At today’s podcast episode, we discussed productivity, daily rhythms and personality tests. Marek Fischer from FitMaker proved himself as an unconventional businessman.
Karol Wyszomirski is an interdisciplinary dietician, trainer and biohacker who practices his trade in health and fitness businesses across America, Canada and England. Biohacking is an emerging technology which helps individuals tap into their optimal physical and intellectual capabilities.
What is biohacking?
Biohacking can be defined simply as exploring new methods to enhance your health, whether that be weight loss, feeling more energetic, improved focus and sleep, reduced pain or inflammation or immunity enhancement. Biohacking can also be seen as an opportunity to prioritise your wellbeing by testing new hacks or tools aimed at maximising wellbeing – implanting electronics or getting IV therapy could all fall under this category.
Biohacking has long been around, yet its popularity is only growing thanks to emerging science on longevity and innovative gadgets that allow individuals to track their own wellness. Biohacking encompasses anything from cold plunges and heat therapy sessions, taking nootropics and supplements as prescribed, using light therapy for your circadian rhythm, sleeping on a vibration bed to boost blood flow and circulation, or even trying different dietary practices such as intermittent fasting.
Some individuals are going further by engaging in self-experiments with genetic engineering or CRISPR gene editing, with some even engaging in human augmentation via implants, chips, chemicals or injections to alter how their bodies operate. Biohacking should never be undertaken without prior consultation from your healthcare provider – always seek medical advice first before trying anything new!
Rohan Anand does not work for, consult with, own shares in or receive funding from any organization that would stand to benefit from his article, nor has disclosed any relevant affiliations other than Queen’s University Belfast where he holds an academic appointment.
No matter your level of biohacking knowledge or interest, biohacking can be daunting and sometimes seem confusing. By knowing which indicators to watch out for it’s easier to sort the hype from facts and identify which hacks actually worth your while – the tips below will help you locate suitable biohacks.
How does biohacking work?
Biohacking is a movement grounded in systems thinking and engineering that encourages individuals to identify the causes of their health conditions and address them directly, unlike traditional healthcare which typically treats symptoms after they manifest. By emphasizing prevention rather than treatment, biohackers are able to reduce the risk of chronic disease development.
Biohacking involves exploring various strategies to enhance one’s body and mind through diet, exercise, mental training or any combination thereof. It typically begins by setting specific goals – such as increasing energy or focus – before individuals experiment with various techniques ranging from changing diet, taking supplements and tracking progress using technology; some even turn to ice baths or intermittent fasting in order to promote autophagy – the body’s own system for cleaning cells of waste material.
Biohacking is an alternative approach to health that relies on the concept of hormesis, which holds that certain chemicals or physical stressors may produce beneficial results if introduced gradually in small doses. It is important to remember, however, that not all biohacks are scientifically-backed or safe; some may even prove counterproductive or even harmful; in addition, biohacking should never replace professional medical advice or care.
Biohacking enthusiasts typically practice biohacking for the purpose of human enhancement, or body augmentation. This can involve trying various drugs or practices such as meditation, sleep hygiene or exercise in order to feel healthier and happier with yourself and achieve peak performance. Sometimes biohackers seek spiritual development or peak performance as additional motivations.
Biohacking‘s popularity lies in its potential to offer an affordable alternative to costly prescription medicines, particularly for chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis and some forms of cancer, which currently have no known cure and can be extremely debilitating.
As biohacking gains ground, it is crucial to recognize its limits. Avoid following unsupported health trends from the internet and utilize only biohacking methods backed by science or that have potential for positive outcomes. Also keep realistic expectations in check as genetics, environment and chance all play key roles in longevity – thus tempering unrealistic expectations with healthy doses of reality.
What are the best biohacks?
While many may associate biohacking with bulked-up gym bros who add butter to their coffee, biohacking doesn’t just involve building muscle mass and increasing sleep time. Biohacking involves making small changes that will improve how you feel overall – from monitoring menstrual cycles for optimized athletic performance, to tweaking diet, targeted supplements or genetic testing to gain additional data – there’s plenty you can do to get more out of life!
Starting is simple if you take an inventory of what you do in everyday life and identify any areas where they could be improved by employing some hacks. For instance, if focusing at work is often an issue for you, try practicing meditation or breathing exercises for five minutes every day in an attempt to boost productivity; or if stress management is an issue for you try exercising or decreasing caffeine consumption to better your mental wellbeing.
Other easy hacks for better mental health may include taking omega 3 fish oil supplements to enhance brain function, eating foods rich in vitamin D to support an active immune system or using blue light blocking at night for better quality restful sleep. Furthermore, an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset can monitor brainwave activity and teach mediation for improved mental wellbeing.
Though biohacks may appear outlandish at first glance, evidence supports their effectiveness and many athletes and elite performers use some biohacks already to enhance their performance – for instance using trackers like Apple Watches and Fitbits for sleep tracking while wearable EEG headsets help athletes train their minds for peak performance.
No matter your goal – stress reduction, mental performance enhancement or simply sleeping better – biohacks should always fit within your individual goals and lifestyle. By arming yourself with knowledge and tools that suit you best you should easily be able to find biohacks tailored specifically to you and your goals – just remember to exercise caution, conduct proper research and find support networks of like-minded individuals for extra peace of mind!
Why should I biohack?
Are You Wondering Why People Practice Biohacking? Typically it comes down to improving mental and physical performance. Members of this DIY community see biology as an engineering puzzle they can solve using creative thought. Many take an anti-establishment attitude toward medicine because Big Pharma has failed them; others may have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses but want to take control of their health through self-experimentation.
Not unlike biohacking enthusiasts in general, biohackers experiment with treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy or ingestion of peptides in order to make their bodies and minds work more effectively – all in an attempt to live longer while feeling energised and relaxed. Some biohackers even utilize elective psychopharmacology like Adderall abuse in order to increase concentration and focus, or blood transfusions in order to decrease inflammation.
Note that many biohacking techniques used by biohackers aren’t scientifically validated and should only be undertaken after doing their research on potential risks and benefits. Before embarking on any experimentation techniques, biohackers should also seek medical advice before engaging in anything too extreme.
Good news is that most health hacks are safe and cost-effective alternatives to more extreme trends like inhaling vaporized water or taking collagen shots. But it’s important to keep in mind that social media trends – particularly those made popular through virality – may lack research, data or human studies supporting their efficacy, so before making changes to your diet, exercise regimen or lifestyle it is wise to conduct your own investigation or consult a specialist before making decisions about alterations or alterations of any sort.
Many of us may already be unaware that we’re using biohacking techniques without even realising it. Intermittent fasting, improved sleeping patterns, energising supplements and exercising in morning sunlight are just a few ways we can biohack ourselves for increased health and longevity. With advances in nutrigenomics now making fine-tuning food intake possible by targeting specific genes responsible for certain diseases or diet responses.
