Tech Takedown - The Algorithm's Edge

The Puppy Pill: Can Rapamycin Stop Aging in Dogs? 🧠 Tech Takedown


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Your dog might be the key to immortality. 🐕💊 We investigate the Dog Aging Project, a massive study tracking tens of thousands of pets to crack the code of longevity. We break down the science of Rapamycin, a drug found in the soil of Easter Island that inhibits mTOR (the cellular "aging switch") and ask if low doses can delay heart disease and cancer in our best friends.

1. The "Sentinel" Species: Mice lie; dogs tell the truth. We analyze the model. Lab mice live in sterile bubbles, but dogs share our homes, breathe our air, and drink our water. We explain why scientists believe canines are the perfect "environmental sentinels" to test anti-aging drugs before human trials.

2. The "Easter Island" Drug: It stops rejection, but does it stop time? We expose the chemistry. Rapamycin is famous for preventing organ transplant rejection. We discuss the "Goldilocks" paradox: how a high dose suppresses the immune system, but a micro-dose might simply turn down the "noise" of aging without the dangerous side effects.

3. The Healthspan Goal: It’s not about living forever; it’s about playing longer. We explore the objective. The study isn't trying to make zombie dogs; it's targeting "Healthspan"—the period of life free from chronic disease. We discuss the emotional weight of adding just two or three healthy years to a dog's life and what that proves for human longevity.

The full list of sources used to create this episode can be found on our Patreon under https://www.patreon.com/c/Morgrain

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Tech Takedown - The Algorithm's EdgeBy Morgrain