How to Start Biohacking with Ben Greenfield | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
Feb 12, 2024
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Join Mukesh Bansal in a conversation with Ben Greenfield, a renowned author and biohacker. They discuss biohacking, blue-light protection, natural supplements, and other practices to optimize the human body. Ben shares his insights on starting the biohacking journey and reducing harm from blue light radiation. They also touch on tools to regulate the body during travels and ways to minimize the impact of alcohol. Overall, the podcast offers practical tips for living a fuller life in today's technological era.
Biohacking combines modern science with ancestral wisdom to achieve optimal health using technological advancements.
Addressing every human biological system is essential for addressing longevity and optimal health.
Self-learning and personal optimization through biomarker assessments, wearables, and genetic analysis can improve health and well-being.
Managing light exposure and electrical environments, including balancing natural and artificial light and reducing electromagnetic radiation, can optimize wellness and extend healthspan.
Deep dives
Biohacking: Marrying Modern Science to Ancestral Wisdom
To properly address human longevity, it is important to address various biological systems. This presents an opportunity to combine modern science with ancestral wisdom. Biohacking has gained popularity among entrepreneurs and executives, as it provides a way to achieve optimal health using technological advancements. The rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity is not solely linked to carbohydrate consumption, but to the replacement of traditional oils with vegetable oil. Taking care of our bodies involves addressing multiple physiological systems, and this comprehensive approach is crucial for human longevity.
The Journey to Writing 'Boundless' and Personal Transformation
The book 'Boundless' initially started as a guide on anti-aging and longevity. However, delving deeper into the various physiological systems that degrade with age led to a realization that addressing every human biological system is essential for addressing longevity. The author's personal journey to optimal health began with an interest in tennis, which led to exploring different aspects of exercise, nutrition, and supplementation. This journey eventually led to becoming a pioneer in biohacking and human optimization. The author's background in exercise science and physiology, combined with a dissatisfaction towards conventional medicine, drove the decision to delve deeper into human optimization.
Taking a Self-Learning Approach to Biohacking
Biohacking and human optimization do not rely solely on expensive consultations or treatments. With the abundance of information available, individuals can take a self-learning approach to improve their health and well-being. Testing oneself through various biomarker assessments, wearables, and genetic analysis allows for personalized optimization. By investing a bit of time each day, one can gradually gain knowledge and make targeted lifestyle adjustments. The power of self-education through platforms like podcasts, YouTube, and online resources enables individuals to gain expertise in optimizing their nutrition, supplementation, exercise routines, and biohacking practices.
The Importance of Light and Electrical Environment in Human Optimization
One often overlooked area of human optimization is the management of light exposure and electrical environments. Light plays a vital role in regulating our circadian rhythms and overall well-being. Incorporating practices such as grounding, exposure to natural sunlight, and light management in indoor environments can have a significant impact on healthspan. Similarly, paying attention to and reducing exposure to electromagnetic radiation can help improve overall health. By creating a balance between biological and artificial light sources, and controlling the electrical environment, individuals can optimize their wellness and extend their healthspan.
Starting the day with movement and self-massage
The speaker begins his day with some form of movement and self-massage, using foam rollers, massage guns, and exercise balls in his basement. This routine helps increase blood flow and flexibility, allowing him to stay metabolically active. It also serves as a backup workout option throughout the day.
Incorporating heat and cold therapy
The speaker believes in the power of heat and cold therapy. He either does hot and cold contrast showers in the morning or prefers using an infrared sauna followed by a cold bath or shower. This practice not only helps with detoxification but also charges up the body's battery and improves metabolic resilience.
Prioritizing rest and recovery
The speaker values the importance of rest and recovery in his daily routine. After lunch, he takes a nap, often using a hypobaric chamber or trying out relaxation devices to enhance his sleep quality. Additionally, he incorporates supplements such as magnesium and melatonin to optimize his sleep and ensures his bedroom environment is cool and conducive to rest.
In this episode of "Sparx with Mukesh Bansal" (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit), join us for a conversation with Ben Greenfield, a renowned author and biohacker, who enthrals readers with his expertise in health, fitness, and performance optimization.
Ben Greenfield delves into these questions, advocating for a fuller life. He not only shares practical alternatives but also draws from personal experiences to underscore their effectiveness. Through his insights and daily practices on biohacking, blue-light protection, natural supplements, earthing sheets, infrared saunas, and hypobaric chambers, Greenfield delves deeper into an array of themes, offering a roadmap to not only survive but thrive in an era where technological advances and health choices intertwine.
Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00:00:57 - Coming up 00:00:57 - 00:01:09 - Opening theme 00:01:09 - 00:06:27 - How Ben developed an interest in the health sciences 00:06:27 - 00:08:53 - The origin and meaning of Biohacking 00:08:53 - 00:12:44 - Has the evolution of science made biohacking easy today? 00:12:44 - 00:18:50 - What are the first steps an aspiring biohacker can take? 00:18:50 - 00:24:01 - Ben’s discoveries of the human body through his journey on human optimization 00:24:01 - 00:25:36 - Common practices to optimise one’s body 00:25:36 - 00:27:57 - How to minimise the harm from blue light radiation 00:27:57 - 00:30:48 - Tips to regulate your body during your travels 00:30:48 - 00:35:26 - Ways to reduce blue light radiation with tools that you can control 00:35:26 - 00:36:33 - The significance of light and the role it plays in optimising the human body 00:36:33 - 00:39:46 - Modern science and ancestral wisdom 00:39:46 - 00:43:23 - Rise in illnesses with transforming dietary meals and lifestyles 00:43:23 - 00:52:13 - Focus on the quality of life and not the quantity 00:52:13 - 00:56:24 - Does Having a Life Purpose Unlock a Fulfilling Existence? 00:56:24 - 01:01:56 - Ben emphasises the value of a family to have a collective life purpose 01:01:56 - 01:11:21 - Alternatives to medical supplements and elementary methods to achieve longevity 01:11:21 - 01:19:06 - Ben breaks down the usage, dosage, intake, after effects, and aftercare of alcohol consumption 01:19:06 - 01:28:04 - A sneak peek into Ben’s daily routine and habits 01:28:04 - 01:29:05 - Concluding the episode
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth. We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Monday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career. This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: @sparxbymukeshbansal Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com
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