Imagine your cells have a “growth” switch called mTOR. When this switch is constantly “on,” it can lead to wear and tear, like a car engine that’s always revving. Rapamycin acts like a dimmer switch for mTOR, turning it down to a healthier level. This allows your cells to focus on repair and maintenance instead of just growth. One way it does this is by boosting autophagy, which is like your cells’ built-in cleaning crew. Autophagy clears out junk and damaged parts, keeping your cells running smoothly. Rapamycin also helps slow down cellular aging, which is like preventing rust from building up on your car. While scientists are still figuring out all the ways rapamycin works, its ability to fine-tune this “growth switch” and promote cellular cleaning seems to be key to its anti-aging potential.