News Excerpt: 

Biohacking is picking up in India, with followers trying everything from cryotherapy to IV therapy.

About Biohacking:

• Biohacking is the practice of employing methods drawn from fields like biology, genetics, neuroscience and nutrition to enhance physical or mental performance, improve overall health and well-being, or achieve a specific health outcome (like weight loss).
• Sometimes biohacking is also called do-it-yourself (DIY) biology.

Types of Biohacking:

• Almost any tactic could be considered biohacking if an individual employs it to enhance their biology in some way.
• Lifestyle:
  • This category of biohacking focuses on making positive health and behaviour choices, as well as embracing ways of life that activate the biology of performance and longevity. 
  • Lifestyle is probably the most accessible way most people can start experiencing biohacking, as it includes factors like dietary shifts, breathwork, meditation and exercise.
• Molecular:
• • Molecular biohacking involves the use of natural and synthetic molecules that can help shift one’s biology. 
    • Taking supplements would fall into this biohacking category.
• Biologics:
• • Biologics are cellular or biological products that are meant to improve or enhance biology. Biologics function like some sort of human cellular material.  
    • They could be cells, or could be small little information packets like exosomes, which are basically biological bundles of DNA, mRNA proteins and growth factors.
  • Biologics typically need to be ingested, injected (such as stem cells) or delivered intravenously (i.e. by IV transfusion). 
    • Some biologics require a prescription from a health care provider, such as medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while others don’t, such as non-medical IV therapies offered in independent boutiques nationwide.
• Technology:
• Biohacks in this category include devices like wearables (such as smartwatches) and diagnostics (such as blood sugar monitors). 
• In such cases, biohacking uses technology to gather data about the body.
• It functions so that an individual can use that information to adjust their health as they strive for improved performance.
• Technology biohacks also include use of advanced machines like hyperbaric chambers or electromagnetic stimulators to try and stimulate more rapid physiological changes or healing.

Is Biohacking Safe?

• Biohacking is fighting a bad reputation in some circles because it’s occasionally practiced “ahead of the science,” meaning people test hacks on themselves before they’re proven to work in a controlled clinical research setting. 
• In fact, a 2020 article shows the lack of scientific oversight of many genetic biohacking and other DIY science procedures currently surfacing on the consumer market.
• However, when approached with safety in mind and used incrementally, biohacking can be safe for most people.
• It’s crucial to approach biohacking with caution, relying on evidence-based information and consulting with health care professionals when necessary.