Biohacking is, in a way, lifehackings bizarro-world twin.
(Bio means life, after all.)
Lifehacking is just part of, you know, life; biohacking has its gurus and buzzwords.
But whatisbiohacking when you get down to it?
The answer will depend on who you ask.
What even is a biohack?
In the broadest sense, biohacking is any practice that changes the structure or function of the body.
(Much more out-there stuff was discussed, but these provided common ground everyone could agree on.)
When you look at it that way, almost anything can be a biohack.
Biohackers: Theyre just like us!
So how do the trendy kind of biohacks stack up against more boring, established alternative practices?
Can biohacking increase your longevity?
You cant biohack your way into being born in 1920s Costa Rica.
In short, its impossible to thoroughly study human longevity in timeframes that are less than a human lifespan.
And they mostly amount to confirmation bias: Whatever makes you healthier should help you live longer, right?
Can you really biohack your diet?
It was an interesting hypothesis, but research has repeatedly failed to find any such effect.
(Takethis recent study, for example.)
Intermittent fasting is in a similar place.
Its definitely one of many effective strategies one can use when dieting.
But is the practice worthwhile?
If you enjoy it, sure.
Its important to consider who has already asked this question without calling it biohacking?
Can biohacking increase your focus?
Biohackers love to talk about their mental state.
Does this or that supplement help you focus?
How can you be best primed to pay attention and learn things more quickly and understand them more deeply?
In a sense, self-experimentation on a subjective mental benefit is easy.
Do the thing, and see if you feel more focused.
But on the other hand, subjective mental outcomes are the most susceptible to the placebo effect.
But I think its important to consider who has already asked this question, without calling it biohacking?
In this case: students.
How do you study more effectively?
Well, caffeine can definitely help.
Creating an environment where you wont be distracted or disturbed can also be helpful.
Focus biohacks blur pretty seamlessly into study tips.
Can biohacking improve your sleep?
Sleep is important, and we all need to get enough of it.
If you dont get adequate sleep, youll be tiredmaking sleepalsoa biohack for focus.
A sleep tracker just gives you a more precise way to say Im tired.
But there arent really any shortcuts to getting enough sleep save for…getting enough sleep.
As much as I eschew most of the trendy biohacks, I do wear an Oura ring.
Do you feel well-rested?
Have you been under a lot of mental or physical stress lately?
it’s possible for you to answer those questions on your own.
A sleep tracker just gives you a more precise way to say Im tired.
Want to prevent cancer, for example?
TheAmerican Cancer Society has plenty of tips for you.
People have built huge muscles with nothing but weight training and a high protein intake.
Those who do this, have great genetics, andalsotake steroids have built even bigger ones.
Steroids are a biohack by any definition, but their dangers and side effects are well-known.
Reality is a lot more disappointing.
