If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on health advice, knowing where to turn or what to believe can be hard, especially on social media. We’re constantly bombarded with people claiming they found the best next thing to improve your health.
While there’s a wealth of knowledge on the internet regarding healthy lifestyles, it’s important to learn how to filter what’s real and what isn’t. Biohacking is a newer health trend on the rise, garnering a significant following and attention.
Keep reading to learn more about biohacking, including what it is, if it benefits your health and how you can incorporate it into your daily life to better your health.
Biohacking 101
Biohacking is a do-it-yourself approach to optimizing health and wellness and maximizing human performance by using science to change aspects of biology. The latter half of this word, “hacking,” insinuates that individuals can “hack” their biology with various lifestyle changes, supplements or wearable technologies to control their health — and potentially extend their lives.
While this may sound complicated, it can be quite simple. Common examples include:
- Cryotherapy
- High-intensity interval training
- Intermittent fasting
- Light therapy
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Nootropics supplements
- Sleep optimization
While some of these examples seem common, “biohackers” look at these techniques in a more holistic way, seeing how they positively affect their body and mind and how they help them optimize their health.
How to Daily Incorporate Biohacking
Many different biohacks can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle that can help improve your overall well-being. For example, intermittent fasting can help lower blood sugar and reduce weight loss and inflammation. Prioritizing your sleep schedule can lower your risk of developing heart disease and build your immune system. For a solid foundation in biohacking, you can implement the following:
- Cold and heat therapies
- Regular exercise
- Nutrient-dense foods
- Stress management techniques
- Tracking your health stats with wearable technology
Many biohacking techniques are widely known and used in healthy lifestyles, and health care professionals even recommend them. But before you start a new supplement or health regimen, it’s essential to talk to your doctor, especially if you have an existing condition or medication that may make a “biohack” harmful to your health.
Does Biohacking Work, and Is It Safe?
While certain biohacking techniques are safe, some practices put you at risk of developing various illnesses and even cancer. Since biohacking is still in its infancy, it’s not regulated at the same level as other treatments. This lack of regulation gives people the freedom to experiment with different chemicals or implantable devices that aim to monitor and improve their health. Often, the individuals experimenting aren’t well-versed in medicine, human biology or technology — and they’re not qualified to give health advice.
It's best to avoid unregulated biohacks. If you’re unsure whether a certain substance or device is safe for you, always reach out to your primary care provider.
Helping You Optimize Your Health
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. We know you want what’s best for your health, and we’re here to provide individualized care plans that optimize your well-being.
Visit us here to learn more about our wellness care services or schedule an appointment. You have what it takes to lead a healthy life.
