What is biohacking
In discussing the topic of biohacking, you must first avoid confusion with the terminology, as this word means different directions. This article talks about personal biohacking, in which a person thoroughly studies his body, finds its optimal indicators, and then follows a lifestyle that keeps them at the right level. Simply put, in this view, biohacking is a healthy lifestyle based on laboratory research data..
In the scientific sense, biohacking is the study of organs, tissues and body systems in order to make positive changes. Most often, such work is carried out in amateur laboratories, and correction refers to the use of drugs and genetic research. Another area of biohacking unites those involved in the implantation of technological inventions into the body. Such people are also called grinders. These studies are supported by both academics and ordinary enthusiasts. The latter are larger, and they often commit controversial operations.
In Russia, the main popularizer of personal biohacking is businessman Sergey Fage. His article on what turned out to reduce the biological age to 25 years with the actual 32 years, became very popular. Sergey wrote that he talked with dozens of specialists, conducted a lot of research and learned absolutely everything about his own body.
Now he knows all the indicators and norms that must be followed, and his lifestyle is based on thoughtful nutrition, physical activity, mental healing practices. According to the entrepreneur, taking a medical history and developing such a system cost about $ 200,000.
Basic principles of personal biohacking
All biohacking areas see the goal in maintaining health and prolonging life. Fage, for example, wants to live more than 100 years. The idea of longevity and immortality excites people, probably since the inception of civilization. And we really go to this – the development of medical technology is gradually increasing the average life expectancy.
In part, biohacking is another fashion trend, but the idea is not without common sense. Structurality and a scientific approach speak in her favor. Some enthusiasts surprise with extravagant techniques that cause controversy and questions. But the general principles of biohacking do not create doubts about their benefits. They comply with the recommendations of official medicine..
1. Sleep Hygiene
A lot has been written about how useful it is to sleep for 7-8 hours, and biohackers do not discover anything fundamentally new in this matter. To know exactly the individual duration and optimal sleep period, you need to go through a somnological study. If you are not ready to pay for it yet, but want to create a solid base for your vacation, remember the following rules:
• Go to bed at the same time.
• A few hours before bedtime, abandon the “blue” light (comes from displays of electronic devices, TVs, some lamps).
• Sleep in the dark.
• Make sure that during sleep the room has fresh air, good humidity and temperature + 18-19? C.
2. Healthy nutrition and diet
Another aspect of the importance of which is said a lot and actively. An accurate diet is made only after an anamnesis, a study of the body’s reaction to certain products, calculation of the amount of energy spent and other factors. But almost always, doctors give the following tips:
• Eat less pure sugar. It must be ingested from fruits, vegetables, and other natural products..
• Reduce salt intake or completely.
• Do not eat meat products that are produced on an industrial scale. On farms and farms animals are added growth accelerators, chemical additives.
• Refuse alcohol, tobacco.
• Drink clean water. Tea, coffee and sugary drinks are sources of light carbohydrates and “boosters” that disrupt the body’s natural function..
In addition to these standard principles, biohackers come to more severe practices. For example, Phage periodically performs cyclic starvation, as did Phil Libin, the former head of Evernote and the current head of the All Turtles AI studio. Another diet known in biohacking is ketogenic, in which a person consumes few carbohydrates, but many fats..
3. Optimal physical activity
Constant exercise of varying intensity is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle. But it is important to understand that someone’s advice and training complexes do not guarantee anything. The best selection of exercises is one that is based on a personal level of training, nutrition and lifestyle. True, many biohackers advise not to turn sports into one of the main activities. Mobility is more necessary to relieve muscle tension, maintain blood circulation in the body and psycho-emotional tone.
4. Mental health
Stress management through mental practices is also one of the key principles of biohacking. Psychotherapy, meditation, sex help to get rid of stress, prevent chronic fatigue, maintain optimism..
Mental health affects the physical, psycho-emotional state and mental abilities. It is important for any person, regardless of their professional sphere..
5. Taking medications and vitamins
This principle is one of the main differences between biohacking and the traditional understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Some “zoozhniki” deny the need to take dietary supplements, vitamins, mineral elements. They adhere to the position of “natural” healing: vitamins are needed – pick up the product in which they are.
Biohacking does not deny the importance of natural nutrition. But it emphasizes that every diet has weaknesses, and it cannot provide the body with the necessary nutrients 100%. Therefore, taking drugs to maintain a healthy level of nutrients is actively practiced. This prevents the development of diseases, preserves immune properties and slows down aging..
The list of medicines and dietary supplements for admission needs to be made individually. And here lies the main mistake of many beginners and even experienced biohackers. They take supplements without prior medical research..
What is dangerous biohacking?
Eat right, sleep well, avoid a deficiency of certain substances in the body – can there be any shortcomings in this lifestyle? Of course. Huge resources are needed to create a truly personal system and stick to it. This is money, and time, and willpower.
Biohacking is not a recovery course, but an approach to life. It must always be observed, otherwise the positive effect will go away. Counting calories, playing sports, taking a monthly exam and making adjustments to your life schedule – sounds good for the purpose of living a long time. But will it help to live happily? Psychologists believe that not everyone. The fact is that a passion for biohacking can deprive a sense of well-being. And the desire to establish total control over any process that occurs in the body will give rise to serious psychological problems.
Speaking about the shortcomings, the following should be noted:
• Waiver of important products. Sergey Fage calls not to eat sugar, or rather simple carbohydrates, in any form. That is, completely exclude bread, pasta, sweets, confectionery, fruit nectars from the diet. Yes, the abundance of light sugars is the misfortune of modern man. But this does not mean that the body does not need them. The same applies to salt, meat, passion for raw food diet. The main thing is the measure.
• Diets. Starvation, ketosis, and other dietary practices often look from the outside, not as part of a healthy life, but as a fanatical hobby for biohacking know-how. In some cases, this is really useful. But such experiments on the body can only be carried out under the supervision of doctors. And they are likely to ban them in order to prevent the development of eating disorders, heart failure and weakened immunity..
• Drugs. An unsystematic approach to the use of vitamins, minerals and biostimulants can cause damage to the body. For example, many biohackers drink metmorphinyl. It lowers blood sugar, but with prolonged use it provokes a deficiency of B12, digestive problems. And modafinil improves concentration and memory, but depletes the nervous system, is addictive.
Conclusion
Biohacking is the desire for well-being, high productivity and a long, happy life. A person who really succeeds in following a complex individual biohacking system arouses respect. But do not forget that this requires responsibility and sanity. It is easy to get involved in “healthy” practices and anti-age technologies, especially when they are accompanied by good advertising.
If you are interested in the topic of biohacking, act fundamentally. Plan your diet, sports, and drug use based on medical examinations and not on forums or tips from famous people. Be attentive to the body, and do not turn the enthusiasm of healthy lifestyle into a test. It is the pleasure of life and well-being that make us successful, productive and happy..
Similar articles
- How blockchain technology will change the world and urban environment
Alexander Borodich – Russian serial entrepreneur, venture investor – 95 startups in the portfolio, one of the first specialists in the field of innovation and…
- How bitcoin works and why it is similar to conventional currency?
You may have heard that bitcoin is an illusion and a massive hallucination. Just numbers in cyberspace, a mirage, imperceptible, like a soap bubble. Bitcoin…
- Financial supermarkets to watch out for.
“Do you want to make money without leaving your home?”, Or “The real way to make a million”, or “Learn 10 secrets of rich people about how to become…
What are some effective sleep hygiene practices that readers can incorporate into their daily routine for a better and more restful slumber?
What are some practical tips or strategies to improve sleep hygiene and ensure a restful night’s sleep?