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Summary
- People use biohacking as a tool to stop ageing or get relief from medical conditions.
- Some enthusiasts go beyond the simple methods and start body augmentation to boost performance. For example, they implant chips in the body to carry out different functions.
- The nutrigenomic techniques that experiment with food for weight loss are considered safer than other forms of biohacking.
The trend of biohacking is catching up with some people in western countries. But what is biohacking? According to its advocates, it is a technique that allows you to improve your health and mental and physical performance by following a do-it-yourself or DIY routine that combines meditation, fasting, yoga, and technology.
So, let's see what each of these activities involve for a biohacking enthusiast. According to a Forbes article, people use biohacking as a tool to stop ageing or get relief from medical conditions. In addition, it helps them achieve superior body functions or health needs.
For instance, fit bands can keep you informed on some of the vital stats of your health, like sugar level, heart, blood pressure etc., in real-time. Fasting is another biohacking technique that encourages people to eat one meal a day to help control weight and sugar. Another method to lose weight is to expose the body to cold. For example, some people take a cold shower or ice bath or use nitrogen to cool their bodies so they can lose weight, said the Forbes report.
Also Read: When stress is good for you
Source: Pixabay.
But some enthusiasts go beyond the simple methods and start body augmentation to boost performance. For example, they implant chips in the body to carry out functions like opening doors or paying bills. The chips work as a biometric scanner to carry out these functions, Vox reported.
Some people also use a hyperbaric chamber to deprive body cells of oxygen to improve body functions. Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey is one of them, said the Forbes report.
Also Read: Why regular physical activity is critical to your mental health
However, although the concept of biohacking is relatively new, the various techniques are grouped into categories. Two such groups are called Nutrigenomics and Grinder. The former focuses on food and how they interact with genes, and the latter is about controlling the body parts like 'cyborgs' by implanting devices in the body, the health-and-wellness portal healthline.com reported.
Grinder biohacking takes inspiration from the concept of transhumanism, a philosophical movement whose proponents advocate the enhancement of human abilities by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies to enhance longevity, mood, and cognitive skills, said the report.
However, basic biohacking methods are easier to implement than Grinder or Nutrigenomics. But before beginning a biohacking regimen, you need to consult with your doctor.
So, is biohacking safe?
The nutrigenomic techniques that experiment with food for weight loss are considered safer than other forms. For instance, implanting devices in the body can be dangerous, as in grinder biohacking techniques, although studies on its consequences are limited.