Are you tired of your daily routine? If so, you are by no means the only one. The truth is that, with the arrival of Covid-19, things seem to be going uphill. The boredom of everyday life is increasing, while society is locked in a vicious circle of everyday life.
Likewise, there are more and more people who lead a sedentary life and, consequently, develop any type of illness, both physical and mental. Well, it is known that the less physical activity you do, the less endorphins your body will produce and, as a result of this, your self-esteem and emotional well-being will be negatively affected.
For this reason, since 2015, a different life project has been developed, which has been rapidly gaining acceptance and has spread to various parts of the world. Its objective is to generate a change in the person and for him to become his own master, to take charge of his life and make it better, this movement is known by the name of biohacking.
You’ve probably never heard it before. However, what do you think of his philosophy? Do you sympathize with the idea of being a better person? Do you want to change the course of your life? If so, here you will find everything you need to know about biohacking in order to create a meaningful and lasting change.
You will know what it is about, what it is based on, what its main characteristics are, what its objective is, what you need to achieve it, what benefits it brings, what are the negative aspects that you have to take into consideration before taking the leap into the void, etc.
Therefore, you cannot stop reading this article. Perhaps it is the answer that you have been looking for so much to give a new meaning to your life.
Instructions
It is also known by the name of DIY biology. It is nothing more than a method that consists of making changes both in the diet that is carried out and in the lifestyle to improve aspects such as the health, well-being and physical abilities of the person.
The term biohacking is made up of two words, bio and hacking. Bio alludes to biology, while hacking has to do with unlocking potential. It includes the work of own biology using a series of medical, nutritional and electronic techniques in order to increase the physical and mental capacities of the subject.
Its purpose is to transform you into your best version by implementing its hacks or methods to improve your physical and mental health. The idea is that you get the best results with the least possible effort.
One of the pioneers of biohacking is Dave Asprey, who managed to become a totally different person, both physically and mentally, through this philosophy of life. First of all, he managed to lose about 100 pounds. But, in addition, he increased his IQ and was the founder of a very successful company.
For him, biohacking is more than a science, it is an art that consists of changing both what surrounds you and what is inside you so that you can have full control of your own biology.
Changes can go from minor to major. Perhaps, you start with taking cold showers until you lead to your own experimentation, such as modifying your DNA, if you consider it necessary. Since it follows the principle of personal freedom. This means that you can decide for yourself how far you want to go and what are the truly effective changes for you.
The most widely used biohacking are those that are related to the benefits to achieve significant weight loss and to improve the capabilities and functions of the brain. However, before taking this important step, you need to be well informed.
Keep in mind that a biohacker is not someone who tests all the new devices and supplements they find on themselves, but rather a person who knows how to use them correctly. On the other hand, one of the fundamental principles by which biohacking is governed is the monitoring of the results through laboratory analysis.
Although it is true that it is a new routine, totally unknown, it is likely that, seeing the benefits it brings, you want to venture into it. If you don’t have the slightest idea how to do it, don’t get lost! Next, we will be indicating what you need to start putting biohacking into practice.
What do you need?
To get into biohacking it is important to start by putting into practice hacks that are simple. Just as a child can’t run if he can’t walk, you can’t skip the basic level to take a professional one.
For example, one of the fields in which you can start experimenting is related to nutrition. At the same time, avoid those practices that could be dangerous for the body.
These are some of the hacks that are considered safe and that you can do from home:
- Intermittent fasting: this is a nutritional method which is based on the periodic rejection of some foods in a cyclical way or during a period of the day. It is not about following a very strict diet. Rather, it has to do with reducing the hours of the day when it is permissible to eat, making it possible to remove obsolete cells from the body. His most classic method is known as the 16/8 diet. Start with a breakfast break, follow with a hearty lunch at noon, and end with a light, early dinner.
- Intake of foods with tryptophan and sunlight: You may not know what tryptophan is. This is one of the raw materials for hormones that are related to well-being and personal satisfaction. Some of the foods that contain tryptophans are nuts, pine nuts, red meat, soy-based foods, eggs, chocolate, white meat, etc. By combining this type of food with taking sunlight, the synthesis of related hormones is ensured, such as serotonin and oxytocin, the so-called happiness and love hormones, respectively.
- Meditate 15 minutes a day: This is one of the most basic methods of biohacking. It allows to regulate stress levels, at the same time that it improves the perception that one has towards problems. Some experts have bought meditation to rebooting a computer because the brain is given a chance to de-stress. You can try it first thing in the morning and it doesn’t necessarily take a lot of time. It will be enough that you do it for only about 5 minutes so that you can begin to perceive its great benefits.
- Drinking Caffeine: This is a widely recognized compound for enhancing productivity. It is advisable to drink caffeine every day, always at the same time. Also, keep track of how you feel both minutes and hours later. If you do not perceive improvements, you can try the following: adjust the amount of caffeine you ingest until you can determine the one that best suits your needs or goals.
- Take melatonin to sleep: this is one of the most important hormones in regulating sleep and the body’s biorhythms. It is also known as the sleep hormone. By taking just 1mg of melatonin you can fall asleep deeper and more restful.
Those who have reached an expert level in biohacking may take a higher dose in order to enjoy more lucid dreaming.
Other ways to start with biohacking are reducing blue light to improve sleep quality, digital detox or elimination of mobile device dependency, taking a cold shower to increase the feeling of well-being, walking barefoot as a way of working energy, drink water that is not processed, give hugs to people, establish real relationships, improve your posture, breathe through the belly, etc.
As you have noticed, it is about very simple practices that you can implement in your life in order to promote significant change. In addition, they do not require greater effort or endanger your health. But what other aspects should you know about biohacking? Pay attention to the following recommendations.
Tips
Something that will help you bet on this alternative lifestyle is to know closely what are the benefits it brings. Some of which we can mention are the following:
Among the advantages on a physical level are:
- Lose fat with greater ease and with the least possible effort.
- Get a better sleep.
- A significant increase in daily energy levels.
- The reduction of blood pressure.
- The acceleration of the increase in muscle mass.
- The strengthening of the immune system, which means getting sick less or lasting less time in that state.
- A better and more active sex life.
- The improvement of the intestinal flora and, consequently, better daily evacuations.
- Reduction of inflammation of different organs.
- Having fewer cravings for unhealthy foods, such as fats, sweets, and other highly processed foods.
- Increased performance at the athletic level.
While it is true that these are great benefits, they are not the only ones you can receive. There are also advantages at the mental level , for example:
- Increased personal satisfaction.
- A better ability to concentrate.
- Enjoy greater emotional stability.
- Increased motivation.
- The prevention of depression, anxiety or panic attacks.
- Enjoy better functions at the cognitive level.
- Greater empathy towards others and the environment, in general.
- Increased productivity, etc.
Actually, the benefits are so many that the list could be endless. However, it is your personal goals that will determine the benefits you will experience.
On the other hand, to better understand what biohacking consists of, you should not only settle for knowing its advantages. It is also important that you are aware of its disadvantages, so that you do not get unpleasant surprises and can make an objective decision.
Its drawbacks
Since, basically, it is an experiment that seeks to modify the human body, it can bring health consequences that can be mild, serious and even fatal, although its contraindications have not yet been determined with great precision.
- It is considered one of the most dangerous techniques for health.
- The implantation of foreign objects in the body, such as chips or similar objects, may sound futuristic and innovative, but the truth is that it can result in various inflammations, chronic infections and even increase the risk of developing some type of cancer.
- Some extreme biohackers have gone to the point of modifying their DNA.
However, the truth is that most practices or hacks related to this alternative lifestyle are quite safe. Especially in its initiation phase or beginners.
If you abide by these parameters and stay within the limits established as safe, you can have full confidence that the changes that take place in your life will be to make it better. You will have full control of it, you will bring out what is inside you that steals your happiness and you will not allow what is in your environment to take away your peace of mind.