The word biohacking has been a buzzword in the health and wellness industry over the past few years. But it is only recently that I keep seeing the word popping up in mainstream magazines and other media sources. People are catching on and want to know more about what this biohacking thing is and how to get hacking.
In short, it's a trend towards taking greater responsibility for your health and wellness, to add my spin to the words of David Asprey, the self-proclaimed father of biohacking.
“Using traditional methods and ancient wisdom, science, technology and self-experimentation to upgrade and optimise one's biology and performance for greater healthspan and longevity.”
A little background to where the word biohacking came from, Dave Asprey was a computer pro and hacker from Silicon valley. After years of poor health, he started to investigate how to improve or rather HACK his health to feel more optimal. He then started a company called Bulletproof which sells health supplementation, the company is known for a unique type of coffee in which you add MCT oil and butter, intermittent fasting and following a Keto diet.
All of which are designed to hack your biology for more energy, focus and health.
When I first read about biohacking, especially when it comes to traditional methods like alternating hot/cold showers called Wechseldusche in German, Sauna, Breathwork, Grounding, Cold immersion....I had been a hacker for decades and I didn’t even know it.
The fact is that if you are following any specific protocol to optimise your health and performance you are a biohacker.
I think we all have to start hacking ourselves in some way. Our Ancestors were hardwired over hundreds of thousands of years to withstand all kinds of stressors manifesting in a much better tolerance for temperature, foods and toxins easily and a resilience which the modern human does not have (enough of) today.
Life was much simpler with fewer distractions from our modern life and going back to some basics is often the first step for optimising health.
Clean water, plenty of daylight exposure, lots of movement during the day, quality sleep and rest, eating simple organic and seasonal foods, a deep connection to ourselves and our tribe etc.
I am writing this towards what I am hoping to be the end of a two-year pandemic where we humans learned more than ever that if you are not fit and healthy and REALLY in charge of your health there will be worse health outcomes.
Biohacking puts you in the driver seat. You can indeed be the CEO OF YOUR HEALTH!
By knowing data through taking blood tests, using wearables to track activity levels, HR, HRV and sleep, taking time and learning how to tune into your body and listen, you can take more control and increase your health-span, which is the time we spend injury and illness free.
Having said this, I think it is important to understand what biohacking is not. It’s not a quick fix or magic pill. Successful hacking takes consistent action, patience and dedication. We change through the seasons of the year and the seasons of life. Being able to adapt and listen to the innate wisdom of the body is key.
It's 100% worth the effort and time because it’s YOUR health and without it, nothing else matters.
I hope with this blog, I can inspire you to start hacking your health or just maybe give you a little push in the right direction.
Here are some of the most well-known hacks you can get started with today:
More extreme hacks:
Biohackers to follow:
