More people are turning to technology to manipulate their bodies. Some devices claim they can improve muscle performance, boost cellular energy production and reduce pain.
One characteristic shared by biohackers is their desire to track everything they do – using technology tools such as heart rate monitors, pedometers and smartwatches as their measuring sticks for success.
EEG Technology
EEG technology is a critical element of biohacking as it measures brain activity. EEG measurements can provide valuable insight into basic research on brain functions, clinical diagnosis of neurological conditions and various applications such as neuromarketing, affective computing and biometric security.
Data can also be utilized to develop various new products, from cognitive enhancement tools such as brain training games to home EEG headsets for increasing focus. The key here is striking a balance between these uses of EEG technology and maintaining a responsible approach towards safety.
Biohackers seek to enhance their performance in various ways. Their aim may be increasing concentration at work or giving themselves an edge in sports competition; whatever it may be, their goal is always the same – doing more in less time – so they’re willing to try anything that might help.
Many biohackers are also passionate about exploring ways to extend the lifespan of their bodies through experimentation. One such experiment would involve cryotherapy – immersing themselves in extremely cold temperatures to reduce inflammation and improve heart health – an age-old method which has yet to gain widespread popularity with mainstream users.
Though these concerns exist, brain hacking remains popular. According to a recent study, over 20,000 individuals regularly take part in biohacking activities; as more and more people become aware of these techniques’ benefits.
As the market for consumer neuroscience products expands, it’s essential that potential buyers exercise caution when hearing claims of superhuman abilities from marketing materials and advertisements. Also remembering these devices are not medical in nature but more along the lines of fitness or wellness products which could mean they fall under less stringent regulatory oversight.
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy is an innovative technology that falls under biohacking, an approach to improving health at the cellular level through do-it-yourself methods. Utilizing special LED bulbs or masks designed to penetrate skin cells and positively influence mitochondria, Red Light Therapy uses light waves designed to penetrate deeply enough that its beneficial effects reach deeper than skin depth and influence mitochondria inside each cell.
Red light exposure causes mitochondria to produce more Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the energy source that powers cells. ATP stores itself within each cell like money would in a bank until needed; any extra produced by mitochondria could help make cells operate more efficiently.
Red light therapy encompasses other biohacking techniques, such as increasing melatonin production, regulating circadian rhythms, increasing strength and endurance training, decreasing inflammation levels, balancing hormones and helping fight neurodegenerative disease. Red light therapy has been demonstrated as beneficial in improving sleep, reducing fine lines, healing wounds and injuries faster, strengthening immunity systems more effectively, supporting weight loss campaigns, fighting autoimmune diseases or improving hair growth – among many other conditions.
Whole body cryotherapy is another popular biohacking technique, employing liquid nitrogen to freeze the upper layer of skin to replicate an ice bath or polar plunge experience. According to Avalon, whole body cryotherapy provides pain relief while simultaneously managing stress hormone levels, increasing testosterone levels, decreasing inflammation responses and increasing anti-oxidants levels – among many other advantages.
Red light therapy isn’t the only biohacking practice similar to acupuncture that uses needles in specific places around the body to stimulate specific points for holistic healing effects. There are also companies offering infrasound vibration devices which use bone conduction technology to stimulate vagus nerve and heart rate regulation while stimulating body’s natural healing processes – especially useful when managing anxiety or depression.
Self-Quantification
Technology has provided people with improved methods and means for monitoring their own physical health and well-being data, which they use to optimize performance and enhance both mind and body – known as biohacking.
This movement towards self-quantification is propelled by an emerging wave of wearable devices that allow users to gather data on their sleep, exercise, diet and more. By analyzing this data, people can make adjustments that could improve fitness or brain function through lifestyle modifications or diet adjustments.
Biohacking is often associated with contemporary technologies like self-tracking and alternative/holistic health cultures; however, biohacking stands apart due to its emphasis on sensory perception as an exclusive interface with the world and central component of embodied knowledge. Furthermore, it draws upon various neoliberal cultural dominants such as individualism and consumerism that play into biohackers’ positioning themselves as experts who “know what they’re talking about”, often making regular appearances at wellness events as speakers.
At home biohacking machines can be found for sale, including Cold Plunge Tub, Infrared Sauna Blanket, Life Force Lumen and Compex EMS Device. Each model is evaluated against various criteria that take into account footprint and portability, delivery/set up time/cost value/ergonomics construction durability drainage cleaning as well as financing – the right machine depends entirely on you so it is wise to read product descriptions thoroughly prior to making a purchase decision.
Though biohacking offers numerous advantages, its downsides should also be taken seriously. One major drawback of biohacking is our insufficient understanding of human brain functions; thus neuro-enhancement may cause unintended health risks to users. Furthermore, biohacking may lead to overreliance on technological solutions.
Biohackers use numerous devices and techniques based on scientific theories that have yet to be proven, particularly neuroenhancing techniques based on frequencies being activated within different parts of the brain. While some support has been provided from within medical community for such therapies, no definitive proof exists as to their efficacy.
Blood Testing
Biohackers employ various tools and strategies to optimize their health, fitness, and wellbeing. Many strategies considered safe and beneficial by biohackers – such as intermittent fasting or sleep schedule adjustments – while more advanced biohacking techniques such as gene editing may pose risks if implemented incorrectly.
One popular biohacking machine is blood testing devices. Tony Robbins co-founded Life Force, a telehealth company offering blood testing at both labs and mobile phlebotomist services to users before meeting with medical professionals to understand their results, which measure hormones, nutrients, cholesterol levels, triglycerides and other indicators of wellness.
Biohackers utilize various supplements, tools, gadgets and devices to alter the natural processes in their bodies – anything from an EEG headset to more intricate modifications of organs is used to do this.
Alongside these machines, biohackers often experiment with implants and other technologies to augment their physical bodies. Some biohackers implant small neodymium magnets into their fingertips so they can feel electromagnetic fields similar to an enhanced sixth sense. Others utilize gesture-responsive Bluetooth light implants that change colors using phone apps.
Biohacking may seem dangerous, but most biohackers take steps to mitigate any risks involved with their work. Many follow transhumanism’s philosophy of augmenting human intelligence and physiology with technology.
Biohacking remains in its infancy, with many researchers likening its development to that of self-taught computer builders in the 1970s. Unfortunately, unlike computer tinkerers who tinkered with homebuilt machines, biohacking equipment and materials may not be readily available to regular people; this has hindered progress compared to when computer hackers worked on homebuilt machines; nonetheless, biohackers remain resilient; perhaps in due time some may produce lifesaving gene therapies from these innovative tinkerers.
