Let's talk RAPAMYCIN

This podcast discusses the drug rapamycin and its potential benefits for treating chronic illnesses like ME/CFS and long COVID. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant that has been used for decades to prevent organ rejection. However, recent research has shown that it may also have anti-aging properties and can improve immune function.
The podcast hosts discuss the potential mechanisms of action of rapamycin, including its ability to inhibit mTOR, a protein involved in cell growth and proliferation. They also discuss the potential side effects of rapamycin, which Here’s the summary of the transcript discussing rapamycin and its potential therapeutic applications:

Summary of Transcript: Discussion on Rapamycin and Its Role in Chronic Illnesses

*Overview*
This transcript explores rapamycin, its history, mechanisms of action, and its potential therapeutic applications, particularly in ME/CFS, long COVID, and other complex illnesses. The conversation also highlights findings from a pilot trial investigating rapamycin's effects on autophagy and symptom improvement.

*Key Points*

#### *1. History and Discovery*
**Rapamycin's Origins**: Discovered over 50 years ago on Easter Island as an antifungal agent.
**Evolution**: Initially used to prevent organ transplant rejection due to its immunosuppressive properties.
**mTOR Inhibition**: Rapamycin inhibits mTOR, a protein kinase involved in cell growth, metabolism, and autophagy.

#### *2. Mechanism of Action*
**Autophagy Promotion**: Inhibits mTORC1, enhancing autophagy—a process that removes damaged cellular components.
**Antiproliferative Effects**: Reduces accumulation of dysfunctional cells, supporting cellular health.
**Calorie Restriction Mimicry**: Low-dose rapamycin mimics benefits of intermittent fasting or calorie restriction.

#### *3. Applications in Aging and Chronic Illness*
**Aging and Longevity**: Explored for anti-aging properties due to its effects on cellular health and inflammation.
**Chronic Illnesses**: Potential applications in ME/CFS, long COVID, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
**ME/CFS and Long COVID**: May address impaired autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation.

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*4. The Simmaron Rapamycin Trial*
**Objective**: Investigate rapamycin's effects on ME/CFS patients using biomarkers for autophagy.
**Key Findings**:
**Symptom Improvement**: About 50% of participants experienced reduced fatigue, brain fog, and pain.
**Biomarker Correlation**: Improvements correlated with changes in autophagy markers in some patients.
**Multiple Mechanisms**: Others showed symptom relief without biomarker changes, suggesting multiple mechanisms.
**Safety Profile**: No significant adverse effects at low doses.

#### *Study Design*
**Dosing Protocol**: Participants received escalating doses of rapamycin (up to 6 mg weekly).
**Monitoring**: Regular symptom and biomarker assessments.
**Expansion Plans**: Standardizing drug sourcing to address bioavailability variability.

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*5. Safety Profile*
**Common Side Effects**: Mild canker sores; rare cases of elevated glucose or cholesterol levels indicate excessive dosing.
**Infection Risk**: Unlike high-dose use, low-dose rapamycin does not significantly increase infection risk.

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*Conclusion*
Rapamycin shows promise as a treatment for ME/CFS, long COVID, and other post-infectious conditions by addressing key issues like impaired autophagy and systemic inflammation. Preliminary findings from the Simmaron trial are encouraging but require further validation through larger studies.

Sources
include mouth sores, increased blood sugar, and increased cholesterol.
The hosts also discuss a clinical trial they are conducting to evaluate the efficacy of rapamycin in treating ME/CFS and long COVID. The trial is still ongoing, but early results suggest that rapamycin may be beneficial for some patients.