For more than 70 years, a potential anti-aging solution may have been hidden in plain sight and is already being used by globally by an estimated 150 million people daily. Recent research suggests that metformin, a common diabetes medication introduced in the 1950s, might hold the key to slowing aging—a discovery that could revolutionize longevity science.
In a groundbreaking study conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Institute of Genomics, metformin significantly delayed aging in monkeys. The medication, typically used to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, was found to slow down brain deterioration and enhance cognitive abilities. It also reduced bone loss and promoted the regeneration of various tissues and organs.
The researchers concluded that metformin can reduce biological aging markers by up to six years. They believe this drug could pave the way for reversing aging in humans. This discovery is particularly exciting because, unlike previous aging studies conducted primarily on mice, the research focused on Cynomolgus monkeys (crab-eating macaques), which share important physiological and functional similarities with humans. These monkeys are often regarded as excellent models for aging research.
Metformin, already hailed by longevity enthusiasts and biohackers as a “wonder drug,” has gained widespread attention for its potential role in slowing the aging process. The latest study, which spanned 40 months and was published in September 2021, involved monkeys aged 13 to 16 years, comparable to 40 to 50 human years based on the aging rate and lifespan of the two species. The monkeys were administered a daily dose of metformin, adjusted to match the typical human dosage of 40 mg per five pounds of body weight, which usually ranges between 500 mg and 2,550 mg daily.
Throughout the study, the researchers conducted extensive testing every three months, including imaging, blood analysis, physical exams, and tissue evaluations. The monkeys also underwent cognitive tests to measure memory and learning skills. These assessments helped the researchers develop “innovative monkey aging clocks” to determine how metformin impacted biological aging.
The findings revealed a significant slowing of aging indicators, particularly in cognitive abilities, with a six-year regression in brain aging, which equates to roughly 18 human years. The monkeys on metformin performed better on memory tasks and exhibited superior learning skills compared to those not given the drug. Improvements were also observed in the liver, heart, lungs, intestines, and muscle tissues.
The study highlighted that the most profound improvements were in the liver and frontal lobe—the part of the brain responsible for memory, problem-solving, movement, and personality. MRI scans showed that the frontal lobe maintained its thickness, suggesting it did not suffer age-related decline, and in some areas, the brain even grew thicker, potentially reflecting enhanced cognition.
Although one monkey developed kidney damage during the study, no significant side effects were found in the 68 biological factors tested, suggesting that metformin maintains a high safety profile. The study, published in the journal Cell, concludes that metformin may delay age-related brain deterioration and could lead to future pharmaceutical strategies targeting human aging.
