The Blood of the Young Might Really Be an Anti-Aging Elixir, Researchers Say
The idea that the blood of the young is a magical anti-aging elixir is one the most delightfully macabre themes in folklore and horror. Embodied by the real-life Hungarian countess and serial killer Elizabeth Bathory, who is rumored to have bathed in the blood of young virgins, the trope now encompasses countless vampiric characters who include youth-harvested blood in their health and beauty regimens. It has even been courted by modern day figures like entrepreneur Peter Thiel, who makes no bones about his desire to inject himself with the life-sustaining fluids of the young.
As it turns out, there might be something to the idea that young blood has rejuvenating powers, and fortunately, it is not quite so nefarious as its folkloric reputation would suggest. In a newly released lecture called “Young Blood for Old Brains,” Stanford University neurology professor Tony Wyss-Coray delves into the years of research he and his colleagues have poured into the curious effects of blood-sharing between mice of different ages.
The entire talk, posted Thursday, is available in full. If you are squeamish, be warned: It does involve literally stitching two mice together, an experimental technique known as parabiosis.
Open link for video
The idea that the blood of the young is a magical anti-aging elixir is one the most delightfully macabre themes in folklore and horror. Embodied by the real-life Hungarian countess and serial killer Elizabeth Bathory, who is rumored to have bathed in the blood of young virgins, the trope now encompasses countless vampiric characters who include youth-harvested blood in their health and beauty regimens. It has even been courted by modern day figures like entrepreneur Peter Thiel, who makes no bones about his desire to inject himself with the life-sustaining fluids of the young.
As it turns out, there might be something to the idea that young blood has rejuvenating powers, and fortunately, it is not quite so nefarious as its folkloric reputation would suggest. In a newly released lecture called “Young Blood for Old Brains,” Stanford University neurology professor Tony Wyss-Coray delves into the years of research he and his colleagues have poured into the curious effects of blood-sharing between mice of different ages.
The entire talk, posted Thursday, is available in full. If you are squeamish, be warned: It does involve literally stitching two mice together, an experimental technique known as parabiosis.
Open link for video
