A startup claims it’s found a drug to make your blood young

I recently became a "longevity influencer" when Generation Lab approached me to write about their new rejuvenation treatment. Their injectable combination of two existing drugs, called 1-Generation, allegedly blocks systemic aging in the bloodstream, reawakens the body's repair mechanism, and restores health to multiple tissues.

Generation Lab CEO Alina Su shared the exclusive offer with a limited number of trusted individuals under close physician supervision. The company received a long waitlist, including celebrities and well-known figures.

During a conference call, Su expressed excitement about creating the first longevity therapeutic in the human body. However, Generation Lab wouldn't disclose the two drugs, making the claim difficult to take seriously. This pitch piqued my interest, as I'm a long-time follower of Generation Lab's founder, Irina Conboy. Conboy's work involves parabiosis, or heterochronic blood exchange, between old and young lab animals, a method that's been proven to make old animals act younger.

Conboy has been taking the drug combination and reports feeling better and more energetic, alongside other insiders such as Su and Conboy's husband, Michael Conboy. However, the company's claim of benefits experienced by participants, like improved vision, increased bowel movements, and better erections, is unproven and raises concerns. Generation Lab plans to launch a larger, paid study with alternative medicine doctors who have questionable track records.

While young blood has been shown to be beneficial for old mice, the reverse is also true: aged blood negatively impacts younger animals. Conboy emphasizes that "old blood dominates" in the age versus youth battle. Nonetheless, some participants have reported a sense of mental clarity and relief from aches and pains after taking the weekly injections. Nevertheless, the mechanism behind these effects remains unclear, leaving many questions unanswered.