TikTok cannot stop talking about the weight loss drug Ozempic. But Silicon Valley has become obsessed with another “wonder” diabetes drug called Metformin.
The Facts
- Like Ozempic, Metformin is a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is taken as a once-daily pill and is inexpensive at around 10 cents per pill.
- Metformin changes the way the body regulates blood sugar, decreasing a person’s appetite and leading to weight loss.
- In recent years, researchers have found that Metformin not only leads to weight loss but may also have other health benefits. It appears to slow down aging, improve lifespan, and delay chronic illness. The wonder drug may also lower the rate of cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and vision loss.
- A six-year trial is being carried out on over 6,000 participants to research the anti-aging effects of Metformin. Up until now, there have only been animal studies on the drug. Because metformin is so inexpensive, there was little interest or incentive for drug companies to fund trials.
Who is taking Metformin? While Hollywood celebrities have been tight-lipped about taking Ozempic, tech moguls in Silicon Valley have been vocal about the anti-aging benefits of Metformin.
- Earlier this month, Open AI CEO Sam Altman revealed that he takes Metformin to slow down aging.
- 45-year-old BioTech founder Bryan Johnson spends $2 million per year to reboot his body and be 18 years old again. Johnson takes Metformin daily to reverse aging and prevent bowel polyps.
- Venture capitalist Robert Nelsen takes 500mg of metformin to extend his lifespan.
- Anti-aging scientist David Sinclair takes 800mg of Metformin in the evenings to improve his lifespan.
- Tim Ferriss says multiple Silicon Valley executives take Metformin as a prophylactic measure for cancer prevention and as a longevity strategy
Why it matters: Lifestyle and genetics are no longer the only factors that can determine a human’s lifespan. The popularity of Metformin reveals how drugs are being used among Silicon Valley tech circles to actively treat aging.
Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos recently invested in Altos Labs — a company working an anti-aging technology that could add an extra 50 years to the human lifespan.
