Biohacking is a term used to describe techniques and tricks aimed at enhancing the optimal functioning of the body—and potentially extending life. While some biohacking methods may seem extreme, practices like meditation and intermittent fasting are quite common and time-tested, with numerous studies supporting their use. What is novel here is the movement behind the journey toward optimizing overall biological function.
What is Biohacking?
Biohacking involves applying methods drawn from fields like biology, genetics, neurology, and nutrition to enhance physical or mental performance, improve overall health and well-being, or achieve specific health goals (such as weight loss), according to Brea Lofton, a nutrition and diet expert for the health and fitness company Lumen. Sometimes, biohacking is also referred to as do-it-yourself (DIY) biology.
A Brief History of Biohacking
“Biohacking is a global movement based on the idea that you can change both your external and internal environment to take full control of your biology,” says Dave Asprey, author of Smarter, Not Harder: The Biohacker’s Guide to Getting the Body and Mind You Want. For most people, “control” means a desire to be better, not just fine, he shared at the 2023 National Biohacking Conference in Orlando, Florida.
In Asprey’s case, he was severely overweight and suffered from brain fog and chronic fatigue while working in Silicon Valley. His biohacking journey began when he decided to apply the principles of computer hacking to his own biology.
“A hacker investigates something they want to access but do not understand and explores it until they achieve the behavior they desire, then control the system by changing their approach,” he explains.
Asprey frequently talks about how his hacking philosophy led to extensive personal experimentation, including taking dozens of supplements each day and injecting stem cells from his own bone marrow into various joints. He is now healthy and full of energy, and claims his plan is to live to 180 years old.
Asprey and a group of primarily wealthy entrepreneurs, like former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (another well-known biohacker), have largely been responsible for popularizing the term “biohacking” in mainstream culture. However, for those who don’t invest as heavily (or are not financially wealthy) as the initial small group of “biohacker billionaires,” the concept revolves around not letting your health be dictated by luck, chance, or genetics. Instead, biohacking is the art and science of altering your physiology and nervous system to function optimally, intelligently, and efficiently.
Types of Biohacking
Almost any tactic can be considered biohacking if an individual applies it with the goal of improving their biology in some way. Thus, the categories and possibilities of biohacking are vast and can feel overwhelming to many.
However, according to Dr. Kien Vuu, author of Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance, most types of biohacking typically fall into one of the following categories:
Lifestyle
This type of biohacking focuses on making positive health and behavioral choices and adopting lifestyle practices that activate biology related to performance and longevity. According to Dr. Vuu, lifestyle is perhaps the most accessible way for most people to begin experiencing biohacking, including factors like dietary changes, breathwork, meditation, and exercise.
Molecular
Molecular biohacking involves the use of natural and synthetic molecules that can help alter a person’s biology. The use of supplements falls into this category of biohacking.
“Molecular biohacking includes small particles that have some biological effect,” Dr. Vuu explains. “These are your vitamins, minerals, and peptides (small protein fragments).”
Biologics
Biologics are cellular or biological products designed to improve or enhance biological activity. “Biologics work as a type of human cellular material,” Dr. Vuu explains. “They can be cells, or they can be small packets of information like exosomes, which are essentially biological packets containing DNA, mRNA proteins, and growth factors.”
Biologics often need to be ingested, injected (like stem cells), or infused intravenously (such as IV drips). Some biologics require a prescription from a healthcare provider, like FDA-approved medications, while others do not, such as non-prescription IV therapies offered at independent facilities nationwide.
Technology
Biohacking measures in this group include devices like smartwatches and diagnostic tools (such as glucose monitors). In this case, biohacking uses technology to collect data about the body and its functioning, helping individuals adjust their health to perform better.
Technological biohacking also includes the use of advanced machines like hyperbaric oxygen chambers or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy machines that promote physiological changes or faster healing.
Is Biohacking Safe?
Biohacking faces some negative perceptions because it is sometimes practiced “ahead of the science,” meaning people experiment with hacks on themselves before they’ve been proven effective in a controlled clinical trial. In fact, a 2020 article in Science magazine raised concerns about the lack of scientific oversight in many genetic biohacking methods and DIY science techniques now emerging in the consumer market.
However, when approached cautiously and implemented gradually, biohacking can be safe for most people. “It’s important to approach biohacking carefully, relying on evidence-based information and consulting healthcare professionals when necessary,” says Lofton.
Current Examples of Biohacking
Here are some popular areas where people commonly look to apply biohacking, along with some trendy examples of how to approach each:
Biohacking Aging
Many people become interested in biohacking as they age. According to Asprey, one of the leading groups of biohackers includes people aged 35 to 50, as this is the stage when they begin noticing signs of aging.
Cellular aging is one of the key concepts in age-related biohacking. When cells in the body are damaged due to injury, stress, or disease, they are cleared away through a natural process called apoptosis. However, as the body ages, it becomes less efficient at removing these senescent cells. Their accumulation can lead to inflammation and damage to surrounding cells, accelerating aging and increasing disease risk.
As a result, many involved in age-related biohacking focus on cellular health and regeneration. They believe that if they can stop or even reverse the production of senescent cells, the cosmetic and physical changes caused by aging may also be prevented.
Some examples of age-related biohacking include:
- Red light therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Use of at-home non-invasive lasers (like NIRA)
- Use of anti-aging and mitochondrial-supporting supplements like coenzyme Q10, polyphenols, L-carnitine, and Urolithin A
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