Biohacking and Longevity: The quest for a longer and healthier Life
Biohacking is the art and science of modifying the external and internal environments to harness and optimize your biology. Biohacking is basically health optimization. The main aim of biohacking is to increase longevity and reverse ageing process. We should understand that “ Absence of disease doesn’t indicate optimal health”. Biohacking includes a wide range of changes which may range from advanced technologies which include gene editing to changes in diet and lifestyle.
Biohacking involves the usage of technology, biology, self testing to enhance the performance. It relies on scientific information, alternative treatments and sometimes home methods.
Biohacking can mainly be classified in two types:
- Simple biohacking : may include tracking sleep or trying intermittent fasting
- Complex biohacking: may include advanced devices that track health indicators or even genetic modifications
A number of subareas have been discovered under biohacking, such as,
- Nutritional biohacking
- Mind and cognitive biohacking
- Do-it yourself biology
- Fitness and performance biohacking
Nutritional biohacking deals with improving the health by altering food and supplement consumption, mind & cognitive biohacking deals with various methods for enhancing the concentration and mental clarity, do-it yourself biology deals with implants or genetic modifications while fitness &performance biohacking deals with improving the physical performance using data driven methods.
Out of many techniques used in biohacking, some of the well liked techniques include:
- Sleep tracking: Variety of technologies and methods are used to optimize the sleep cycle, such as, blue-light blockers etc.
- Wearable technology: Technology which has equipments for tracking activity, sleeping habits, etc.
- Nutritional adjustments: This includes methods such as ketogenic diets, fasting, supplements for improving metabolism and cognitive function.
- Exercise regimes: Tailored fitness plans according to ones genetic composition.
Biohacking proves to be beneficial for combating ageing in context of longevity. The ultimate objective of the biohackers is to prolong the life while maintaining sufficient energy level, mental clarity and physical well being.
Few tactics used by biohackers to improve longevity have been explained below:
- Medical and genetic interventions
- Nootropics and supplements
- Exercise and recovery
- Optimising sleep
- Fasting and dieting
In order to increase longevity, biohackers examine medical interventions or genetic alterations. With some technologies, biohackers have succeeded in modifying genes that cause ageing. Biohackers also use blood tests to determine genetic predispositions to customize the lifestyle.
Biohackers use supplements ranging from minerals, vitamins to drugs like nootropics, resveratrol to experiment for improving the longevity.
Physical fitness is a key component for longevity. Biohackers monitor every aspect of their workouts and body metrics. They frequently use high rate variability tracking, other data driven strategies to maximise their exercise and recovery durations. Biohackers include strength training, high interval intense training , mobility exercises to improve the workout quality. They also emphasise in recovery methods such as cold therapy or saunas.
Longevity depends on getting enough sleep which helps body in healing itself and preserve best possible brain function. Adequate sleeps helps in lowering the risk of chronic diseases, early ageing.
Dietary patterns are examined by biohackers to maximize health. For slowing down the ageing process, strategies like intermittent fasting, which alternates between times of eating and fasting, or the ketogenic diet, which promotes the body to burn fat for energy are used.
Just like a coin has two sides, Biohacking also has a few ethical issues along with the enormous potential to increase longevity and improve health. The ethical issue that can come up are regarding regulation and safety, in this, few methods used by biohackers are not fully researched for long term safety, etc.
Biohacking will probably change science and technology to increase longevity. Biohacking helps people to take charge of their own health, be it using fitness applications or using therapies.
Biohacking is a promising new avenue in quest for a longer and healthier life. The ability to use personal data, lifestyle modifications, and technological advancements to potentially increase health span is a promising endeavour that could completely revolutionise the way we think about ageing in the twenty-first century, even if it is imperative that this topic be approached cautiously.
Author
Prof. Anjali Garg
Director CDOE
The NorthCap University, Gurgaon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anjali-garg
Research Interests: Solar power, Wind power, Electric Vehicles, Smart Grid