Biohacking: boost your wellbeing and prolong your life
What if ageing wasn’t an inevitable decline, but an opportunity for continuous growth and vitality? Imagine a future where you not only live longer, but also enjoy those extra years to the fullest – feeling strong, vibrant and empowered.
This is the promise of preventative health and the biohacking movement, a revolution in healthcare that’s rewriting the rules of ageing.
We all want to live longer, healthier lives – but how do we actually make that happen? Well, as they say, knowledge is power. In today’s data-rich era, we can analyse everything from our VO2 max and heart rate variability to our basal body temperature, glucose levels, metabolic function and countless other metrics. This wealth of information empowers us to understand our bodies like never before. But has our fascination with data gone too far? And what do all these metrics mean?
In this article we’re going to take a deep dive into what you can do to prolong your life, exploring the latest health trends for preventative health, including biohacking and DNA testing. Crucially, we will explain why expert advice and a thorough analysis of your personalised health data is essential to ensure you make the right lifestyle changes. Let’s dive in…
Why we champion a holistic approach to health
We’ve noticed a growing desire among our customers for agency over one’s health. People are becoming increasingly curious and informed, seeking deeper understanding and actively engaging in decisions about their wellbeing, beyond the confines of overstretched healthcare systems.
We know you crave a more holistic and proactive approach to health; one that looks at the whole body, searches for and identifies the root cause of any health problems and prioritises prevention, education and personalised solutions. But we also know our current healthcare system, strained as it is, can’t provide this sort of joined-up thinking. Faced with long wait times and limited access to GPs, individuals are being encouraged to take greater responsibility for their health and self-care.
What’s more, with so much information to digest and options to choose from it can be difficult to know what steps to take and why. As a result, people tend to adopt a scatter-gun approach: splurging on the latest new health supplement or trying a fad diet in the hope it might boost wellbeing without knowing what their bodies actually need.
This is why so-called biohacking has become such an attractive option for people who want to take full control of their wellbeing. The knowledge and information gathered from the different “biohacks” help you make considered choices about lifestyle changes so that you can live a long and happy life.
Biohacking: understanding your biology
So what exactly is biohacking? In a nutshell, biohacking uses scientific data and self-experimentation to optimise your biology and become the best version of yourself. Key markers gleaned from blood tests and information gathered from wearable devices such as smartwatches and continuous glucose monitors can help you make informed decisions about your health.
Importantly, this data enables you to take a more proactive DIY approach to your health, rather than simply accepting the status quo (or what your GP tells you).
Biohacking can involve a wide range of activities, from using wearable tech to track your sleep and nutrition to experimenting with different supplements and lifestyle interventions such as fasting and cold water swimming.
But the key lies in understanding the data behind your unique biology and to do that you need the help of a health expert. It’s all very well being told to “listen to your body”, but the reality is you need the eyes of trained pharmacists and doctors to identify key areas for improvement so you can take the right action.
Let’s explore four areas where biohacking can boost physical and mental wellbeing:
How to biohack
1. Your age: DNA age test
Did you know your chronological age – the one on your driving licence – is just a starting point? Your biological age, the true age of your cells, tells a much more compelling story. This is where DNA age testing comes in.
Scientists have been trying to quantify this phenomenon for years. Researchers define it as “the accumulation of damage we can measure in our body”, as Dr. Andrea Britta Maier, co-director of the Centre for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore, puts it. This damage is a natural part of ageing, but it’s also influenced by our environment and lifestyle choices.
DNA age tests analyse your unique genetic code to reveal how well you’re ageing at a cellular level. It’s like peeking under the hood to see what’s really going on. Armed with this knowledge, we can pinpoint areas for improvement, personalise your health strategies and track your progress over time.
What’s more, if you’re wondering if it’s possible to reverse your biological age, the answer is yes. Recent research from Harvard Medical School and Duke University School of Medicine has revealed that while stress can accelerate ageing, our bodies possess the remarkable ability to reverse this damage and reduce our risk of mortality.
By prioritising stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation and exercise, you can unlock your body’s age-reversing power and pave the way for a longer, healthier life.
2. Your health: lifestyle and nutrition DNA test
Ever wondered why some diets work for your friends but leave you feeling sluggish? Or why you seem to struggle with weight while others effortlessly maintain a healthy physique?
The answer might lie hidden within your genes.
With a simple blood sample, we can screen 40 key genes to reveal how your body reacts to the foods you eat and how your genes influence your weight, fitness, injury risk, mental health and sleep.
It will also identify whether you’re at higher risk for certain nutrition-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, predisposition to nutritional deficiencies and food intolerances, giving you the knowledge to create a personalised nutrition and exercise plan based on your DNA.
These tests, known as nutrigenomics tests, are also being used in the battle against obesity. Research is revealing how our genes influence our weight and susceptibility to obesity, paving the way for personalised strategies to combat this growing health challenge.
Used together with weight loss jabs, this approach can help you achieve a healthy weight, keep it there for good and build a positive relationship with food.
3. Your metabolism: analysing your vitals through fasting
Remember the 5:2 diet? That was just the tip of the iceberg. Intermittent fasting has evolved from a weight-loss trend to a fully-fledged biohacking phenomenon, with proponents pushing its boundaries far beyond calorie restriction.
Today’s biohackers are using intermittent fasting not just to shed pounds, but to optimise their physical and cognitive performance. They’re combining fasting with meticulous tracking of vitals like body composition, blood glucose and ketones — compounds produced when the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Advocates state they’re not trying to deprive themselves of nourishment; instead they are strategically manipulating their body’s metabolic processes to unlock peak performance. By understanding how your body responds to fasting, you can fine-tune your eating patterns to achieve your health and fitness goals.
But remember, biohacking is all about personalisation. What works for one person might not work for another. It’s crucial to experiment, listen to your body and find an approach that aligns with your individual needs and goals.
4. Your mind: the power of gratitude
Biohacking can extend to your mind as well. Cultivating a positive mindset and practising gratitude can have a profound impact on your overall health and wellbeing.
Research shows that gratitude, or having an abundance mindset, can boost your mood, improve your relationships and even make your body function better. Think of it as mental jujitsu: taking those negative thoughts and flipping them on their head. You’re not just accepting what your brain throws at you; you’re changing the game. Essentially, you’re harnessing the power of neuroplasticity and the ancient practice of meditation.
Your brain isn’t fixed. It’s constantly changing and adapting, and you can use that to your advantage. That’s neuroplasticity, and it’s like a superpower you didn’t know you had. Biohackers use targeted practices to enhance neuroplasticity and become the ultimate mental ninjas, including meditation and cognitive training, such as learning a musical instrument, trying a new art class or playing brain games.
Biohacking also dives deep into how your body affects your mind. By understanding the nuts and bolts of energy production, stress response and focus, biohackers can fine-tune their systems for peak mental performance.
Techniques like breathwork, being more present, taking adaptogens (herbs and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress, balance hormones and support overall well-being) and listening to binaural beats (auditory illusions created by playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear) can all help you focus and relax.
Is biohacking safe?
The biohacking movement celebrates pushing boundaries and taking control of your health. We’re huge supporters of the concept, but it’s crucial to remember that this is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While plunging into an ice bath, fasting for extended periods, hitting the gym and popping supplements might seem like the ultimate biohacking recipe, it’s essential to proceed with caution and a healthy dose of personalisation.
The truth is, our bodies are complex and unique. What works wonders for one person might wreak havoc on another. Blindly following the latest biohacking trends without understanding your individual needs can backfire, leading to imbalances and unintended consequences.
For example, if you’re loading up on supplements without testing for deficiencies, your body might struggle to process those excess nutrients. Similarly, pushing yourself through intense exercise and fasting without adequate fuel can shock your system, leading to hormone dysregulation and fatigue.
The key takeaway?
Biohacking can be a powerful tool in preventative health, but it’s important to understand your individual needs and personalise your approach. Don’t just follow the crowd: focus on unearthing your unique biology and get expert help to analyse the results.
Preventive health: the future is in your hands
As we’ve explored in this post, there is no logic in waiting for something to go wrong. People are recognising that good health is so much more than just the absence of disease. Preventive health, fuelled by the biohacking phenomenon, should empower you to seize the reins and proactively optimise your wellbeing.
At Being Well, we’re on a mission to help you understand your body at a deeper level, identifying potential risks before they become problems and taking action to live your best life, today and for decades to come.
As a private pharmacy, we bridge the gap between the NHS and the private healthcare system, offering affordable and personalised medication, advice, curated supplements and wellbeing products and a supportive community. We have a holistic approach to wellbeing that encompasses physical, mental and emotional health.
Being Well — personalised, proactive healthcare for everyone. We’re making it happen, through your local pharmacy.