The Future of Biohacking
No longer a fringe movement, the next chapter in human optimization is for everyone. Plus, my take on the biohacks worth exploring.
The first time I heard the word “biohacking,” I was on a mountain in Utah at Outside, the inaugural Summit Series event in 2013. The speaker was Dave Asprey, a Silicon Valley executive, who famously lost 100 pounds without counting calories or excessive exercise. At that time, his diet of buttered coffee and the trend of consuming ultra-processed meal replacement drinks were all the rage among ambitious tech bros looking for peak performance and ways to circumvent nature.
Today’s Quantified Self movement, which refers to self-tracking with technology and self-knowledge through numbers, has an even more eccentric poster boy, Bryan Johnson, who reportedly spends close to $2M a year measuring 70+ organs in his body. Under the supervision of 30 doctors, he adheres to an insanely restrictive and somewhat solitary lifestyle (with a scheduled sleep time of 8:30pm) to reach his goal of reversing his biological age to 18 (from 46).
But, what is the point of pursuing eternal life if you strip all of the joy and pleasure out of it? You might have the health (and the erections) of an 18 year old, but you are still sleeping alone.
Biohacking: (verb, noun)
(v): To change the environment outside of you and inside of you so you have full control of your biology, to allow you to upgrade your body, mind, and your life.
(n) The art and science of becoming superhuman
With a global market value projected to reach US $242 billion by 2033, it’s clear that biohacking, in some form or another, is here to stay. Thankfully, it’s going through a rebrand.
With growing numbers of women finally infiltrating the biohacking boys club, I've happily watched this movement evolve and expand to include goals beyond just driving human performance. Sure, it can still be an upgrade but it can also be used to bring the body back to a state of homeostasis.
Read: The Spark Factor by Molly Maloof, MD (the first guide to biohacking for women)
A recent conversation with Koehl Robinson of CELIA, a brand of regenerative wellness products including mushroom and kanna formulations, led me to the concept of “biotuning” — defined as the use of protocols to drastically improve our lives by balancing the body's chemistry. The idea of a “tune” resonated with me so much more than a “hack.”
My personal philosophy and now my approach as a health coach, is to find ways to support and optimize what the body does naturally. Instead of overriding our systems with pharmaceuticals or disruptive protocols, I prefer to use modalities that encourage our cells to do what they already know how to do but, nudge them to the level of performance that gives us the best outcomes.
In other words, can we find interventions that combat the challenges that come with aging to allow us to return (somewhat) to our former glory? While we cannot prevent aging, I do believe we can choose how quickly we age and continually strive to maintain a more resilient, efficient and vibrant younger self.
“Women are the original biohackers. [We] have the most complex physiological life cycle that requires us to track and manage fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexuality, and menopause. So we should be looking at biohacking as a path to even greater health,”
— Molly Maloof, MD (in MindBodyGreen Health)
Biohacking is a way to bypass what nature intended
Nothing about our modern lifestyle aligns with human biology so I believe that some major adjustments need to be made if we intend to thrive.
Three reasons why I biohack:
To adapt to modern life. Our evolutionary biology is not optimized for how we live today. We need to cope with new environmental stressors, sedentary lifestyle and dietary changes that differ from what our ancestors experienced.
To play the long game. The average life expectancy is 76.9 years for men and 81.6 years for women so we need to find ways to slow the aging of our organs and systems to prevent chronic disease.
To push the limits of human potential. Advanced technology, supplements and procedures can enhance physical or cognitive capabilities or least help us maintain them as we age.
While I haven’t tried (nor will I try) all of the outrageous products and services that the biohacking industry offers, there are a few devices and therapies I can stand behind. *new experimental treatments and procedures will be explored in another substack
Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM):
Provides real-time data on blood glucose levels, empowering users to make informed dietary and lifestyle choices to optimize metabolic health and prevent chronic illness such as PCOS, Alzheimer’s and Diabetes (my journey here)
Sleep Tracker Wearable/App:
Offers valuable insights into sleep patterns, duration, and quality, enabling users to optimize their sleep hygiene, identify potential sleep disturbances, and change behavior accordingly. (my experience here)
Period Tracker App:
Allows users to monitor menstrual cycles, predict fertility windows, and gain insights into hormonal patterns (which are integral for family planning as well as managing perimenopause).
Sauna:
Regular weekly use of heat (160-200F) has demonstrated several health benefits from improving circulation, reducing cardiovascular events, triggering endorphins to reduce stress, expediting muscle recovery and boosting immune function.
Peptide Therapy:
Injections, nasal sprays, topicals or supplements containing these various short chain amino acids act as signaling agents to tell cells to do what they already know how to do but at a faster rate, including regenerate tissue, promote recovery, increase muscle gains, lower inflammation, and even grow hair. (my experience here)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):
Special chambers deliver increased oxygen levels (to 100% or higher) under pressure which promotes tissue healing and reduces inflammation. It exponentially speeds up recovery time of everything from surgery to a chemical peel and can effectively reduce symptoms of long Covid, mold poisoning and Crohn’s.
IV Therapy:
IVs deliver a customized blend of vitamins, minerals, and fluids directly into the bloodstream, offering a rapid and efficient way to address nutrient deficiencies, boost energy levels, and support overall well-being. Better for short term benefits or acute issues than ongoing supplementation.
Red Light Therapy:
Can enhance cellular function, stimulate collagen production, and mitigate inflammation, promoting skin health, wound healing, and potentially providing relief for certain musculoskeletal conditions.
6 Free Biohacks You Can Start TODAY
You absolutely do not need to spend a fortune on supplements, technology or devices to start biohacking. For beginners, here are some easy ways to support your physical and mental health on a daily or weekly basis:
Morning Light in Eyes
Exposure to natural morning light, especially within the first hour of waking, helps regulate circadian rhythms, improves mood, and enhances overall sleep-wake cycles.
Cold Exposure
Incorporating cold exposure, such as cold showers or ice baths, activates the body's thermogenic response, boosting metabolism, improving circulation, and potentially supporting immune function.
Meditation/Breathwork
Engaging in daily meditation or breathwork improves HRV and lowers heart rate which promotes stress reduction, enhances focus, and supports mental well-being.
Fasting
Implementing intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, can lower blood sugar, support weight management, and boost cellular repair.
HIIT Exercise
Known for quick results, it has been shown to increase human growth hormone (HGH) to improve muscle mass, expedite fat loss and boost brain functions like reaction time and memory.
Sex
Physical touch including massage, sex and especially orgasm triggers the release of oxytocin and other feel good hormones that contribute to stress reduction, improved mood, increased intimacy, and potential benefits to cardiovascular health.
The take-away: Biohacking might have gained notoriety as an unconventional way to circumvent nature to maximize individual output, but the new mindset uses our advances in technology, access to information and understanding of our biology to adapt to modern life in order to thrive. We are now active participants in our personalized health journeys.
All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
For more information on how to add biohacking to your wellness routine or specific product recommendations, reach out for a 1:1 health optimization session or inquire about upcoming educational masterclasses HERE
I love the idea of biotuning! ‘Hacking’ has never felt like the right concept to me for my body. This is a fabulous reframe.