Biohacking – or ‘do-it-yourself biology’ – is everywhere right now. On TikTok the term has garnered 951 million views and counting. On Google, the search term has seen a 900% increase in the past 90 days globally. It seems that everyone is in on the movement. So it begs the question, what is biohacking and how can we get in on it?
What is biohacking?
Biohacking is the practice of making small changes to your lifestyle in order to improve your overall health. It’s of particular interest currently to Millennials and Gen Z, who are turning to science and reason as a way to better understand and manage their health. Biohacking is often ritualistic in the sense that people practice these hacks in repetitive ways to optimise the effect it’ll have on their body. In fact, you’re probably biohacking in some ways yourself. Practicing meditation? That’s a biohack. Integrating apple cider vinegar into your daily routine? That, too. Stick to an exercise regime? Yep, that’s another one. Partial to an intermittent fast? You get the gist.
In fact, biohacking is such serious business to some (emphasis on some here) that they not only invest in wearable tech, but are embedding tech in their bodies. We’re talking electronic tattoos or biostamps, password pills, memory chips, magnetic implants, and guiding/GPS systems – all of which can be embedded. Many see this embedding as an extension of wearable tech and a reflection of modern innovation. Although undoubtedly the magnitude of personal data that’s shared with companies is something to be considered. So we’ll leave that for now, and go back to more, well, modest biohacking examples.
Who is famous for biohacking?
Take a moment to deep dive in the internet and you’ll be met with some fascinating people who are immersed in the biohack world, using every measure – and cost – available to prolong their lives. Consider them to be the hyper-biohacking enthusiasts. Take Silicon Valley entrepreneur Serge Faguet, who spent $200k on biohacking to become “calmer, thinner, extroverted, healthier and happier.” Faguet, who ultimately intends to merge with robots and become an ultra human, is part of a group of wealthy business people who believe money will buy time.
Sean Parker, the ex-Facebook president and Napster founder who was played by Justin Timberlake in The Social Network, was quoted as saying, “Because I’m a billionaire, I’m going to have access to better healthcare so… I’m going to be, like, 160 and I’m going to be part of this class of immortal overlords.”
Even Bill Maris, founder and former CEO of Google Ventures, the search giant’s venture capital arm, went on to launch Calico (an acronym for California Life Company), which aims to “solve death.”
Perhaps most notable is a man that’s truly investing – literally – millions on his life. 46-year-old tech billionaire Bryan Johnson spends $2 million per year on his anti-aging lifestyle, known as ‘Project Blueprint‘, in an attempt to reverse the aging process. He has made headlines over his controversial and unrelenting attempt to live forever. Johnson eats a strict vegan diet of 2,250 calories per day in a six-hour period. He wakes each day at 5am, exercises at a high intensity for one hour, takes 111 supplements daily, has regular blood transfusions, adheres to a strict bedtime routine and undertakes daily health tests. His skincare regime comparatively is fairly low-touch; he uses CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser and microdoses on Accutane, the retinoid medication that treats severe acne. At night, he wears blue light glasses and is hooked up to a machine that tracks his erections (it is said that the younger you are, the more frequent and long the erections you have – so aplenty is the goal there.)
While the aforementioned examples seem to be only reserved for the wealthy (sadly, no, I don’t have $2M to drop on my foray into biohacking each year), there are layman hacks that still improve our health and are worth dipping into this year. In fact, given it’s a real trend, the team at Set for Set have listed a few that are certainly worth looking out for this year (and I’m sure you’ll recognise a few).
What are the biohacking trends to look out for this year?
1. Ice baths
As the name would suggest this is a bath at cold – or very cold – temps. Plunge in for anywhere between 2 and 15 minutes in water that’s usually around 12°C. What are the benefits? Relieved muscle soreness and inflammation, activated immune system, elevated metabolic rate, improved sleep quality and purported mental clarity afterwards.
2. Consistent sleep
The elusive, beautiful, restful sleep is something we’re all on a pilgrimage to find. Sure, we already know that alcohol, electronic devices and sugar before bed are a no-go, but what about circadian rhythms? Sleep schedules and sleep consistency is the new buzz term, with studies finding that later sleep timing and greater sleep variability associated with adverse health outcomes. So what’s the go? Head to bed each night at the same time, and wake consistently at the same time, too. And try to stick – where feasible – to the natural cycle of the sun – go to sleep as close to sunset as you can, and wake as close to sunrise as possible. Early to bed, early to rise.
3. Regular blood testing
These days knowledge is power and aren’t we all on the pursuit of data and insights more than ever before. So much so that the latest biohacking trend to emerge is regular blood testing. This can be as in depth as a doctor’s visit to check everything from calcium to cholesterol, to using new wearable tech to identify the likes of blood glucose and hydration. These tests can indicate everything from heart and circulatory health, to liver and kidney function. It’s all with prevention in mind, and we’re certainly a society that’s introspective about being on the front-foot more than ever before.
4. Red light therapy
Red light therapy (RLT) is a popular method used to optimize overall skin health. Often used as a staple in spas, red light has a longer wavelength than it’s blue light cousin, allowing it to more deeply penetrate multiple layers of skin. RLT is also used after laser treatment and to manage scars, burns and UV damage as a way to expedite healing, and it’s also said to boost muscle recovery, reduce pain and inflammation, support nervous system health, and generally increase energy levels. In terms of skincare, RLT makes a noticeable difference in skin tone and texture and can be used at home, too.
Therabody’s TheraFace Mask is one such device that uses 648 medical-grade Red, Red + Infrared and Blue LED lights to reduce signs of ageing, firm skin and increase radiance. It’s 9-minute one-touch preset cycles through all three lights, however each 3-minute light therapy cycle can also be used independently, too. Not only is the mask super comfy (thanks to soft protective eye shields and adjustable straps), but it comes with a vibrating treatment, that you can use with or without the lights, to reduce stress and tension and offer the relaxation benefits of massage. Find out more here.
Therabody’s TheraFace Mask
5. Science-backed wellness
Certainly a broad theme but interesting nonetheless; wellness is a top priority for people in 2024, but not any old wellness – fact-driven health. Mindybody and Classpass‘s annual prediction showed that consumers have shifted from misinformation to science-based, performance-driven results. The saturation of TikTok and social media proclamations and hacks means that people are becoming more skeptical and looking for efficacy and data when it comes to their health. Enter wearable tech, apps, schedules, biohacking as a broader trend and any other ways to optimise daily.
6. Moderate coffee intake
Heavy coffee consumption could be on the outs with low coffee consumption on the rise. Low levels – we’re talking 50 – 300mg – has been linked to increased alertness, energy, and ability to concentrate, while higher doses may have negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. Instead, alternatives are on the agenda with people opting for matcha, orzo, chicory and more.
7. Smart supplements
We’ve always loved popping health pills, but as it turns out 2024 is set to be the biggest year yet. By 2030, it is anticipated that the Australian nutritional and supplements market will reach a value of $9.81 Bn from $4.58 Bn in 2022. But what’s different this year? People are asking more of their supps, and it’s no surprise given the saturated market. Which are worth the hype? There’s a huge range on offer, so it’s absolutely worth doing your due diligence. The general rule of thumbs is that some are superior to others in terms of efficacy, and a great starting place is to look at prebiotics, probiotics, vitamin D, fibre, selenium and fish oil. As always, consult your healthcare professional.
8. Saunas
Saunas are small rooms heated with hot air or steam, and have been found to support cardiovascular health. This is because when your body is exposed to high temperatures, it works to cool itself down by increasing heart rate, blood flow, and cardiac output. Essentially this decreases your blood pressure, leading to benefits for cardiovascular health and longevity. For the best results, it’s suggested that you attend a sauna at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Let’s all sweat it out.
9. Breathwork
May sound simple, but the benefit of breathing and mindfulness has proven fabulous benefits. Psychological studies have revealed breathing practice to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for emotion enhancement, including a reduction in anxiety, depression, and stress. Essentially breathwork practice is training the body to control breathing and utilize it as a calming tool during times of stress. To practice breathwork, inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat this for around 10 minutes per session. For best results, do this once in the morning and once in the evening
10. Intermittent fasting
Not a new trend but certainly one that’s gaining popularity year on year. Studies have found that intermittent fasting can trigger pancreas regeneration, which in effect improves blood sugar levels and reverses the symptoms of diabetes. And The University of Adelaide also conducted a study which found that a fasting diet which focused on eating early in the day could be the key in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
These trends are observational – as with anything to do with health, speak with your GP or health care provider in regards to a more customised plan for you.
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