Biohacks can range from basic lifestyle adjustments to more experimental interventions like genetic modification and microdosing. A structured, supervised wellness program, such as one offered by Rising Lotus, can safely incorporate these techniques into a holistic health plan.
Some biohacks are relatively safe and recommended by experts, like optimizing sleep and nutrition or trying intermittent fasting. Others, such as incorporating a cold shower into your routine or experimenting with nootropics, may require more caution.
DIY Biology
In general, biohacking involves making small changes to one’s lifestyle in order to promote wellness. For example, it could involve using dietary supplements that are believed to boost brainpower or athletic ability. It may also involve experimenting with different hormone levels in the body, which can impact the way your genes behave. While these changes are usually considered low-risk, it is important to consult a medical professional before trying them out.
Biohackers often describe their activities as being part of a scientific community. This is an indication that they recognize that the social and cultural dimensions of scientific inquiry are inextricably linked to knowledge production. They also take a self-aware approach to the ways that their own backgrounds and interests shape their research agendas. Moreover, their emphasis on community-led learning and collaboration indicates a desire to move beyond the authority and exclusivity of traditional models of scientific expertise.
DIY biology embodies three socio-technical imaginaries (Jasanoff and Kim 2015). The first imagines democratizing the science enterprise. This translates into a call for accessibility of research infrastructures, challenges to expert-publics divisions and a focus on problem-oriented science that addresses societal issues. It contrasts with traditional academic science that prioritizes theoretical outcomes and aims to generate innovations for commercialization.
The second imagines a space for speedy invention in the community laboratory. This relates to the community laboratory’s ethos of autonomy, flexibility and agency in contrast with what they perceive as an excessively rigid, process-driven and centralized institutional context. It is hoped that the DIY biology community will create tools and spaces where researchers can define their goals, play, learn, experiment, observe, direct and redirect their foci.
Finally, the third imagines a biohacking utopia in which technology and entrepreneurship can help solve the world’s biggest problems. This reflects an agnosticism about whether technological and scientific progress alone will be sufficient to tackle grand-scale issues, such as climate change, antibiotic resistance and cancer.
The biohacking movement has strong entanglements with the hacker culture. Its physical spaces and tools, such as hackerspaces and community labs, mirror the technologies and aesthetic of the hacker ethos, which emphasizes openness and decentralization. Furthermore, biohackers have adopted a “make do” attitude and are often inventive, repurposing their equipment to suit their needs. They use a variety of techniques and tools, including DNA sequencing, microscopy and PCR.
Embedded Biohacking
Embedded biohacks are practices that integrate with and augment your body’s natural systems to improve performance. They may include using a glucose monitor to keep track of your blood sugar, or tracking sleep patterns with a smartphone app. They can also involve experimenting with different diets, exercise trends and supplements to see how they impact your mood, energy level or sleep quality. These hacks can be simple and evidence-based or more experimental and potentially dangerous.
For example, many people use biohacking to experiment with different caffeine amounts and times to see how much it affects their focus and attention. Other examples of embedded biohacking could include trying different sleep schedules, using a heating pad or cold water therapy to soothe aches and pains.
The microbiome, a collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic organisms that live inside the human body, is a major focus for those interested in optimizing their health. Increasing the diversity of your microbiome can boost immune function, reduce inflammation and gastrointestinal issues, and even increase cognitive ability.
Another common practice among biohackers is taking a variety of supplements, including nootropics and smart drugs to enhance brain function. Some biohackers also use practices like neurofeedback and meditation to elevate day-to-day cognitive function, protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s, and strengthen their mental acuity.
Other popular biohacks include tracking food and exercise with apps, using cold or heat therapy for health benefits, and experimenting with different workout routines to optimize fitness results. For instance, some biohackers try to maximize their weight loss by incorporating science-backed strategies like the Mediterranean or DASH diets, intermittent fasting and high-intensity interval training.
Lastly, some biohackers use supplements and herbs to enhance their overall health. For example, some use beta glucan to support the immune system and reduce stress levels. Others take nootropics, which are designed to promote mental clarity and concentration. Still others rely on meditation to calm the mind and lower stress levels, all of which can contribute to a healthier and happier life. In addition, strong social ties are known to improve mental wellbeing, and so biohackers may seek to build community by organizing potlucks or playing games with friends.
DIY Drug Development
The do-it-yourself movement has expanded to include biology, and a branch of that movement called DIY biohacking involves modifying your own body to improve physical or cognitive performance. These experiments can range from simple lifestyle changes to using wearable technology or experimental procedures. This type of hacking can help people get more out of their bodies and lives, but it also poses health risks.
For example, some supplements may be unregulated and marketed with false or inflated claims. They may also interact negatively with some medications, and many of these substances have not been scientifically studied or proven safe or effective. If you want to use a biohacking technique, look for information from websites run by professional medical organizations or academic institutions. This can help you separate useful tips from experimental methods that have not been validated by the scientific community.
Technology plays a growing role in biohacking, with devices such as fitness trackers and smart watches that collect data about your sleep patterns or daily activity. These tools can help you optimize your diet, exercise habits or even your mood. Some biohackers use software programs to analyze the data and find ways to make further improvements to their lives.
Biohackers may also use technology to experiment with their own genetics. They can modify yeast, bacteria or plants to study their own genetics, or they might work with a lab technician to learn how to perform a laboratory technique such as column chromatography. This sort of biohacking can be dangerous, as it requires working with chemicals and other hazardous materials. It can also be challenging to know whether the results are accurate and meaningful.
Another form of biohacking involves using a collection of drugs to enhance your cognitive abilities. Known as nootropics, these substances are designed to boost focus and concentration, or to increase memory. Smart drug protocols often involve stacking or pairing nootropics, to produce synergistic effects that amplify the benefits of each. Despite their potential for improved cognition, nootropics are not without side effects, so biohackers should be careful to choose the right dosage and stacking techniques.