My Top 5 Trends for Biohacking in 2024
Have you heard of the term ‘BIOHACKING‘.. Biohacking, which emerged in the mid 2000’s, is defined as a term people use to describe do-it-yourself biology which involves making changes to your body, diet or lifestyle to improve your health. Hacking can range from food/diet changes like intermittent fasting, to radical interventions of injections and wearable technology. The list is very long and growing.
Here are my top 5 trends for Biohacking in 2024:
Cold Plunging
Cold Plunging is all the rage right now and if you are on any social media app, you can’t scroll by without seeing someone cold plunging.
How it works: It basically works by taking a freezing cold shower or a freezing cold bath, to stimulate your sympathetic nervous system. The water should be between 32-60 degrees F and you submerge your body fully and the goal is to stay in the water for as long as possible. You should be able to submerge for more than 20 seconds as this will allow your body to down regulate the sympathetic nervous system.
What are the benefits:
reduce inflammation
boosts immunity
promotes weight loss
boosts mood
better sleep
increased energy
improves cognitive health
helps with recovery
For more information Cold Water Immersion (CWI) | Wim Hof Method
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy is a therapy using a non invasive, non chemical treatment of low wavelength red light to interact with your cells mitochondria. With more energy from the red light, cells can do their work more efficiently. These cells absorb the light wavelengths and are stimulated to work.
The therapy is used for a multiple of benefits:
relieve pain
reduce inflammation
improves skin tone
decreases sign of aging
collagen production
increase of brain function
would healing
sleep benefits
reverse hair loss
Typical sessions should last between 10-20 minutes and devices come in variable sizes. It is beneficial to make sure the light is between 600-650nm for best results.
Grounding
Grounding or also called ‘earthing’, is literally walking barefoot and connecting with nature by walking on the grass, sand or soil. The pretense is that when we spend time barefoot on the earth, our feet act as electrical currents, allowing the natural electrical charges that the earth produces to flow through us. You could also ground by gardening without gloves on or by swimming in lakes, rivers and oceans. There are now devices you can purchase that are for grounding but laying down and relaxing or standing on the grounding mat.
Grounding is known to boost energy, improve sleep and manage moods. Grounding has gained more popularity as we are constantly surrounded by more EMF’s (electromagnetic fields) of WIFI, technological devices (cell phones, computers), microwaves, x-rays. This biohack is used to counteract this contact. Also grounding is a great way to get out in nature and get your vitamin D.
Although controversial, there may be something to it. In movie Pretty Woman, Richard Gere’s character, Edward became a better person after walking barefoot in the park with Vivian (Julia Roberts)
Methylene Blue
Methylene blue is a man made compound developed in the 1800’s as a textile dye but was found to have many health benefit applications. Realizing it had antimicrobial properties, it was actually one of the first treatments for malaria.
How it works: Methylene blue is a salt (methylthioninium chloride) that is used in the body as an electron donor which supercharges your mitochondria. This ability to shuffle electrons makes methylene blue an integral part in cellular energy production. Working at the cellular level, this hack is usually taken orally but can be admitted by IV or as a suppository.
This compound has health benefits of:
cognitive benefits
boosts energy
anti inflammatory and anti aging effects
neuroprotection against Alzheimers and other cognitive disorders.
reducing symptoms of chronic infections
There are not a lot of side effects to using methylene blue other then blue urine and stool, stomach upset and allergic reactions. Do not use it you are taking SSRI’s, have kidney or liver problems or low blood pressure.
The Side Effects of Methylene Blue, How to Use it, & More. (bengreenfieldlife.com)
Shilajit
Pronounced ‘shee-la-jeet’, Shilajit is a sticky tar-like substance found primarily in the rocks of the Himalayas. It is the result of the slow composition of plants over centuries and is harvested in the warmer months when the substance oozes out of the rocks.
Commonly used is Ayurvedic medicine, shilajit contains fulvic acid, calcium, iron and magnesium. Ayurvedic medicine considers shilajit a rejuvenation substance that prolongs life and promotes vitality
.
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest medical systems. A holistic healing system based on the belief that health is a balance of mind, body and spirit. Uses products from plants, animals, metals and minerals.
The benefits of shilajit:
improving Alzheimer’s disease (the fulvic acid is shown to prevent the accumulation of tau protein which can build up and trigger brain damage)
boosts testosterone/improves fertility
anti aging
bone building
improves muscular strength
anti inflammatory
This product is safe to take orally but should be purified before doing so. Start with a small dose and work your way to the desired dosage. It can also be used topically for skin health.
So there you have it, my top 5 trends for biohacking in 2024. There are so many more that are out there, I could not possible write about them all.
I would love to know your thoughts on biohacking and if you have tried any that has benefitted you.
If you think someone you know might be interested in reading this post please share.
Danni
Wow!! You hit on all the cool things!!! Love the info.🤓