Yoda 1 is a small molecule activator of the Piezo1 ion channel, which plays a key role in cellular mechanosensation—the process by which cells detect and respond to mechanical forces. Its primary application lies in research settings, where it is used to study the physiological and pathological roles of Piezo1 in various biological systems. It is widely used to investigate red blood cell volume regulation, as Piezo1 activation influences ion flux and cell dehydration. This has implications for understanding diseases like hereditary xerocytosis, a genetic disorder involving red blood cell dehydration. Yoda 1 is also applied in vascular biology research to explore how endothelial cells respond to shear stress from blood flow. Activation of Piezo1 by Yoda 1 can trigger calcium signaling, affecting vascular development, blood pressure regulation, and angiogenesis. In stem cell and developmental biology, Yoda 1 helps probe how mechanical cues influence cell differentiation and tissue formation. It enables researchers to mimic mechanical stimulation in vitro, offering insights into tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Due to its specificity for Piezo1 over Piezo2, Yoda 1 serves as a valuable pharmacological tool to dissect the distinct functions of these channels without genetic manipulation. It does not cross-activate other ion channels broadly, making it a selective probe in electrophysiological and imaging studies. While not used therapeutically, Yoda 1 supports drug discovery efforts by validating Piezo1 as a potential target for conditions involving abnormal mechanosignaling, such as hypertension, muscular dystrophy, and certain cancers.