| Biohackers and the media are hot on aspirin right now, but is it legit or hype? Aspirin, as we know it today, was officially discovered in 1897 by Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at the German company Bayer. He synthesized a stable form of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which became the active ingredient in aspirin. (short on time? click on the orange button at the end of the email for my summary). However, the origins of aspirin go much further back:Ancient use: People have used willow bark for thousands of years to relieve pain and fever — as far back as ancient Egypt and Hippocrates’ Greece (around 400 BCE). Willow bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic acid.19th century chemistry: In 1838, Italian chemist Raffaele Piria first isolated salicylic acid from willow bark and synthesized it, but it was too harsh on the stomach in its pure form. Aspirin works by blocking an enzyme in your body that plays a big role in inflammation, pain, and blood clotting. 🧪 Here’s how it works step-by-step:1. Enzyme BlockerAspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) — mainly COX-1 and COX-2.COX enzymes help produce prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that trigger:InflammationPainFeverBlood clotting2. Reduces Pain & InflammationBy blocking COX enzymes, aspirin reduces the production of prostaglandins, which means:Less swellingLess painLower fever3. Prevents Clots (in low doses)Aspirin also reduces the stickiness of platelets — the cells that help blood clot.This is why low-dose aspirin is often used to prevent heart attacks or strokes in some people — it keeps blood flowing by stopping unnecessary clot formation. 🧠 In a nutshell:Aspirin “turns down” the body’s pain, inflammation, and clotting signals by blocking enzymes that trigger those responses. So when a 2018 study showed aspirin + high fiber diet suppressed the colon cancer process I was intrigued. Turns out foods high in salicylic acid paired with curcumin, resveratrol and anthocyanin (think blueberries) also help to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the COX2 inflammatory response. Aspirin being one of the oldest and most effective medicines out there has me thinking it may have merit as something to take as you get older OR incorporating white willow bark into a daily tea regimen could be an option as well (there is research on willow promoting this effect too look here). Another research article on aspirin showed NSAIDS over 24 months 12% decreased risk dementia and 21% decrease in Alzheimer’s risk in APOE negative folks. Helped on Amyloid plaque reduction. Ibuprofen did’t help! But what about aspirin’s impact on the stomach and rest of the body? 🩸 1. Stomach Irritation & UlcersWhy: Aspirin inhibits COX-1 enzymes, which protect the stomach lining.Result: This can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even gastric ulcers or bleeding.Impact is much less with baby aspirin 💔 2. Increased Risk of BleedingWhy: Aspirin thins the blood by reducing platelet aggregation.Result: This increases the risk of internal bleeding, especially in the stomach and brain (like in cases of a head injury). 🚫 3. Kidney or Liver StressHigh or long-term use may impair kidney or liver function, especially if:You’re dehydratedYou take it with other medicationsYou have pre-existing conditions 🧒 4. Risk in Children – Reye’s SyndromeNever give aspirin to children with viral infections (like flu or chickenpox) due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the liver and brain. ✅ Ways to Minimize Harm:Take with food or a full glass of waterUse the lowest effective doseAvoid mixing with alcohol or other NSAIDsEnteric-coated aspirin can reduce stomach irritation Now before you go grab Bayer baby aspirin know it has PEG, talc and corn starch in it and there are no alternatives that I’m aware of that do not contain these additives. The solution? – You can have a compounding pharmacy make you a buffered aspirin without the chemicals to take daily OR opt for the herbal route and get some willow bark. A few years ago, low dose naltrexone was the “hot” anti-inflammatory of biohackers but it is an opioid and a lot of my clients didn’t like the side effects. Considering compounded aspirin or white willow bark may be a more suitable alternative. Here’s to considerations for lowering inflammation and cancer risk, Dr. J PS: I made a quick handout on this topic to make it easier for sharing!Click the link below to see it. |
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