Our read is that taking aspirin is partially supported for specific therapeutic uses, but its role in general longevity and primary prevention is increasingly questioned.
◐PARTIALLYSUPPORTED
⚠
High-risk intervention — consult a physician before acting.Drug-drug interactions, dose-dependence, and screening contraindications apply.
Consensus
74%
leaning supportive
Evidence quality
45/100
limited
Risk
High
specialist only
Cost / month
$$
estimated
Effort
Low
time & habit
Abstract
Aspirin shows promise in specific contexts, such as reducing colon cancer recurrence risk in individuals with an mTOR pathway mutation, and has been observed to temporarily cure diabetes by reducing cortisol, inflammation, and lipolysis.
It is also noted for its use in post-operative care to keep shunts open and for its potential to reactivate the immune system to reduce metastatic risk.
However, there are significant concerns regarding its use for primary prevention, especially in older adults and low-risk patients, due to increased bleeding risks and a lack of longevity benefits in some studies.
Method
Bryan Johnson and David Sinclair take 81 milligrams of aspirin three times a week. Peter Attia typically uses low-dose aspirin post-shunt surgery. Rhonda Patrick mentions older adults taking 100 mg of daily aspirin.
Evidence detail
01David Sinclair notes that aspirin use is associated with slower skin aging (David Sinclair, 1x).
02Andrew Huberman states that aspirin reduces colon cancer recurrence risk in individuals with an mTOR pathway mutation (Andrew Huberman, 1x).
03Bryan Johnson and David Sinclair take 81 milligrams of aspirin three times a week (Bryan Johnson, David Sinclair, 4x).
04Peter Attia indicates that NSAIDs, including aspirin, reduce inflammation associated with acute injuries (Peter Attia, 1x).
05Andrew Huberman suggests aspirin has potential therapeutic uses beyond its primary indications (Andrew Huberman, 1x).
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06Peter Attia mentions low-dose aspirin is used post-operatively to keep a shunt open after priapism treatment (Peter Attia, 1x).
07Paul Saladino observes that aspirin, by reducing cortisol, inflammation, and lipolysis, has been seen to temporarily cure diabetes (Paul Saladino, 4x).
08Bryan Johnson and David Sinclair claim that reactivating the immune system, for example through low-dose aspirin, can help reduce metastatic risk and improve patient outcomes and survival (Bryan Johnson, David Sinclair, 4x).
09Peter Attia notes that early treatments for myocardial infarction included aspirin (Peter Attia, 1x).
10Andrew Huberman states that approved medications such as aspirin can be used to treat and cure diseases of the brain and body previously considered untreatable (Andrew Huberman, 2x).
11Paul Saladino explains that aspirin, through its metabolite salicylic acid, inhibits the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, thereby reducing cortisol synthesis (Paul Saladino, 2x).
Caveats
Andrew Huberman warns that NSAIDs and aspirin can negatively impact the liver, immune system, and gut microbiome, and can increase bleeding risk. Peter Attia is less inclined to prescribe baby aspirin to low-risk patients following recent study findings, and notes that higher doses of aspirin did not extend longevity in mice. Paul Saladino associates aspirin use with risks including worsening kidney function, macular degeneration, and hearing loss. Peter Attia and Bryan Johnson state that baby aspirin is not evidence-based for individuals without high cardiovascular risk due to bleeding risks. Bryan Johnson and Paul Saladino do not recommend aspirin for primary prevention in older adults due to potential harm. Rhonda Patrick links daily aspirin use to a 26% higher risk of heart failure in individuals with at least one predisposing condition, and notes that older adults taking 100 mg of daily aspirin were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced, metastatic cancers and more likely to die from cancer. Andrew Huberman suggests aspirin may not be ideal for initial wound healing, may burden the liver when used for headaches after drinking, and may not be the best choice for migraine headaches. Bryan Johnson states that low-dose aspirin use is generally unfavorable for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in individuals without the disease. Rhonda Patrick also found that taking ibuprofen and aspirin before sleep disrupts sleep.
What would change this verdict
David Sinclair indicates that human clinical trials are required to confirm aspirin's effects on cancer metastasis, including benefits and risks. The scientific consensus on baby aspirin has shifted, and further research could clarify its role in longevity and disease prevention.