In this episode of Optispan, longevity researcher and New Zealand physician Dr. Brad Stanfield discusses his evidence-based approach to aging science, his motivation for launching a YouTube channel to counter misinformation, and his bold decision to personally fund a clinical trial on rapamycin.

Key Points:

Dr. Brad Stanfield risked his own savings to test rapamycin’s potential for healthy aging. His story reflects the growing movement for rigorous, evidence-based longevity research. From YouTube to clinical trials, Stanfield bridges medicine, skepticism, and public trust.

• From Doctor to Longevity Educator: Brad describes his path from hospital medicine to becoming a primary care physician passionate about healthy aging and evidence-based lifestyle medicine.
• Combating Health Misinformation: Frustrated by exaggerated claims online, he started his YouTube channel in 2019 to interpret clinical data for the public using rigorous medical guidelines.
• Integrity in Science Communication: Stanfield stresses the responsibility of physicians to admit mistakes, sharing how he revised earlier views on resveratrol, sulforaphane, and metformin after reviewing stronger evidence.
• Rapamycin Trial & Personal Risk: Determined to generate solid human data, he led a $500,000 clinical study testing weekly rapamycin dosing on muscle performance in older adults—funding part of it by mortgaging his home.
• Commitment to Evidence: He outlines how the trial followed CONSORT standards to ensure robust design and has now been submitted for peer review, with promising early findings.
• Preventive Medicine Perspective: Stanfield contrasts New Zealand’s prevention-focused public health model with the more reactive U.S. system, highlighting cost-effectiveness and patient-centered care.
• Critical Thinking in Longevity Science: He cautions against unvalidated “biological age” tests and emphasizes that only well-designed clinical trials can drive genuine progress in longevity medicine.