Immortality Drugs
The finite lifespan of mammals is one of the Earth's great tragedies. Virtually all the other animals secrete molecules that rearrange their cytoskeletal structures on a regular basis and cure their fungal infections. Birds, for example, secrete a substance that interferes with the microtubules that interlace the body and causes them to constantly rearrange themselves. It also interferes with fungal cell walls, leaving the organism relatively free of the mycelium that would otherwise colonize its entire body structure. This adaptation gave the dinosaurs and their avian descendants an effectively limitless lifespan. Mollusks, arthropods, turtles, sharks and crocodiles all have similar strategies. Their lifespans are limited by predation rather than aging.
When an organism achieves great age, certain troubles arise, the most prominent being the lack of telomeres. Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences on the ends of chromosomes that are necessary for cellular reproduction. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter. The number of cellular divisions until the telomeres are gone is called the Hayflick limit, around 40 in humans. When unaided mammalian cells reach the Hayflick limit, they cease to reproduce properly and become predisposed to cancer. This is why the skin of aging humans is so thin and blotchy, and why rapidly-reproducing cells like those of the immune system and hair follicles fail as humans advance past their reproductive years. How, then, do the immortal animals avoid this pitfall? It all comes down to microtubule rearrangement and fungal elimination. All organisms, including humans, possess telomerase enzymes whose purpose is to replace telomeres when they run out. In mammals without small-molecule microtubule/fungal inhibitors, the cytoskeletal elements responsible for placing this enzyme into the nucleus fail to operate, and many species of parasitic fungus accumulate and further inhibit proper cellular reproduction. Naturally immortal species hardly notice that their telomeres are shorter; the only difference is that their telomerase enzymes become more active when they get older.
Throughout history, many people have discovered that they can supplement their diets with microtubule/fungus inhibitors and become biologically immortal. When appropriately dosed, virtually no visible aging takes place until the end of the natural period of fertility. People taking such substances regularly have been known to reach ages much in excess of the maximum recorded human age of 122. Most are or were part of traditional societies, where birth records were nonexistent. In modern times, it is not impossible to assume the identity of an appropriately-aged senior citizen, sometimes more than once. Cancer is rare to the point of nonexistence as its genesis depends on deranged microtubule spindles in dividing cells. Fungal infections are eliminated, and viruses are unheard-of as their capsids tend to be destroyed. One of the few visible signs of aging is an increase in freckles and moles, a natural product of sun exposure. As a result, vainer immortals avoid the sun, although most enjoy the daylight anyhow. Aging occurs very rapidly if daily drug administration is discontinued, and is a common method of suicide.
Once immortality techniques are found, they typically spread to the entire tribe or village. The change has predictable effects: general intelligence increases, as does aggression among those with disorganized brain states. Average lifespan increases, but only slightly, as people in primitive societies are at great risk from violence. Typically only a few elders reach more than a century. Fertility rates are somewhat reduced as fewer children die of disease and the population must be kept in check. Perhaps this low fertility rate explains why few immortal cultures survive to this day. Secretive lone immortals, however, are relatively abundant on the 21st century Earth.
The following list provides an overview of common immortality drugs. All must be taken daily to be effective.
When an organism achieves great age, certain troubles arise, the most prominent being the lack of telomeres. Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences on the ends of chromosomes that are necessary for cellular reproduction. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter. The number of cellular divisions until the telomeres are gone is called the Hayflick limit, around 40 in humans. When unaided mammalian cells reach the Hayflick limit, they cease to reproduce properly and become predisposed to cancer. This is why the skin of aging humans is so thin and blotchy, and why rapidly-reproducing cells like those of the immune system and hair follicles fail as humans advance past their reproductive years. How, then, do the immortal animals avoid this pitfall? It all comes down to microtubule rearrangement and fungal elimination. All organisms, including humans, possess telomerase enzymes whose purpose is to replace telomeres when they run out. In mammals without small-molecule microtubule/fungal inhibitors, the cytoskeletal elements responsible for placing this enzyme into the nucleus fail to operate, and many species of parasitic fungus accumulate and further inhibit proper cellular reproduction. Naturally immortal species hardly notice that their telomeres are shorter; the only difference is that their telomerase enzymes become more active when they get older.
Throughout history, many people have discovered that they can supplement their diets with microtubule/fungus inhibitors and become biologically immortal. When appropriately dosed, virtually no visible aging takes place until the end of the natural period of fertility. People taking such substances regularly have been known to reach ages much in excess of the maximum recorded human age of 122. Most are or were part of traditional societies, where birth records were nonexistent. In modern times, it is not impossible to assume the identity of an appropriately-aged senior citizen, sometimes more than once. Cancer is rare to the point of nonexistence as its genesis depends on deranged microtubule spindles in dividing cells. Fungal infections are eliminated, and viruses are unheard-of as their capsids tend to be destroyed. One of the few visible signs of aging is an increase in freckles and moles, a natural product of sun exposure. As a result, vainer immortals avoid the sun, although most enjoy the daylight anyhow. Aging occurs very rapidly if daily drug administration is discontinued, and is a common method of suicide.
Once immortality techniques are found, they typically spread to the entire tribe or village. The change has predictable effects: general intelligence increases, as does aggression among those with disorganized brain states. Average lifespan increases, but only slightly, as people in primitive societies are at great risk from violence. Typically only a few elders reach more than a century. Fertility rates are somewhat reduced as fewer children die of disease and the population must be kept in check. Perhaps this low fertility rate explains why few immortal cultures survive to this day. Secretive lone immortals, however, are relatively abundant on the 21st century Earth.
The following list provides an overview of common immortality drugs. All must be taken daily to be effective.
- Raw flesh of an immortal animal: The most common but least effective. The tissue must be uncooked or else denatured proteins prevent absorption of the active chemicals. Raw chicken eggs consumed daily are the most popular means of administration. This practice was widespread in the ancient Mediterranean.
- Yew foliage: The best natural option available. The yew, commonly grown as a hedge with red berries planted in cemeteries, is widely known to be poisonous in very high doses. Indeed, it has already been refined into a breast cancer drug called taxol. Unfortunate disease may call for extreme measures, but no hair loss is required to prevent cancer and prolong life. Recommended dose is one pea-sized pellet of dried ground needles daily (or one size 00 gel capsule, easy to purchase online).
- Papaya: Both seeds and flesh are active. One seed a day, crushed between the teeth, is sufficient. For the record, Thai green papaya salad is delicious.
- Cinnamon: One of the best of all natural immortality drugs. It is known as the "immortality spice of the tropics" for a reason. Recommended dose is two 00 gel capsules of ground cinnamon daily. Some coldlike symptoms are not unusual during the first week, as fungal elements are eliminated from the throat and sinuses.
- Aspirin: Surprisingly underappreciated. Any dose above one gram (3 tablets) daily will do the trick. By combating generalized inflammation, aspirin also reduces pain and improves mood.
Why, the reader may ask, are these drugs not widely appreciated for what they are? If they were, how would the medical industry make any money?
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