Biohacking refers to an array of techniques used to enhance health and performance. It encompasses popular meditation practices like mindfulness as well as exploring supplements. Furthermore, less conventional forms of biotechnology such as microchip implants may also fall within this definition.
DIY genetic modification might sound frightening, but biohackers’ main objective is usually natural health enhancement. A popular practice among biohackers is Hormesis — an ordeal designed to shock the body into better health.
1. You’re the boss of your body
Biohacking, one of the many wellness trends that comes and goes, appears to be here to stay. From podcasts and Netflix documentaries, to popping up all over your For You feed and suggesting you can hack your body to feel better and perform better, biohacking has taken off in popularity over recent months. But what exactly is it and is its credibility accepted by medical practitioners?
Biohacking involves deliberately making changes to your habits, diet and environment through self-experimentation and technology in order to optimize how both your mind and body operate. It might involve tracking sleep patterns, trying out different supplements or meal timing strategies or even installing wearable tech for gathering data on health and performance of the body.
Biohackers may take this a bit too far by trying strategies not supported by scientific evidence, like unregulated supplements and restrictive diets,” warns Mikhail Kogan, MD, medical director of George Washington University’s Center for Integrative Medicine. To safely biohack, Kogan advises taking things slow – for example optimizing sleep or decreasing blue light exposure are examples where changes could have high odds of succeeding; tracking behavior and measuring outcomes would be ideal to start. Otherwise too many changes all at once might overwhelm your system.
Biohacking should supplement, not replace, traditional healthcare. Working with a healthcare professional such as your primary care physician or integrative practitioner to find an optimum balance of healthy habits to improve life and performance can be invaluable.
As part of our effort to help you begin biohacking, we consulted three leading doctors: Bert Mandelbaum, MD – sports medicine specialist and co-director of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics; Kanwar Kelley, MD – physician founder and physician at Side Health Orinda CA; Salim Hayek MD-chair of Internal Medicine University Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX
3. You’re not alone
Documentaries that examine countries with the longest life expectancies to wellness trends that focus on increasing random markers of health demonstrate our collective preoccupation with prolonging our lives. Perhaps no trend more aptly illustrates this obsession than biohacking; popular among tech entrepreneurs and athletes, biohacking involves altering one’s diet, lifestyle and environment intentionally in order to enhance feelings, thoughts and performances for improved performance and wellbeing.
Though biohacking‘s promise of DIY human performance may entice many individuals, its practice has also fostered misinformation and risky experiments that may put your health in jeopardy. While certain techniques – cold plunges and intermittent fasting are supported by scientific research; others such as taking high doses of supplements or implantable devices aren’t.
Biohacking experts advise anyone curious about biohacking to start off slowly and consult their doctor first. While biohacking may be used to enhance your health and wellbeing, Hayek emphasizes the need for moderation when undertaking any biohack. He advises starting off small with low-risk methods like prioritizing sleep or adding in nutrient-dense foods into diet; meditation; or increasing energy through exercises and meditation – once these have become successful then further experimentation of scientific-backed healthy behaviors such as cold exposure, intermittent fasting or sauna sessions may become possible as part of ongoing practice.
No need to feel alone: according to a new study published in PLOS ONE, over 12 communities around the world share health strategies on social media with over 3 million members ranging from well-informed to highly motivated groups of doctors, scientists and health influencers.
Filter out noise and focus on what works for our own bodies in this information-saturated world. Listening to yourself and not being intimidated by failure are both key to being open-minded when trying something new; avoid being overwhelmed by too many changes at once by picking one small shift like improving focus as your personal experiment for several weeks before reflecting back and adjusting as necessary going forward.
4. You’re not crazy
Biohackers often refer to biohacking as finding safe ways to enhance health (biology) and performance (hacks) through research or self-experimentation – leading many people to refer to themselves as “garage biologists” or “DIY biologists.”
Biohackers often seek spiritual enlightenment through their practices, whether or not they call themselves religious. Biohacking involves reaching a peak level of human performance – be it physical endurance or mental concentration.
These individuals are taking greater control of their health and wellness through various techniques like meditation, supplementation, sleep management, exercise and nutrition. This represents an enormous shift in mindset for busy business leaders and athletes who must perform at peak levels under high-pressure situations.
If you are considering biohacking, it’s essential that you start small and implement changes gradually. Research carefully and consult a healthcare professional prior to trying any supplements or medical devices that may cause discomfort. And keep in mind that your body and mind are intricately connected; do not listen if someone tells you you are too sensitive or that reality cannot be perceived accurately because everything they say is just lies; trust yourself – you know better than anyone!
