Could humans live to 150? Why some researchers think we’re on the cusp of a major longevity breakthrough
Article Date: 12 November 2025
Article URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03524-4
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Summary
This Nature Index feature examines whether humans might one day live to 150. It frames a debate between optimistic researchers (like Stephen Austad, who even bet someone alive today will reach 150) and sceptics (like Jay Olshansky), then outlines the growing field of geroscience that aims to slow biological ageing rather than treat single diseases. Key avenues covered include insights from centenarians, calorie-restriction biology, sirtuins and NAD+ boosters, blocking inflammatory pathways (notably IL-11 antibodies that extended mouse lifespan by up to 25%), repurposed drugs such as rapamycin and metformin, and the mixed human trial results to date (for example, disappointing early senolytic outcomes). The piece stresses translation challenges from animal models to people and emphasises improving healthspan — living better, not just longer.
Key Points
- There is active debate: some researchers predict radical lifespan gains, others warn increases have stalled without altering ageing itself.
- Geroscience targets ageing as the common risk factor for multiple age-related diseases to extend healthspan rather than only treating illnesses.
- Centenarian studies and calorie-restriction research reveal mechanisms (e.g. sirtuins, NAD+) that are promising leads for human interventions.
- Anti-inflammatory approaches show promise: blocking IL-11 extended mouse lifespan and is now entering clinical trials backed by big industry players.
- Senolytics have not yet delivered clear benefits in people despite strong animal data — highlighting translation risks.
- Repurposed drugs: rapamycin closely mimics calorie restriction and shows robust lifespan effects in animals; metformin’s benefits are unclear in comparative analyses.
- Researchers caution that many animal studies use idealised lab conditions; interventions that work across varied, realistic conditions will be most credible.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you care about living longer and, crucially, living better, this is the must-read primer. It distils where the real promise sits (and where hype falls flat) — from hopeful mouse results to early human trials and the hard reality of translation. We’ve skimmed the science, pulled out the sensible bets (NAD+ pathways, IL-11 blockers, rapamycin) and flagged the dead ends (so far, senolytics and unclear metformin benefits). Read this to get up to speed fast on what might actually change how we age.