How Close Are We To Slowing Aging? | Dr. Eric Verdin, ​​President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging

What if aging itself becomes something we can measure, slow, and eventually treat?In this episode of The Health Curve Podcast, host Dr. Jason Arora sits down with Dr. Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, to explore one of the biggest questions in science today: how close are we really to slowing human aging?Dr. Verdin has spent decades at the forefront of aging biology, from early discoveries in epigenetics to leading one of the world’s premier longevity research institutes. In this conversation, he explains what fundamentally changed the field of aging research, why scientists are now more optimistic than ever, and what still stands in the way of translating these breakthroughs into real-world impact.They discuss how aging shifted from being seen as a passive, inevitable process to something that can be actively influenced at the molecular level. They unpack the scientific bottlenecks that have slowed progress in humans, including long timelines, safety requirements, and the lack of a clear regulatory pathway for targeting aging itself.The conversation also dives into emerging tools like epigenetic clocks and biomarkers of aging, which may allow us to measure biological age and track interventions in real time. They explore how AI and “digital twins” could accelerate research, and why funding, regulation, and existing healthcare incentives remain major constraints.Beyond the science, this episode asks a deeper question: if we do succeed in extending human healthspan and lifespan, are we ready for the consequences? From inequality and access to environmental pressures and system design, Dr. Verdin shares a grounded, realistic perspective on what the future might look like.They also discuss what actually matters today. From exercise, sleep, and social connection to the realities of supplements and longevity clinics, this episode separates what is actionable now from what remains experimental or overhyped.If you’re trying to understand where longevity science really stands, and what it means for your life, your health, and society, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Follow The Health Curve on YouTube for evidence-based conversations that cut through hype and help you navigate your health with clarity.Chapters:00:00 Intro 00:04 Welcome and Dr. Eric Verdin’s background 02:12 The discoveries that changed aging research 05:55 Why translating aging science to humans is so hard 07:31 AI, simulation, and digital twins in aging research 10:19 Aging as a scientific and cultural inflection point 12:26 How close are we to slowing aging in humans? 15:21 What we can do now vs future anti-aging drugs 15:44 Funding, regulation, and system barriers 19:58 Biomarkers, epigenetic clocks, and biological age 23:21 Subscribe and share 24:06 Dr. Verdin’s personal longevity habits 27:34 Supplements, hype, and regulation gaps 28:11 Zip code health and social determinants 32:30 Can drugs replace lifestyle? 35:57 The rise of longevity medicine 39:46 What’s real vs fluff in longevity today 41:05 Are we ready for longer lives? 44:13 AI, aging, and the future 44:50 Closing thoughts