The science of living longer and better
How aging works, what keeps people healthy, and which popular interventions actually have evidence, written to university standards and graded by the strength of the research.
The science of aging
What changes in cells and bodies as we age, how it is measured, and the studies that built the field.
The 12 hallmarks of aging
The framework scientists use to describe what goes wrong in cells and tissues as we age.
9 min readLifespan, healthspan and the gap between them
Living longer is not the same as living well. Here is what the numbers show.
6 min readMeasuring aging: biological age and its biomarkers
Epigenetic clocks, fitness, grip strength and walking speed: what they measure and how much to trust them.
8 min readLandmark studies in the science of aging
The experiments that turned aging from an inevitability into a field of science.
8 min readBlue Zones, supercentenarians and longevity myths
Why scientists question some of the most popular longevity stories, and how to judge them.
7 min readWellness: what the evidence supports
The habits with the strongest links to longer, healthier lives, based on official guidelines and large studies.
Move
150–300 min of moderate activity a week, plus strength training twice a week.
Sleep
At least 7 hours a night for adults, on a regular schedule.
Eat well
Plant-forward patterns such as the Mediterranean diet; enough protein with age.
Connect
Strong social ties are linked to a 50% higher likelihood of survival.
Manage stress
Exercise, therapy and mindfulness have good evidence.
Avoid big risks
No smoking, limited alcohol, and controlled blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol.
Peptides studied for longevity
Every peptide and related compound in our library researched for aging, ordered from the strongest human evidence to the weakest.
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
GHK-Cu
NAD+
Epitalon
Humanin
MOTS-c
SHLP2
Peptides by wellness goal
Energy & mitochondria
5 compounds, graded by evidence
Sleep
3 compounds, graded by evidence
Recovery & repair
6 compounds, graded by evidence
Brain & mood
7 compounds, graded by evidence
Immunity
5 compounds, graded by evidence
Skin & hair
2 compounds, graded by evidence
Weight & metabolism
13 compounds, graded by evidence
Heart & blood
5 compounds, graded by evidence
Hormones & bone
11 compounds, graded by evidence
Longevity evidence tracker
Popular interventions, graded by the strength of human evidence.
| Intervention | The question | Evidence | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+ boosters (NMN and NR) | Can NMN or NR restore NAD+ and slow aging? | Early human | Raise NAD+ levels; health benefits unproven |
| Rapamycin | Can rapamycin slow aging in people? | Controlled trials | Promising in animals; human evidence early |
| Metformin | Is metformin an anti-aging drug? | Controlled trials | Strong diabetes drug; no proven anti-aging effect |
| GLP-1 drugs and aging | Do GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide slow aging? | Approved use | Proven for specific diseases; not shown to slow aging |
| Creatine | Does creatine help muscle and brain with age? | Controlled trials | Good for muscle with training; brain effects modest |
| Collagen peptides | Do collagen supplements improve aging skin? | Controlled trials | Small benefits for hydration; evidence mixed |
| “Longevity peptides” | Do peptides like epitalon, MOTS-c and humanin slow aging? | Preclinical | Mostly preclinical |
Evidence reports
In-depth reviews with sources.
NAD+ boosters (NMN and NR)
Can NMN or NR restore NAD+ and slow aging?
Raise NAD+ levels; health benefits unprovenControlled trialsRapamycin
Can rapamycin slow aging in people?
Promising in animals; human evidence earlyControlled trialsMetformin
Is metformin an anti-aging drug?
Strong diabetes drug; no proven anti-aging effectApproved useGLP-1 drugs and aging
Do GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide slow aging?
Proven for specific diseases; not shown to slow agingControlled trialsCreatine
Does creatine help muscle and brain with age?
Good for muscle with training; brain effects modestControlled trialsCollagen peptides
Do collagen supplements improve aging skin?
Small benefits for hydration; evidence mixedPreclinical“Longevity peptides”
Do peptides like epitalon, MOTS-c and humanin slow aging?
Mostly preclinicalStudy longevity, from associate to PhD
A free curriculum in four levels, each with learning objectives, VALREXA guides and primary readings, plus degree and career paths.
Associate
Foundations of aging and wellness
Level 2Bachelor
The biology of aging
Level 3Master
Research methods in aging and healthspan
Level 4Doctoral
Frontiers and debates in geroscience
Educational content only, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your health routine, starting a supplement or medication, or stopping a treatment.
Put your understanding to work
Choose a next step, at your own pace.