longevity drug discovery, peptide therapeutics, C. elegans, mTOR, stress resilience, UV damage, radiation therapy, skin aging, natural products, astronauts and spaceflight, and translating longevity interventions to humans.DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.kaeberlein/

  2. Sep 25

    Longevity Roundtable: GLP-1s, Statins, Aging Clocks & Right to Try

    In this episode of Longevity Roundtable for September 2026, I’m joined by Brian Kennedy and Marcus Ranney to dig into some of the biggest recent stories in longevity science and medicine.We start with Marcus fresh off a high-altitude marathon and discuss intermittent hypoxia, hyperoxia, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. From there, we take a close look at the new mouse lifespan data on semaglutide and what it does, and doesn’t, tell us about GLP-1 drugs and biological aging. We also discuss concerns about GLP-1s and vision loss, and how to think about potential risks in the context of their demonstrated benefits.Then we turn to new evidence linking statin use with reduced dementia risk, the persistent concern that lowering cholesterol could negatively affect the brain, and what the evidence actually suggests.We also tackle a recent Nature Medicine study asking whether epigenetic aging clocks respond to longevity interventions. Can these clocks really tell us whether an intervention is slowing biological aging? And what should we make of the fact that interventions like exercise and rapamycin don't necessarily move them in the direction we might expect?Finally, we discuss Montana’s new Right to Try framework for experimental therapies, why I agreed to serve on its review board, and whether new regulatory models could generate useful clinical data while giving patients greater access to experimental treatments. And, naturally, we finish with Bryan Johnson—because apparently no Longevity Roundtable is complete without him.Topics include: GLP-1 agonists and lifespan, semaglutide, intermittent hypoxia, hyperbaric oxygen, statins and dementia, cholesterol and brain health, epigenetic aging clocks, rapamycin, Right to Try, experimental medicine, and the future of longevity science.DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.kaeberlein/

  3. Sep 18

    Building a Resilient Brain with Dr. Tommy Wood

    What can we actually do to protect our brains as we age, and how much of cognitive decline may be preventable or even reversible?In this episode of Longevity Science, I sit down with neuroscientist and physician Dr. Tommy Wood, author of The Stimulated Mind, for a wide-ranging conversation about the science of brain health, cognitive resilience, and dementia risk. Tommy introduces his “3S” framework—stimulus, support, and supply—for thinking about what the brain needs to maintain and improve function across the lifespan.We discuss why brain fog and subjective cognitive decline shouldn't simply be dismissed as normal aging; the roles of cognitive stimulation, exercise, sleep, stress, metabolic and cardiovascular health; and what the evidence actually says about supplements including creatine, magnesium, omega-3s, vitamin D, multivitamins, and lithium. We also dig into pharmaceuticals and emerging approaches, including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, PDE5 inhibitors, TMS and other forms of brain stimulation, and psychedelics such as psilocybin.Perhaps most importantly, we talk about reasons for optimism. Age-specific dementia incidence has declined over recent decades, and we already know much more about maintaining cognitive function than many people realize. The challenge now is figuring out how to combine what we know into strategies that help people build a more resilient brain—and maintain it for life.Topics include: brain fog and cognitive decline, dementia prevention, neuroplasticity, sleep and stress, exercise, cardiovascular and metabolic health, supplements for brain health, creatine, lithium, GLP-1 drugs, brain stimulation, psychedelics, and the future of dementia treatment.DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.kaeberlein/

  4. Sep 11

    Magic Mushrooms for Longevity? The Surprising Science of Psilocybin and Aging

    What if the effects of psilocybin extend far beyond the brain and into the biology of aging itself?In this episode of Longevity Science, I sit down with Dr. Louise Hecker and Dr. Kosuke Kato, whose unexpected research on psilocybin has opened up a fascinating new question: Could psilocybin actually influence longevity?Their work started with a simple experiment. Treat aging cells with psilocin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, and see what happens. The result was a striking, dose-dependent extension of cellular replicative lifespan. They then took the much bigger step of testing psilocybin in aged mice, where treatment produced a surprisingly large survival benefit during the period they were permitted to follow the animals.We dig into those findings, the important limitations of the mouse experiment, and what they are learning about how psilocybin may be affecting aging biology. Intriguingly, some of the strongest effects appear to occur outside the brain, including persistent changes in inflammatory and immune pathways across multiple organs. Louise and Kosuke also share new details about their work with microdosing, effects on aging skin and hair in mice, non-psychedelic psilocybin derivatives, and efforts to develop topical formulations. One particularly interesting question is whether the potential effects on aging require the psychedelic experience at all, or whether the two can ultimately be separated.And perhaps most excitingly, this research is now moving into humans. Louise and collaborators are performing a Phase 1 clinical trial, which will test full psychedelic doses of psilocybin in healthy adults ages 60–85 and examine biological aging markers along with other measures of health and function.We also talk about why psilocybin research remains surprisingly limited, the challenges of doing rigorous science with a Schedule I drug, and the important distinction between recreational psychedelic use and studying psilocybin as a potential medicine.There is still a long way to go before anyone can say that psilocybin slows aging in humans. But the early findings are intriguing, and they're raising some fascinating questions about psychedelics, inflammation, cellular aging, and longevity.In this episode:🍄 How a conversation about magic mushrooms led to a longevity experiment🧬 Psilocin, cellular senescence, and telomeres🐭 What happened when aged mice received psilocybin🔥 Psilocybin's surprising effects on inflammation🧠 Does the psychedelic experience matter for longevity?💊 Microdosing versus full psychedelic doses🧴 Aging skin, hair, and topical psilocybin derivatives🔬 Parallels between psilocybin and rapamycin👨‍⚕️ The first human trial of psilocybin for healthy aging⚠️ What the science does—and doesn't—justify today#Psilocybin #Longevity #MagicMushrooms #Psychedelics #Aging #LongevityScience #GeroscienceDISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

  5. Sep 9

    Did rapamycin cause Bryan Johnson's autoimmune disease?

    Bryan Johnson recently announced that he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis, an autoimmune condition that, in his words, means his “stomach is eating itself.”So what does this have to do with rapamycin?Bryan took rapamycin for about four years before stopping it, attributing changes in his lipids, blood glucose, resting heart rate, and soft-tissue infections to the drug. But given the hundreds of other interventions in his protocol, can we actually know that rapamycin was responsible?In this episode of Longevity Science, I look at what we actually know about Bryan’s diagnosis, his history of autoimmune thyroid disease, and the biology of rapamycin and sterile inflammation.There’s also an interesting twist: rapamycin is a potent suppressor of sterile inflammation, and there is evidence suggesting that it may be beneficial in some autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. So if rapamycin played any role in Bryan’s autoimmune disease, is it possible that stopping it was more important than taking it?I also discuss a larger problem illustrated by Bryan’s experiment-of-one: when you’re taking dozens of drugs, supplements, and other interventions while constantly changing the protocol, it becomes nearly impossible to confidently attribute an outcome—good or bad—to any single intervention.The point isn’t that rapamycin caused Bryan’s disease, or that stopping rapamycin caused it. We simply don’t know. The point is that speculation shouldn’t be presented as scientific certainty.And there may be an even bigger lesson here: despite spending enormous resources on health optimization and being perhaps the “most measured man on Earth,” a significant medical condition appears to have gone undetected for years. #Rapamycin #BryanJohnson #Longevity #LongevityScience #AutoimmuneDisease #AgingDISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

  6. Sep 6

    Longevity for Dogs: Our Sentinels for Human Aging?

    Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mkaeberleinWhat can dogs teach us about human aging?Quite a lot, it turns out.Dogs share our homes, our environments, and many of the same age-related diseases, but they experience aging over a much shorter timescale. That makes companion dogs a uniquely powerful population for understanding why individuals age differently and, potentially, how we might extend healthy lifespan in both dogs and people.In this episode, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite moments from three recent conversations on the Longevity for Dogs podcast with Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler, Dr. Evan MacLean, and Dr. Audrey Ruple.We explore some fascinating, and sometimes surprising, questions:Can epigenetic clocks tell us how quickly a dog is aging?Why do large dogs live much shorter lives than small dogs, yet seem to age cognitively at about the same rate?What can canine dementia teach us about Alzheimer’s disease?How important are social connection and social isolation for healthy aging?Can dogs serve as “sentinels” for environmental risks that also affect humans?What do we actually know about diet, exercise, obesity, and healthy longevity in dogs?And could we someday dramatically extend healthy canine lifespan?One of the things I find most exciting about this work is that we don’t have to choose between improving human health and improving animal health. By studying aging in companion dogs, we have an opportunity to learn fundamental biology that may ultimately help both species live longer, healthier lives.These conversations originally appeared on Longevity for Dogs, a podcast from the nonprofit Dog Aging Institute. If you enjoy this episode, check out the full conversations and other episodes exploring the science of canine aging and longevity.https://www.youtube.com/@LongevityForDogsGuests:Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler — Arizona State UniversityDr. Evan MacLean — University of ArizonaDr. Audrey Ruple — Virginia TechDISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

  7. Sep 5

    Longevity CAGE MATCH: Science Takes on Hype

    Every now and then, a claim in longevity gets so far ahead of the evidence that it deserves a little pushback.This time, the catalyst was a recent video from Longevity Science News that claimed a newly published Nature Communications paper had essentially reversed skin aging and even suggested it proved me wrong.So... I decided to have a little fun with it.Consider this the Longevity Cage Match: scientist versus stand-up comedian. (For the record, I have nothing against stand-up comedians. I do have something against overselling science.)In this video I walk through what the paper actually shows and where the LSN video goes off the rails:• What the new CMLase enzyme really accomplished• Why removing one type of molecular damage is not the same as reversing aging• How the paper used directed evolution (and where AI actually fits into the story)• Why "40 years of damage removed" makes for a great thumbnail but a poor scientific conclusion• The difference between a genuinely exciting proof-of-principle and a breakthrough therapyThe study is actually a very nice piece of work. I say that repeatedly. It's clever, well executed, and potentially important. But good science deserves to be celebrated for what it actually shows, not for what we'd like it to show.The longevity field already struggles with exaggerated headlines, miracle claims, and snake oil. We don't need to invent breakthroughs when the real science is interesting enough on its own.As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you think I've misunderstood the paper, point me to the data. If you agree, let me know where you think the line is between enthusiasm and hype.Either way, let's keep the discussion intellectually honest and evidence-based.Paper discussed:Trabosh et al. Reversal of protein chemical aging by enzymatic deglycation. Nature Communications (2026).

  8. Jul 31

    Longevity Science Update: The Biggest Stories in Longevity Medicine — July 2026

    What are the biggest developments in longevity medicine right now?In this Longevity Science Update, Dr. Marcus Ranney and I discuss the most important stories shaping the field—from changes to FDA policy on experimental peptides to the tragic death following an NAD infusion, the approval of the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, the latest on GLP-1 drugs, and what the evidence actually says about intermittent fasting.Rather than chasing headlines, we examine what these developments mean in the context of the current scientific evidence—and where important questions remain.In this episode:FDA committee recommendations on compounded peptidesWhat the recent NAD infusion death means for longevity medicineThe first oral PCSK9 inhibitor and cardiovascular disease preventionAre GLP-1 drugs true longevity therapeutics?Retatrutide and the next generation of obesity drugsNAD precursors: what do we actually know?Diet quality vs. calorie restriction vs. intermittent fastingNew developments in India's longevity ecosystemWhether you're a clinician, researcher, or simply interested in healthy aging, this monthly update is designed to help you stay informed with an evidence-based perspective.Subscribe for future Longevity Science Updates, interviews with leading scientists, and discussions on the biology of aging and evidence-based approaches to extending healthspan.#Longevity #HealthyAging #GLP1 #Peptides #NAD #PCSK9 #HeartHealth #LongevityScience #AgingResearch #HealthspanDISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.kaeberlein/---

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About

What does the science really say about living longer and staying healthier as we age? On Longevity Science, Matt Kaeberlein—professor, entrepreneur, and longtime leader in the field— explores the biology underlying human and animal healthspan and the interventions that might actually make a difference. From rapamycin and peptides to lifestyle, diagnostics, and emerging therapies like epigenetic reprogramming, this podcast separates signal from noise in a space often dominated by hype. No shortcuts. No miracle cures. Just thoughtful conversations grounded in real science.

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