There are countless people out there looking for ways to enhance their lives and optimize performance – they’re known as biohackers.
Attaining wellness involves optimizing both body and mind through diet, supplements, exercise and restful sleep; taking nootropic drugs to increase productivity may also prove effective.
Supplements and drugs can be very costly, with potentially severe side effects.
What is Biohacking?
Biohacking refers to human enhancement techniques that aim to increase focus, enhance cognitive functioning, and slow the aging process. Such practices could include anything from taking supplements for brain health improvement or nootropics for productivity boost. Most often though, these practices cannot be proven and should be seen as experiments on oneself.
Some biohackers turn to these techniques in order to manage personal difficulties such as anxiety or depression; others simply seek ways to enhance their overall quality of life. Furthermore, biohacking techniques have also proven helpful when used as part of recovery programs for addiction and mental health conditions; for instance, rehabs offering nootropics such as Adderall and IV drip therapy may assist patients in controlling cravings while increasing overall wellness.
Biohacking takes many different forms, with some common themes including food, exercise and sleep routine experimentation to improve mood, energy levels and athletic performance. Other approaches may involve monitoring or controlling bodily functions such as blood sugar or heart rate with technology or implanting chips or magnets underneath their skin to unlock doors or pay for coffee purchases.
Though biohacking carries its share of risks, many believe it necessary in order to overcome some of the shortcomings of modern medicine. Some biohackers believe self-DNA manipulation could provide personalized therapies for cancer and other illnesses; others note the excessive cost of pharmaceutical drugs or lack of cures for chronic debilitating conditions as reasons why biohacking may be necessary.
How do Biohackers Increase Their Productivity?
Biohackers are people who utilize various techniques and technologies to manipulate their body in order to enhance performance and overall health, including fitness, nutrition, sleep, cognitive enhancement, smart drugs or supplements (known as nootropics ) which may help increase focus, work faster or increase memory – however these substances should only ever be taken under medical advice.
Biohackers strive to maximize human potential and become their best selves through diet, exercise, sleep and nootropics. In order to do this effectively, biohackers assess their current state and then make gradual lifestyle changes until determining if a change has made an impactful difference in progressing or not.
Biohackers may use sleep trackers to monitor how much they’re sleeping and make adjustments accordingly, such as going to bed earlier, taking a daytime nap, or forgoing caffeine before sleep time. They then measure how these changes impact performance and well-being.
Biohackers may experiment with different supplements and research chemicals that are unregulated, often with potentially serious side effects. Still, biohackers strive for excellence and will do whatever it takes to reach their goals – as seen with Chris Dorsey who consumes one meal daily while fasting on weekends, sleeps eight hours every night, uses sauna sessions as detox treatments as well as ice baths as part of his workout and diet regimens.
What are Nootropics?
Nootropics are chemical compounds and natural supplements designed to improve concentration, memory and mental clarity in healthy people. Nootropics range from synthetic drugs like amphetamines and modafinil to plant-based substances like Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monnieri as well as amino acids, vitamins (B6, B12 D K) fish oil supplements and herbs; while prescription drugs like Adderall and Donepezil can also help.
Since supplements are not subject to FDA oversight like prescription medications are, it’s possible that some supplements do not deliver what their labels indicate. Therefore, when purchasing nootropics it’s wise to do your own due diligence by consulting with an appropriate healthcare provider or registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN).
Nootropic users often customize their own “stacks” of supplements and drugs to find out which combination best meets their needs. These combinations can get quite complex; many are designed to work synergistically for better brainpower boosting. One popular biohacker on Reddit claims they became morning people through taking amino acid L-Arginine combined with Ginkgo Biloba extract and Bromelain found in pineapples to increase circulation and boost immunity.
Some neurohackers take neurohacking to extremes by abusing medical-grade stimulants like Adderall to improve focus and cognitive function. Such practices can be potentially life-threatening; before undertaking such practices yourself, always consult a qualified healthcare provider first.
What are the Side Effects of Nootropics?
Nootropics may help enhance productivity and learning abilities, but their side effects can be dangerous if misused. When taken incorrectly, nootropics may interfere with sleep patterns and cause long-term hormonal shifts that have detrimental effects on health and the mind; additionally, some supplements may contain high doses of certain ingredients or be contaminated.
Nootropics refers to an umbrella term for chemical compounds and natural substances known to enhance cognitive performance, including prescription medications like Adderall and Ritalin used to treat ADHD as well as modafinil used for helping with narcolepsy or other sleep disorders, along with modafinil for helping those suffering with sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Nootropics also encompass herbal supplements like L-Tyrosine or Bacopa Monnier as well as nutritional supplements including Acetylcholine, Creatine Fish Oil or Ginkgo Biloba among many others.
Silicon Valley companies have recently begun marketing nootropics (brain supplements) to the biohacker community, even offering consumer-friendly chewable cubes with coffee flavors for chewing. Nootrobox hopes its products may eventually reach convenience stores near cash registers and eventually make an appearance there as well.
Nootropics is a growing industry as more and more people look for an edge at work, yet no safe dosage exists; even over-the-counter supplements may contain harmful side effects or could become addictive substances. Therefore, before trying any mind-enhancing substances or supplements it’s wise to speak to a medical provider beforehand.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous system stimulants used to increase focus while decreasing impulsivity. It has been FDA-approved as an ADHD treatment and may also help manage narcolepsy symptoms.
Amphetamines may produce serious side effects, including changes to your heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and loss of consciousness. People with heart conditions should consult their physician prior to taking Adderall to monitor for these adverse reactions, especially as alcohol-mimicking medication such as Adderall may amplify these side effects. Also keep in mind that drinking too much while on Adderall could amplify them further.
Adderall XR and short-acting Adderall are available by valid valid prescription only and classified by the DEA as Schedule II drugs, meaning it has a high potential for misuse and abuse. Abuse includes snorting or injecting it, which could lead to overdose or death; those with histories of substance use disorders are particularly at risk for dependency or abuse of this drug.
Short-acting Adderall has been FDA-approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It can increase alertness and help control impulsivity for people living with ADHD while controlling sleep-wake cycles in those suffering narcolepsy. Doctors also often prescribe Adderall to treat other conditions like treatment-resistant depression.
Adderall can be taken at an effective maximum daily dosage for most adults: 60 mg. Your doctor will monitor you closely to avoid side effects, and determine the appropriate dose based on age, weight and condition. Adderall tablets should be swallowed directly upon awakening or every four to six hours as prescribed; its extended-release capsule version should only be taken once daily in the morning.
