Biohackers use their skill at tinkering to enhance and modify the natural human body, including by implanting features with cybernetic qualities or implanting magnets into fingers.
Biohackers have made headlines lately by injecting themselves with gene therapy to treat HIV, live streaming the results. This movement shows no signs of slowing down.
What is biohacking?
These “hackers” strive to take control of their health and well-being through various techniques such as implanting chips in their bodies, altering DNA or taking nootropics and cognitive enhancers – whether by implanting chips into themselves, changing DNA or taking nootropics and cognitive enhancers – as they aim to take charge of their health and well-being. BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme has met individuals using technology to alter brainwave patterns for better sleep while inserting sensors in their body or trying to change DNA while adopting extreme diets while others experimented biohacking to slow the aging process and extend life spans further.
Biohackers are generally self-described “tinkerers with an interest in biology”. They believe innovations should be available to everyone rather than limited to small groups of clinical researchers with lengthy approval processes; as a result, biohackers frequently perform experiments on themselves so as to bypass clinical trial regulations.
Aaron Traywick, founder of biohacking company Ascendance Biomedical and pioneer in herpes gene therapy, demonstrated the risks involved with self-experimentation. At an industry conference before being discovered dead in a sensory deprivation tank, he bravely administered himself an experimental vaccine against herpes; apparently intending to bypass FDA testing procedures so as to make medicines available more rapidly to people suffering from herpes, HIV or other diseases.
Biohackers are unregulated, meaning many of the hacks they try are not supported by scientific evidence, making it imperative that anyone considering these techniques conducts their own research and consults a healthcare provider before undertaking them. If an unfamiliar or new hack is being tried out, its risks increase dramatically; potential unintended side-effects should also be carefully considered before giving it a go.
Some biohackers employ the theory of hormesis, which holds that certain chemical or physical stressors can produce beneficial biological results when used appropriately and in moderation; however, when overused they may backfire and do more harm than good. When selecting biohacking techniques to implement, individuals should take their personal goals and health history into consideration, as certain can be harmful or not suitable for certain individuals; for instance pregnant women should avoid fasting or other nutritional approaches as these may pose danger.
Why do people biohack?
Many popular biohacks are founded in scientific evidence: eating well, sleeping enough and exercising regularly are all recommended by scientific research. Yet some biohacks also involve riskier approaches like genital transplantation or genetic editing with CRISPR kits – both potentially life-threatening technologies that must be approached carefully.
Manish Saraf is one of many people to turn to the DIY hacking movement when traditional medicine does not provide relief. At 19-years-old from India, Manish had anticipated joining the Army until his knees started hurting painfully and were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis; unfortunately his symptoms only got worse over time despite receiving strong medications prescribed to him by physicians.
He eventually found comfort in the biohacking community, now widespread across cities worldwide and including high school students and start-up entrepreneurs alike who gather in basements or garages to experiment and learn together. These individuals are motivated by an overwhelming desire to take control of their own lives – whether that means increasing brain power or delaying aging process.
At its best, biohacking offers invaluable insights into how the body functions and can lead to innovations that enhance health for all. At worst, however, biohacking can easily descend into pseudoscientific speculation that does more harm than good.
Aaron Traywick was one of the best-known biohackers to emerge from this scene, yet ultimately succumbed to his reckless quest. In February 2018 at a biohacking conference he stripped naked on stage and administered an experimental herpes treatment that claimed would make him sterile; his stunt attracted attention from FDA warning that such unregulated experiments might put others at risk of infection.
Others, however, are taking an ethical and safer approach to biohacking by making small tweaks to their diet or lifestyle which yield big benefits – like cold water therapy – immersing their bodies for short periods in ice-cold or hot water to boost immunity and decrease inflammation – has helped them feel healthier than ever.
How do people biohack?
Biohackers have taken to using professional-grade lab supplies and the internet to experiment with their health in many ways, from supplements and lifestyle changes to genetic engineering of their bodies. While this movement may sound harmless enough at first, its dangers have proven otherwise; Aaron Traywick of Ascendance Biomedical died after injecting himself with an experimental herpes vaccine which had only been tested on animals; other biohackers use themselves as human guinea pigs to test DIY treatments for HIV, gene therapy to make themselves HIV resistant or build larger muscles than before.
Lorrimar writes that those engaging in self-experiments such as biohacking do so because of an inherent desire to find creative, sustainable alternatives to failing political and social systems. Projects undertaken by biohackers like engineering an artificial pancreas demonstrate this frustration with healthcare systems that take too long to deliver results; other motivations might include religious search for connection to something greater than themselves.
Lorrimar states that biohackers tend to be well-informed individuals who conduct extensive research, who understand the risks involved with taking such risks; to offset them they often seek medical support in form of physicians who will collaborate on supporting their experiments.
People can biohack their bodies in many different ways, from purchasing a hyperbaric oxygen pod or participating in cold plunges to taking nootropic supplements. People who understand how their body works will be able to fine-tune their biohacks accordingly and identify which ones work for them best and avoid those which don’t; furthermore they can monitor results to ensure there are no adverse side effects due to any biohacks they try out.
Biohacking may offer great potential to improve overall health and reverse aging; however, results will depend on each individual and their circumstances, as well as how far they push the envelope of what is considered safe. It can even end up harming themselves during their experiments; biohackers should only implement strategies backed up by scientific research for best results.
What is the future of biohacking?
Biohacking‘s future looks bright, thanks to advancements in technology and an increasing focus on holistic well-being. However, as scientists explore ways to enhance human health using this cutting-edge field, it is crucial not to push too far. Pushing boundaries may have unintended consequences that must not cross an ethical threshold.
As biology, engineering and data science come together, it opens up many new opportunities for improving our bodies and minds. But technological innovation also brings risks, so it is vital that we work together to establish safe biohacking practices.
Places offering affordable lab supplies and websites offering custom DNA have created an expanding community of DIY biohackers. While some biohackers merely tinker around with genetics, others have taken their research further by applying it to real world problems; interesting hacks have included efforts by those living with HIV to reduce viral load through genetic modifying of cells.
Aaron Traywick of Washington DC’s biohacker collective Ascendance Biomedical was found dead after injecting himself with an experimental herpes drug developed for Ascendance Biomedical, in hopes that it would prompt his body into producing antibodies against HIV but ultimately was unsuccessful in doing so. Traywick had made this injection public and encouraged followers to follow suit by filming himself giving himself injections.
Attracting expediency to an underserved patient population is admirable; however, biohackers must apply more rigor in their research and enforce high safety standards from peers in order to become an effective force of change if conducted responsibly and with care.
The convergence of biology and technology will also have major ramifications for business, with companies gravitating toward offering health monitoring and enhancement services or even subscription-based models that give customers ongoing access to genetic insights and biofeedback solutions. It will also radically transform pharmaceutical treatment, making personalised treatments more prevalent than ever.
