Overview
Aspirin is one of the most systemically protective substances available. It inhibits the synthesis of cortisol, lowers circulating serotonin, blocks the absorption of tryptophan from food, inhibits the aromatase enzyme (responsible for producing estrogen) and reduces the free fatty acids that drive the Randle cycle. Aspirin has preventive effects on cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and virtually every major cancer type. It lowers nitric oxide synthase, inhibits platelet aggregation (primarily through serotonin reduction), blocks the production of prostoglandins, reverses insulin resistance at very high doses, and even exhibits antibiotic and antiviral properties.
Key Points
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Aspirin inhibits cortisol synthesis at the tissue level. Salicylic acid, the metabolite aspirin converts to in the body, is a potent inhibitor of 11-beta-HSD1 (the enzyme responsible for synthesising cortisol). A single tablet produces a several-hour window of reduced cortisol production. This is distinct from, and additive to, its anti-inflammatory effects.
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Aspirin lowers blood serotonin by approximately 30%. Even a baby aspirin drops blood serotonin significantly. It achieves this both by inhibiting platelet uptake of serotonin and, crucially, by blocking the absorption of tryptophan from food in the gut (serotonin can only be synthesised from tryptophan).
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Aspirin inhibits aromatase and opposes estrogen. It directly inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which synthesises all forms of estrogen from androgen precursors. Georgi describes aspirin as a "functional estrogen antagonist" - its effects on the cell are approximately opposite to those of estrogen across roughly fifty different mechanisms. He cites a JAMA paper describing aromatase inhibitors as a viable treatment for heart disease.
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Aspirin is anti-lipolytic. It inhibits the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue, which directly reduces the Randle cycle suppression of glucose oxidation. At very high doses (six to nine grams daily), it also inhibits fatty acid oxidation directly - this dose was used in a two-week human trial to fully reverse insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics with no reported side effects.
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Aspirin stands alone among NSAIDs. Every other NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, acetaminophen) carries a known risk of sudden cardiac death and has a black-box warning for cardiovascular events. Aspirin is the only NSAID associated with reduced cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality.
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Aspirin lowers parathyroid hormone and is broadly protective for bone. Low-dose tetracycline (20 mg twice daily) and aspirin both lower parathyroid hormone, which Georgi identifies as one of the primary drivers of osteoporosis and a direct cause of diabetes. He places aspirin in a class of metabolic restorers alongside niacinamide and vitamin K.
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Aspirin reduces prostoglandin formation. It blocks the conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids into prostaglandins, the short-acting hormones that amplify almost any inflammatory signal throughout the brain, heart, and every organ.
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Aspirin protects mitochondrial respiration. It inhibits nitric oxide through at least two or three direct and indirect routes, which is one reason it protects mitochondrial respiration and defends against cancer, diabetic damage, and viral inflammation.
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Aspirin is a powerful anti-viral treatment. A U.S. trial on AIDS patients was reportedly terminated when high-dose aspirin began looking too successful.
Notable Quotes
"Aspirin in the body metabolises into something called salicylic acid and salicylic acid is a very potent inhibitor of the enzyme 11-beta-HSD1, which is the enzyme responsible for synthesising cortisol. So every time you ingest aspirin, for the next few hours you will produce less cortisol and you don't have to overdo it, a single tablet will do."
[Georgi Dinkov — How to Naturally Lower Cortisol & Optimize Your Health with Georgi Dinkov]
"Every single one of the NSAID drugs with the notable exception of aspirin has a known lethal side effect, sudden cardiac death. And ibuprofen is the one that has the highest risk to the point where the FDA now is requiring black-box warnings on these drugs that are sold over the counter. Isn't this a no-brainer? You have this drug right there, it's cheaper even than the ibuprofen, it has a longer history of usage, it has a better-known side effect profile."
[Georgi Dinkov — Prenatal and Neonatal Development with Georgi Dinkov (Butter Living Podcast)]
"There is no system in the body that aspirin does not affect in some form or shape or fashion, directly or indirectly. Three hormones out there are the carriers of the stress response - cortisol, estrogen, and serotonin. Aspirin inhibits all three."
[Georgi Dinkov — Stress & Weight Gain, Estrogen & Endotoxins w/ Georgi Dinkov]
"Four grams of aspirin daily for two weeks basically completely removed the symptoms of AIDS. These people already were at risk of dying from pneumonia. The conclusions are there. Nobody died."
[Georgi Dinkov — A Bioenergetic View of Autoimmunity (Generative Energy #12)]
"Something as simple and dirt cheap as aspirin can be so dramatically beneficial. And if you show this to your doctor, chances are the doctor will try to brush it aside. But I would firmly stand my ground on aspirin."
[Georgi Dinkov — Prenatal and Neonatal Development with Georgi Dinkov (Butter Living Podcast)]
"There was a study (on using aspirin for HIV) that the government canceled when it looked like it was going to be too successful because it would be terrible for the drug industry. And very cheap."
[Ray Peat — KMUD: How To Restore And Protect Nerves]
"In higher doses, aspirin depletes the amino acid L-carnitine and starts to work very similarly to the drug Meldonium. So if you take more than, I don't know, it depends for each person, but over a gram or two grams, it inhibits significantly the oxidation of fat to cause a drop in blood sugar. So I would certainly take it with something sweet if you're taking higher doses."
[Georgi Dinkov — 51 Heat Shock Proteins, Antibiotic Resistance, DHT Safety, timestamp not available, Georgi speaking with Ray concurring]
"Aspirin improves calcium retention in bones, and it isn't as profitable as an osteoporosis drug as bisphosphonates and such things, but it's very safe as long as you take vitamin K along with it."
[Ray Peat — KMUD: Hair Loss, Inflammation and Osteoporosis]
Important Things to Consider
Dosage context matters. Georgi typically recommends one or two standard tablets (225-325 mg) taken with meals for general anti-stress purposes. He distinguishes this sharply from the very high doses (six to nine grams daily) used in specific research contexts for insulin resistance reversal or HIV. He is not advocating those doses for general use.
Take with food. Taking aspirin with food is recommended because it inhibits tryptophan absorption at the gut level. Taking it with food also reduces the risk of gastric irritation.
Do not substitute other NSAIDs. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen do not share aspirin's beneficial mechanisms and in fact, carry serious cardiovascular risks that aspirin does not. Georgi has noted that in a preeclampsia trial, other NSAIDs were tested and failed where aspirin succeeded.
Always pair with vitamin K. The bleeding risk that dominates mainstream worries about aspirin is real only in the context of a vitamin K deficiency. Ray's standard recommendation is roughly 1 mg of natural vitamin K (K1 and K2, not synthetic K3) per 325 mg aspirin tablet. Vitamin K can be consumed from food sources like cooked kale, liver, and aged cheese. He says you cannot reliably count on intestinal bacteria to supply vitamin K, especially after antibiotics.
High doses can cause hypoglycemia. Above roughly 1 to 2 grams at once, aspirin starts depleting L-carnitine and inhibiting fat oxidation enough to drop blood sugar. Higher doses should be taken with something sweet, and with food generally.
Fillers and excipients matter. Ray notes that many retail aspirin tablets contain junk additives. If only pill form is available, dissolve it in hot water and let the fillers settle out before drinking the sour water. Pure acetylsalicylic acid from pet supply or chemical supply companies is an alternative.
Where To Buy
Coming Soon.