Ray Peat on Aspirin

Short answer: Ray Peat saw aspirin as one of the most broadly protective substances available. He wrote that the fear of it was largely built by companies selling competing drugs, and that its benefits go far beyond blocking prostaglandins.

What Ray Peat wrote about aspirin

He argued that the stomach risk was exaggerated. Warnings about ulcers became loud when newer painkillers needed a market. Aspirin breaks down quickly into acetic acid and salicylic acid, a compound found in many fruits, and he describes salicylic acid as protective for the stomach and the intestine. Source: Aspirin, brain and cancer

He thought the textbook explanation was too narrow. Aspirin blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins, but salicylic acid, which cannot do that in the same way, was already known in the 1800s as a strong anti-inflammatory. Source: Aspirin, brain and cancer

He connected aspirin to estrogen. Polyunsaturated fats and prostaglandins switch on aromatase, the enzyme that makes estrogen, so aspirin lowers estrogen production. He noted that many of its effects are the opposite of estrogen's. Source: Aspirin, brain and cancer, Preventing and treating cancer with progesterone

He described it as pro-metabolic. Aspirin and niacinamide keep fatty acids from flooding the blood, aspirin loosens the coupling of mitochondria the way thyroid hormone does, and he cites work showing better mitochondrial respiration and better control of blood sugar and blood fats. Source: Fatigue, aging, and recuperation, Glycemia, starch, and sugar in context

He recommended it to people with cancer who asked him, and wrote that they usually thought he was joking. He points to its anti-metastatic effect and to its ability to block fatty acid synthase and the growth signals produced by lactate. Source: Aspirin, brain and cancer, Lactate vs. CO2 in wounds, sickness, and aging; the other approach to cancer

For the brain, he mentions that people taking aspirin for arthritis have less Alzheimer's disease, and that aspirin protects against iron toxicity and lipid peroxidation. Source: Alzheimer's: The problem of Alzheimer's disease as a clue to immortality — part 2

On Reye syndrome, the reason aspirin was taken away from children, he cites an Australian study in which six times as many cases had used acetaminophen as had used aspirin. Source: Aspirin, brain and cancer

What he suggested in practice

• Dissolve it in water. He writes that this minimizes the slight irritation a normal dose can cause.
• The stomach builds tolerance over a few days, so a dose can be raised gradually if needed.
• Aspirin and salicylic acid are absorbed through the skin. Rheumatic problems were once treated by adding it to bath water.
• For fatigue he lists niacinamide, aspirin and carbon dioxide as supplements to use when needed, on top of thyroid and diet.

Where he wrote about it

This topic comes up in 49 of the articles on his site. These are the most relevant ones:

• Aspirin, brain and cancer · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Eclampsia in the Real Organism: A Paradigm of General Distress Applicable in Infants, Adults, Etc · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Glycemia, starch, and sugar in context · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Preventing and treating cancer with progesterone · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Cancer: Disorder and Energy · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Fatigue, aging, and recuperation · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Lactate vs. CO2 in wounds, sickness, and aging; the other approach to cancer · original on raypeat.com ↗
• Multiple sclerosis, protein, fats, and progesterone · original on raypeat.com ↗

My take

In my view aspirin is the most useful anti-inflammatory there is. I dissolve it in hot water with a little baking soda, I add vitamin K2, and I take 5 to 15 g of gelatin or glycine with some sugar first.

Standard medical advice warns about stomach irritation and bleeding. If you have ulcers, a bleeding problem or take blood thinners, talk to your doctor first.

Quick answers

Did Ray Peat recommend aspirin?

Yes. In his article Aspirin, brain and cancer he describes aspirin as protective for the circulation, the brain and against cancer, and says he recommends it to people with cancer who ask for his advice.

What did Ray Peat say about aspirin and the stomach?

He wrote that the risk was overstated, that the salicylic acid released from aspirin is protective for the stomach and intestine, that dissolving aspirin in water minimizes irritation, and that the stomach adapts within a few days.

How did Ray Peat suggest taking aspirin?

Dissolved in water. He also notes that it is absorbed through the skin.