What Is Biohacking & Can It Help You Live Longer?

Biohacking is a trend in which people make lifestyle improvements to enhance their health, whether to lose weight, boost mental or physical performance, or extend their lifespan. It involves a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach that can range from making small changes to one’s diet to using tools like smartwatches to optimize physical health.

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How Does Biohacking Work?

“Biohacking” is a broad term that has different meanings to different people. As such, there are variations in ways to practice it.

The goal of biohacking is to improve health, life expectancy, and/or appearance. This is done through a DIY practice of making small changes to diet, exercise, sleep, and other behaviors or lifestyle factors. It may also be used to improve anxiety, focus, and memory.

Not all biohacking methods are backed by scientific research. However, making simple lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet or exercise routine, has been shown to positively impact health.

Types of Biohacking

There are different types of biohacking, including:

• DIY biology: DIY biology, also called garage biology, is a type of biohacking in which individuals engage in biological experimentation outside traditional industry and academic research settings. The movement advocates for open access to scientific tools and information.
• Nutrigenomics: Nutrigenomics is a type of biohacking that focuses on how food affects genes and, in turn, how genes affect our response to food. In practice, someone could use nutrigenomics to avoid foods that may increase the risk of developing health conditions like type 2 diabetes. It can also be used to eat specific foods to prevent or treat health conditions.
• Grinder biohacking: “Grinders” are people who use biohacking as a way to augment or enhance the human body, sometimes in extreme ways, with technology. This can range from invasive methods, such as having microchips implanted under the skin, to less invasive methods, such as wearable technology like smartwatches.

Examples of Biohacking and Their Benefits

There are numerous examples of biohacking, including:

• Intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern alternating between eating and fasting on a timed schedule. For example, someone may choose to fast for 16 hours and only eat over the course of eight hours. This method will cause the body to use up its sugar stores and instead burn fat for energy.
• Smartwatches: Wearable technology like smartwatches can track data like movement, heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (indicates oxygen level in the body), and heart rhythm. Constant monitoring can identify problems that may otherwise go undetected.
• Cold plunging: Submerging the body in cold water may have immune and cardiovascular benefits, but more research is needed. Cold plunging also comes with serious risks of hypothermia (low body temperature), drowning, and decreased circulation.
• Supplements: Many supplements are marketed to improve all sorts of body functions, from athletic performance to immune support. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements in the same way it regulates prescription drugs, which makes it difficult to know which ones are effective and safe.

Does Biohacking Really Help You Live Longer?

Biohacking is a generalized practice that has not been well researched. As such, experts do not know if it will help people live longer.

However, the tenets of some biohacking practices could be beneficial. Eating healthy foods can help reduce the risk of certain diseases. Additionally, practicing intermittent fasting has benefits for metabolic health. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before participating in biohacking. They will be able to guide you to science-based practices.

Risks and Considerations

Organizations like the Institutional Review Board (IRB) monitor and review biomedical research to ensure the work is done ethically and in compliance with regulations. However, biohacking does not follow these or similar procedures, so there can be a risk of dangerous or unsafe practices.

Some forms of biohacking, like wearable technology, can be safe when used with caution. However, the data it collects may not be accurate. While wearable technology can provide some helpful insights, changes to your health practices should not be based solely on information retrieved from a smartwatch.

Supplements may also be a safe form of biohacking if used properly, but dosages and types should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

• Biohacking involves DIY lifestyle changes and enhancements to improve health, performance, or longevity through diet, exercise, sleep, and high-tech tools like smartwatches.
• While some biohacking practices, such as intermittent fasting or dietary improvements, may offer health benefits and support longevity, many others lack robust research and should be approached cautiously.