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Weekly · Sunday Morning

Five longevity claims.
Worth your time.
Every Sunday.

Last Sunday

Rapamycin extends mouse lifespan 9–14%
NAD+ precursors reverse aging in humans
Blue-light glasses improve sleep quality
Walking 10 min after meals blunts glucose
Verdict change — caffeine half-life downgraded

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How A Doctor Cured His Own Terminal Disease | Dr. David Fajgenbaum — Whalespan

Content›Video›How A Doctor Cured His Own T…

How A Doctor Cured His Own Terminal Disease | Dr. David Fajgenbaum

Andrew Huberman1h 59m · 2025-11-03

Claims Made

201

Claims Supported

123

Support Rate

61%

Support rate

123 of 201 claims supported

123 supported78 partial / not

Claims from this content

109

✓Well SupportedComprehensive blood testing is vital for detecting many aspects of mental and physical health, and Function Health offers this affordably.✓Well SupportedAndrew Huberman's mercury levels decreased after limiting tuna, increasing leafy greens, and supplementing with NAC.✓Well SupportedFunction offers over 100 advanced lab tests for comprehensive bodily health assessment.✓Well SupportedThe book 'Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body' offers scientifically substantiated protocols for sleep, exercise, stress control, and focus/motivation.Well Supported

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A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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2d

Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

✓

Brain and body temperature must drop by approximately 1 degree Celsius to fall asleep and stay asleep.

✓Well SupportedAGZ is a nightly drink formulated with specific ratios of sleep-supporting compounds to improve sleep quality and depth.

✓Well SupportedEight Sleep's Pod 5 features 'Auto Pilot' which adjusts bed temperature, elevates the head if snoring occurs, and optimizes sleep.

✓Well SupportedAGZ is a sleep supplement that provides excellent sleep quality, leading to waking up more refreshed.

✓Well SupportedAn increase in body temperature of 1-3 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

✓Well SupportedMagnesium threonate, theanine, chamomile extract, glycine, saffron, and valerian root are clinically supported ingredients that can aid in falling asleep.

✓Well SupportedDavid protein bars provide 28g of protein for 150 calories, aiding in meeting protein goals without excess calories.

✓Well SupportedRapamycin was discovered in the mid-1960s from Streptomyces hygroscopicus found on Easter Island and was initially identified as a potent antifungal.

✓Well SupportedEngaging in challenging activities, particularly those not enjoyed, leads to plasticity in the anterior mid-cingulate cortex.

◐Partially SupportedPrior to recent research, rapamycin's only known human application was for immune suppression in organ transplant patients.

◐Partially SupportedNicotine may be protective against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease by increasing acetylcholine and dopamine transmission.

✓Well SupportedTap water can contain contaminants that negatively impact health.

✓Well SupportedAurora water filters remove endocrine disruptors and disinfection byproducts while preserving magnesium and calcium.

◐Partially SupportedRapamycin's longevity benefit may be counteracted by its immunosuppressive effects in environments with pathogen exposure.

✓Well SupportedThe speaker takes creatine and a complete animal-based protein supplement daily.

◐Partially SupportedShort-term human studies show that differential dosing patterns of rapamycin can produce immune augmentation and enhancement.

✓Well SupportedOver 122 million Americans drink tap water with high levels of cancer-causing chemicals.

◐Partially SupportedDr. David Fajgenbaum's research focuses on finding novel cures for diseases by repurposing existing approved drugs.

◐Partially SupportedA PD-1 inhibitor was successfully used to treat metastatic angiosarcoma in a patient who had exhausted other options, leading to a nine-year remission.

◐Partially SupportedMucuna pruriens, containing nearly 99% L-DOPA, can increase dopamine, alertness, mood, and potentially libido and motivation.

◐Partially SupportedAI can connect disparate information to reveal new therapeutic possibilities.

✓Well SupportedSevere, multi-day sleep deprivation in mice can lead to death via cytokine storm.

◐Partially SupportedDr. Fajgenbaum personally experienced a terminal disease and used existing medications in novel ways to cure himself, and now helps others do the same.

◐Partially SupportedDavid Fajgenbaum's lab studies mTOR's role in Castleman's disease and treats patients with sirolimus.

◐Partially SupportedA drug used for melanoma was found to be effective in treating angiosarcoma.

◐Partially SupportedLidocaine is being investigated for potential use in breast cancer treatment.

◐Partially SupportedBlocking cytokine production with medication can prolong the survival of sleep-deprived mice, suggesting sleep disruption impacts immune balance.

◐Partially SupportedMany treatments or potential cures for challenging health conditions may already exist in the form of prescribed or available medicines.

◐Partially SupportedColchicine at a dose different from that used for gout significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks in individuals who have had a prior heart attack, particularly those with diabetes.

◐Partially SupportedTNF inhibitors can prevent strokes in children with DADA2.

✓Well SupportedTesting potential cures in humans is necessary because treatments that work in mice often do not translate to humans.

◐Partially SupportedSirolimus was recommended for a patient named Kyla with Castleman disease when other treatments were ineffective.

◐Partially SupportedA lower dose of creatine (10-15 grams per day) taken long-term may achieve similar benefits to high doses but might not be as effective for sleep deprivation.

◐Partially SupportedColchicine is being investigated for treating heart disease.

◐Partially SupportedA physician uses Nicorette to obtain nicotine's protective effects against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

◐Partially SupportedAspirin is an antiplatelet agent that thins the blood and prevents clots.

◐Partially SupportedLidocaine has shown potential in relation to breast cancer treatment.

◐Partially SupportedViagra has been repurposed for a rare pediatric lung disease where it improves blood flow to the lungs.

◐Partially SupportedRepurposed drugs are a viable option for patients with rare diseases because developing new drugs is time-consuming and expensive.

◐Partially SupportedThalidomide is FDA-approved for leprosy and multiple myeloma due to its anti-angiogenic effect.

◐Partially SupportedElements within the coca plant are being isolated and tested for beneficial pain relief and psychoactive properties.

◐Partially SupportedExisting drugs can be repurposed for new conditions without direct development incentives.

◐Partially SupportedDrugs for multiple myeloma can be effective for POEMS syndrome due to shared underlying mechanisms.

◐Partially SupportedPembrolizumab is now used for dozens of cancers beyond melanoma and lung cancer.

◐Partially SupportedDeveloping drugs requires testing in preclinical animal models followed by clinical trials.

◐Partially SupportedThe ability to survive extreme pain or suffering can be achieved by focusing on enduring short intervals, such as one minute, one hour, or one day at a time.

◐Partially SupportedThe circuit of hope, action, and impact leads to more hope, action, and impact for navigating health challenges.

◐Partially SupportedDavid Fajgenbaum experienced a sudden severe illness with organ shutdown shortly after winning a bench pressing contest.

✕Not SupportedContaminated batches of tryptophan led to severe illness and death, causing long-term unavailability of the supplement.

✕Not SupportedKratom products sold over-the-counter can be highly addictive and are sometimes sold to children.

◐Partially SupportedLithium is being considered for potential protection against Alzheimer's or dementia.

◐Partially SupportedSome psychiatrists take low-dose lithium for a couple of months each year.

◐Partially SupportedNicotine is not carcinogenic, does not cause cancer, and protects dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons.

◐Partially SupportedHigh doses of rapamycin are potent immunosuppressants and would prevent an immune response to a transplanted kidney.

◐Partially SupportedGLP-1 agonists may offer preventative benefits against Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and breast cancer.

◐Partially SupportedThe cycle of hoping for a goal, getting closer, taking action, and continuing reinforces the anterior mid-cingulate cortex circuit.

◐Partially SupportedDADA2 is a rare condition caused by a gene mutation that leads to frequent strokes in children, often resulting in death in their teenage years.

◐Partially SupportedAspirin reduces colon cancer recurrence risk in individuals with an mTOR pathway mutation.

◐Partially SupportedAspirin may be useful for preventing colon cancer and heart attacks.

✕Not SupportedAndrew Huberman is not a fan of rapamycin for longevity and has a zero-dose protocol.

✕Not SupportedNicotine use is advised against due to its blood pressure effects, vasoconstriction, and addictive potential.

✕Not SupportedCyclosporine and IVIG were ineffective in treating Castleman disease for Dr. David Fajgenbaum.

◐Partially SupportedDFMO can treat Bachmann-Bupp syndrome by targeting elevated ODC1 enzyme levels, potentially allowing affected children to regain functions like feeding and mobility.

◐Partially SupportedIndividuals seeking information about existing drugs for their ailments should connect with disease-specific organizations.

◐Partially SupportedUsing existing drugs in novel ways carries a risk of persistent severe side effects, potentially leading to death.

◐Partially SupportedAI can simulate cell cultures with different drug concentrations to predict outcomes and identify promising candidates.

◐Partially SupportedDr. David Fajgenbaum is systematically applying FDA-approved drugs to diseases, seeking treatments.

◐Partially SupportedChemotherapy helped Dr. David Fajgenbaum by killing his immune system which was producing harmful cytokines.

◐Partially SupportedThe average small molecule drug binds to 20-30 different proteins, leading to effects beyond its primary intended use.

◐Partially SupportedA 2013 paper showed increased PD-L1 expression in angiosarcoma tumors, indicating potential responsiveness to PD-1 inhibitors, but testing was not initiated until 2016.

◐Partially SupportedDr. David Fajgenbaum required a combination of seven different chemotherapies, including Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Etoposide, Velcade, Enzalutamide, and Rituxan, to achieve remission.

◐Partially SupportedGlioblastoma brain tumors are uniformly fatal.

◐Partially SupportedmTOR was in overdrive in Dr. David Fajgenbaum's immune system, indicated by positive staining in a resected lymph node.

◐Partially SupportedSynthesized, purified kratom contains alkaloids that provide pain relief but can also be very addictive.

◐Partially SupportedDatabases should exist that allow individuals to find information on prescription and non-prescription medications for their diagnosed conditions, including side effects and potential drug interactions.

◐Partially SupportedIndividuals who successfully overcome obesity through exercise and diet, or undertake challenging cognitive or learning tasks, show increased volume in the anterior mid-cingulate cortex.

◐Partially SupportedA large or self-developed anterior mid-cingulate cortex is associated with positive anticipation of the future and a belief in the efficacy of behavioral change.

◐Partially SupportedA 50-year-old male should be informed about all drugs or molecules that could potentially extend his life or offset risks like heart attack.

◐Partially SupportedDisease organizations can connect patients with physicians and researchers and provide insights into experimental treatments.

◐Partially SupportedCastleman disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder where the immune system becomes highly activated and attacks vital organs by producing cytokines and other factors.

◐Partially SupportedAn individual's knowledge network significantly impacts disease outcomes.

◐Partially SupportedRapamycin was discovered in soil from Rapa Nui.

◐Partially SupportedSirolimus was effective in treating a 13-year-old boy with a life-threatening disease, leading to his recovery.

◐Partially SupportedRapamycin was approved for organ transplant rejection after initial development was shelved.

◐Partially SupportedStress and lack of sleep can trigger flares in individuals with autoimmune diseases.

◐Partially SupportedAn inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is involved in treating DADA2, a childhood condition characterized by strokes.

◐Partially SupportedTocilizumab is approved in the U.S. for autoimmune diseases.

◐Partially SupportedTNF inhibitors can help patients with Castleman's disease by reducing TNF production from activated CD4-positive T cells.

◐Partially SupportedDrug developer Kazu Yoshizaki self-administered tocilizumab to test its safety before human trials.

◐Partially SupportedLidocaine is an inexpensive drug, costing pennies per injection.

◐Partially SupportedSocial support from family and friends is crucial for individuals combating disease or general health issues.

◐Partially SupportedKratom leaf products have been used by some former prescription opioid addicts to discontinue opioid use.

◐Partially SupportedRare cases may require drug dosage or formulation tweaks, potentially leading to company spin-offs.

◐Partially SupportedSome physicians use intermittent lithium (1-2 months per year) for health promotion.

◐Partially SupportedDoctors sometimes use existing drugs for conditions not officially approved or discussed with patients due to liability concerns.

◐Partially SupportedInformation about TNF inhibitors being effective for DADA2 spread globally over 10 years, during which time thousands of children died.

◐Partially SupportedStimulation of the anterior mid-cingulate cortex elicits a sensation of impending challenge and a desire to confront it.

◐Partially SupportedThe experiment for many molecules must be run in real-time in humans due to the lack of time for extensive clinical trials.

◐Partially SupportedThalidomide, originally designed as an anti-nausea drug for pregnant women, caused severe birth defects and was removed from the market.

◐Partially SupportedThere is not enough time for clinical trials on all bioprospected molecules or FDA-approved molecules.

◐Partially SupportedTocilizumab was initially developed for Castleman's disease in Japan and later repurposed for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases in the U.S.

◐Partially SupportedThe dose of rapamycin Dr. David Fajgenbaum takes for Castleman disease is higher than typical longevity dosing.

◐Partially SupportedLong hours, being athletic, and highly driven may contribute to autoimmune flare-ups by causing the immune system to ramp up activity beyond a tipping point.

◐Partially SupportedPeople have become more concerned about their health and the need for self-advocacy since 2020.

◐Partially SupportedMost approved drugs impact at least 40 different pathways and mechanisms in the human body, but are typically approved for only one or two.