This is part one of a two-part series on biohacking.
Summary
In the flurry of information that exists around biohacking, many fundamental questions go unanswered. This story breaks down the basics of human enhancement, including:
– What is the history behind biohacking?
– What types of biohacking therapies exist?
– How can it practically be applied to your life?
Estimated read time: 3 minutes
David Cassolato
PART 1
Introduction
Do you find yourself battling brain fog or longing for better sleep? Perhaps a biohack or a neurofeedback device could help. Biohacking, the practice of using science and technology to enhance bodily functions, encompasses any changes individuals make to positively impact their biology or gain an edge in intelligence or capabilities. Proponents attribute various improvements to biohacking, from mood enhancement and increased energy levels to reduced anxiety and clearer skin. Products like Narbis glasses can assist in achieving these benefits.
Biohacks come in various forms including modified diets, exercise regimes, sleep patterns, stress management techniques, nutritional supplements, alternative medicines, peptides, and increasingly through technological gadgets like neurofeedback devices and audio-visual entrainment headsets.
The History of Biohacking
While biohacking may seem like a modern trend, its roots trace back centuries through practices like transcendental meditation and intermittent fasting.
Joel Evan, a health coach with eight years of biohacking experience, credits Dave Asprey, the founder of Bulletproof, with popularizing the term. Asprey, a former computer programmer, delved into alternative health after struggling with weight issues and health problems. His exploration led him to unconventional health modalities like ozone therapy, red light therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy.
Evan is an electric stimulation physical therapist (using a biohacking device called a Neubie (Neuro-Bio-Electric Stimulator)) and the podcast host of “The Hacked Life” where he’s interviewed some of the top leading health experts in the world like Asprey, Dr. John Jaquish, and Shawn Wells.
For example, Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof and known as the godfather of biohacking, hangs out in a hyperbaric chamber, depriving his cells of oxygen in order to improve his brain function and muscle tissue and to repair the damage inflicted by the normal aging process.
Biohacking Therapies
Biohacking therapies harness light, electricity, and other modalities for healing and enhancement. Some popular ones include neurofeedback devices, neurofeedback machines, and Narbis glasses.
Electrical Stimulation Therapy
This technique favored by Evan involves using devices like the Neubie to run DC electrical currents through the body. This can induce a parasympathetic or relaxed state, aiding in healing and stress relief.
“Doing so puts my body in a parasympathetic state or more rested state within 12-20 minutes,” he says.
Studies have shown that you can’t heal when your body is in a state of fight or flight. And as many of us know, we are constantly overwhelmed and living in stress. Evan says he’s seen several patients recover from chronic pain issues by doing this type of nervous system reset.
“The device is quite remarkable and practitioners have seen people recover from what might appear to be lifetime injuries. For example, a woman named Anne injured herself in a horseback accident and became paralyzed. After two years of consistent treatment with the Neubie, she was able to walk again using a walker down the aisle of her son’s wedding,” says Evan.
Red Light Therapy (RLT)
RLT utilizes specific wavelengths from the light spectrum to promote health and wellness, aiding in inflammation modulation, improved circulation, and mitochondrial health.
An easy biohack that everyone can incorporate is a red light device notes Evan. RLT is an innovative technique that utilizes specific red and near-infrared wavelengths from the light spectrum to promote health, wellness, and longevity. These fantastic benefits are achieved through modulation of inflammation, improved circulation, and boosting the health and function of your mitochondria.
“Many biohackers are using RLT to help recover from wounds faster or to help rejuvenate the skin as RLT has been shown to increase collagen synthesis,” says Evan.
Neurofeedback Therapy
This non-invasive technique monitors brainwave activity and provides feedback to encourage healthy brain function. It has applications in treating various conditions and enhancing mental performance.
Neurofeedback, a form of biofeedback, is a non-invasive, non-drug way to change the way your brain functions. Using neurofeedback devices like Narbis glasses, individuals can monitor brainwave activity and receive real-time feedback, making it an ideal solution for neurofeedback at home.
Neurofeedback has applications for a wide range of conditions including attention disorders like ADHD and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It can also be used to enhance normal functioning, improve overall mental performance, and restore calm and focus to a frazzled mind.
Popular neurofeedback technology on the market, such as Narbis smartglasses, use neurofeedback to track the wearer’s brain activity and then use that data to determine if they’re distracted, at which point the glasses’ lenses darken, or focused, which causes the lenses to clear. They are unique in that the neurofeedback is provided in real time while going about daily tasks without the need to look at a screen. This makes them ideal for at-home use.
Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE)
Narbis also offers the illume audio-visual entrainment glasses, which uses light and sound programs for focus, calming, sleep, and more. This innovative device helps guide your brain to optimal mental states using colored lights and binaural beats. It’s an effective solution for improving mental health and performance, helping with conditions like ‘Brain Fog,’ and is available at www.narbis.com/illume.
Other AVE devices on the market also offer similar benefits. For instance, the MindAlive DAVID Delight Pro combines light and sound to enhance brain function, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. Such devices can be an excellent addition to your biohacking toolkit, providing a multi-sensory approach to achieving mental and physical well-being.
Practical Biohacking Tips You Can Start Today
Anyone interested in dabbling in biohacking doesn’t have to go straight to hyperbaric chambers or expensive neurofeedback machines. There are plenty of simple everyday things you can try, including using neurofeedback at home with Narbis glasses or the Illume audio-visual entrainment headset.
– Update Your Skincare Routine: As the largest organ in your body, consider rethinking how you treat your skin, tossing out any skincare products that include animal testing or contain harmful chemicals.
– Hack Your Diet: Adopt healthy fasting techniques or take magnesium supplements that increase overall wellness by reducing anxiety and improving heart health.
– Reduce Social Media Use: A 2018 study proved that depression and loneliness can be caused by the overuse of social media.
– Don’t Drink from Plastic Bottles: This is one of the most important biohacking tips that you can follow, according to Alina Clark, former IT expert, entrepreneur startup enthusiast, and co-founder of CocoDoc. Most plastic bottles release a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), which is a hormone disruptor and can have negative health effects, including increasing your risk of cancer and obesity.
Magda Ehlers, Pexels
– Get Enough Sleep: One of the simplest biohacks that is highly overlooked is optimizing your sleep. Sleep is a time for your body to repair and rejuvenate itself. Countless studies have linked poor sleep with obesity. Obtaining quality sleep enhances your memory, keeps you slim and lowers food cravings, protects you from dementia and other diseases, reduces your risk of heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes, and can make you less anxious. Stay tuned for part two where we’ll delve into specific biohacking devices recommended by experts.
