Chances are you‘ve heard about "biohacking" but aren‘t quite sure what it really means. Is it safe? Legal? Just a fad for tech bros looking to play scientist? This guide will break it all down for you.
I‘ve explored the biohacking world extensively, from interviewing leaders in the field to trying techniques myself. I‘ll share what I‘ve learned – no hype, just facts and realistic advice so you can evaluate if biohacking is something that could benefit your life.
Let‘s Start With The Basics: What Is Biohacking?
Biohacking is about experimenting with different techniques to take control and "hack" your biological functioning to optimize health, wellbeing and performance.
The underlying idea is that we can use data, targeted interventions and new technologies to fine tune our bodies better than outdated healthcare systems designed to just treat sick people.
It‘s an extremely broad concept, encompassing simple lifestyle tweaks right up to hi-tech implants and genetic manipulations. Below is a quick overview of the landscape today:
As you can see, practices fall along a spectrum from completely natural wellness approaches to permanent surgical alterations. All share the same DIY ethos though – using one‘s own body as a platform for optimization through scientific self-experimentation.
Now let‘s dig deeper into each area.
Natural Biohacks – The OG Upgrades
Humans have actually "hacked" their biology for all of history through natural substances, remedies and practices believed to prevent disease, extend lifespan or access altered states. Think:
- Indigenous shaman using medicinal plants
- Asian tonic herbs promising longevity
- Ancient Greek oracles fasting to "hear the gods more clearly"
Today‘s natural biohackers use updated scientific understandings of physiology to more precisely trigger beneficial biological responses.
Methods include:
Intermittent Fasting
- Skipping meals for 12-36 hours triggers stem cell regeneration, cell autophagy to clear waste, growth hormone release, gene expression changes and lowered insulin levels which prompt fat burning. My fitness tracker shows lower resting heart rate and body fat % since I‘ve adopted 16:8 hourly fasts.
Cold Thermogenesis
- Exposing your body to frigid temperatures prompts fat browning to generate heat, releases anti-inflammatory metabolites, and triggers euphoric endorphins. I finish my showers with 30 secs of pure cold – invigorating!
DNA-Tailored Diets
- Getting your genetics sequenced, then using services like Viome or ZOE to match foods and supplements to your biology. One friend said digestive issues she struggled with for years disappeared after trying this. I‘m intrigued but haven‘t taken the plunge.
These techniques leverage our innate survival mechanisms. While results vary based on the individual, evidence suggests benefits like sustained energy, mental clarity, disease prevention and slowing cellular aging.
Crucially, they are free or low cost, and generally safe. But approach with caution as even natural methods can be taken to extremes.
Technology Biohacks – Data Driven Optimization
Where biohacking gets more controversial is applying engineering principles to biological systems. This means using sensors, wearables, supplements or lab tests to deeply analyze and tune your physiology.
Tools range from consumer fitness rings to implantable chips to lab grown organs. What they share is granting people unprecedented precision control over their bodies.
I strongly believe that access to granular biological data tools empowers people to make targeted interventions to prevent illness and achieve peak function.
However, there are certainly risks of overoptimization. Becoming obsessed with technical control of natural systems can backfire. Our bodies and minds need balance, not just maximum performance at all costs.
Augmented Biohacking – Redesigning Humans
This branch takes a transhumanist view – using technology not just to analyze our current biology, but permanently augment it beyond natural constraints. This includes:
Chip Implants
- NFC/RFID chips inserted under the skin to unlock devices/doors, store data or make payments. Dangerous if devices migrate internally. I‘ll stick to wearing a smartwatch!
Gene Editing
- Cheap CRISPR kits allowing biohackers to directly edit DNA sequences to prevent disease mutations or enhance physical traits. Worrying history of people trying this already despite the tech not being ready for safe use.
Young Blood Transfusions
- Getting plasma from young donors to rejuvenate aged tissue. While anti-aging potential is heavily touted, the FDA has warned of no evidence it helps conditions like Alzheimer‘s as claimed. Also very pricey – $8K a pop!
Augmentation biohacking raises fascinating possibilities, but remains highly experimental. Despite bold claims from some biohackers, current science doesn‘t support most as wise investments for your time and money.
Should You Biohack?
I hoped this overview has helped explain the reality behind biohacking – which spans simple wellness tools through to extreme augmentation.
Here are key considerations if you‘re intrigued to try it yourself:
Upsides
- Preventative, proactive model focused on optimizing wellness rather than just treating illness
- Empowering to have granular data on your biology to shape lifestyle interventions
- Can drive adoption of healthier behaviors and habits
- Natural methods have good safety profile when practiced moderately
- Cool factor of being an early adopter of innovative techniques 😎
Risks
- Unbalanced obsession with optimization at the expense of sustainability
- Permanent bodily augmentation remains highly experimental
- Little regulation means predatory products pushing fraudulent claims
- Can become all encompassing identity rather than just a toolkit
My Advice?
Start with small sustainable changes backed by science. Things like intermittent fasting, nutrition adjustments, using wearables to establish baselines.
Consult your physician before making major lasting changes. And remember that the most high performing systems prioritize equilibrium, efficiency and resilience – not just maximizing one variable.
I‘m excited to see how tools for understanding and upgrading our biology evolve in responsible ways. It‘s early days, but a future leveraging the best of both technology and nature feels full of possibility to me.
Hope this primer has gotten you thinking! Would love to hear your perspectives in the comments.
Credit featured image: ©Shyntartanya/Shutterstock.com
FAQs
How expensive is biohacking?
It runs the gamut. Intermittent fasting, cold showers, and tracking sleep data cost nothing. DNA tests, health biomarkers, and wearables can range from $100 to $400 in initial outlays. More extreme procedures like young blood plasma transfusions cost $8,000-12,000 – but remain scientifically questionable.
What should health-conscious people focus on first?
The most impact per effort is likely dialing in sleep, nutrition, stress and movement using simple wearables for tracking. From there, occasional fasting, cold therapy and microbiome tests can help you take things further. Patience and incremental experimentation tends to win over radical bodily overhauls in my experience.
Can biohacks be mentally unhealthy?
Yes, absolutely. Obsession over achieving theoretical limits of human performance can lead to body dysmorphia, anxiety over tracked metrics, and burnout chasing unsustainable goals. It‘s crucial to know when to take a break and approach this entire movement with perspective – it‘s a toolkit meant to augment life, not consume it.
Why doesn‘t the medical establishment embrace biohacks more?
It‘s shifting, slowly. Influential organizations like the American Medical Association have put out guides to help doctors responsibly discuss biohacking with patients. But many procedures promoted by biohackers are not scientifically validated or regulated for safety like pharmaceuticals. More research funding and open mindedness to alternative techniques can lead to positive symbiosis.
