Harvard longevity researcher David Sinclair left Joe Rogan genuinely entertained during their latest podcast appearance by casually revealing that he takes a daily low-dose version of one of the world’s most recognizable treatments, not for the reason most would expect, but for his hair.
During episode #2537 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Sinclair, who studies aging at Harvard Medical School, made the disclosure after Rogan complimented the darkness and fullness of his hair.
“You know what I take for my hair?” Sinclair asked, before answering: “Uh, V*agra.” He quickly added that he prefers not to use the brand name, clarifying the actual compound.
He stated, “It’s low dose. 7 milligrams a day of Tadalafil and it’s good for a lot of things.”
The logic behind it, Sinclair explained, comes down to blood flow. “There’s a lot of evidence that part of the reason hair di3s out and stops growing is a lack of blood flow,” he said, drawing a comparison to Minoxidil, the topical treatment commonly applied to the scalp to stimulate growth.
Tadalafil belongs to a class of treatments known as PDE5 inhibitors, which work by boosting nitric oxide signaling throughout the body, relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation. Sinclair made clear the hair was only one reason he takes it.
“I’m taking it for a number of reasons, including my hair and my prostate,” he told Rogan.
Rogan, who mentioned knowing athletes who use similar treatments for endurance, suggested there was likely also a more obvious motivating factor for many users. Sinclair agreed it was “a nice benefit.”
The conversation around PDE5 inhibitors broadened when Sinclair brought up a recent research paper examining the drugs in the context of cancer. He told Rogan the findings showed the medications may help the immune system attack certain tumors by suppressing cells that normally shield them, while also limiting cancer cells’ ability to use cholesterol as fuel. “What’s not to love,” Sinclair said after referencing the paper.
Sinclair also mentioned taking DHT inhibitors alongside tadalafil for additional hair and prostate support, though he stressed the importance of individual monitoring.
