Common blood pressure pill could help you live longer
Turns out, a common blood pressure pill called rilmenidine might do more than just control hypertension—it could actually help you live longer.
In a 2023 study, worms given rilmenidine lived longer and stayed healthier by mimicking the effects of calorie restriction (which is known to boost lifespan but isn't easy to stick with).
Researchers found that this effect depends on something called the nish-1 receptor—if it's switched off, no benefits; switch it back on, and the perks return.
Rilmenidine vs calorie restriction
Unlike strict diets that can make you feel dizzy or weak, rilmenidine is an easy-to-take pill with only mild side effects.
With more people living longer worldwide, scientists think rilmenidine could be a promising way to support healthy aging—no extreme dieting required.
It's now on their radar for future longevity research in humans.