What Is BioHacking? | Women’s Health

Nov 21, 2023

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Before I go further you should know, I’ve despised the word “hacking” for a long time. For me it seemed like code for shortcut, cheat, and quick fix. And a decade ago I think that was true. But I know better and the biohacking we’re talking about here is very different. It’s not cheating the system but rather getting a bonus. If you lift weights and can’t lift heavy, the use of a whole body vibration tool may give you a bonus benefit of bone density you can’t get otherwise. If you can lift heavy, I for one am using it for the icing on the cake it can be.

Biohacking is a term used to describe various tips and tricks for enhancing the body’s ability to function at peak performance—and maybe even extend one’s lifespan. But it’s not just aging, it’s health. How to trick your body into, or back into its natural state of optimal health. You were born with it.

It’s science-based and it’s individual.

Though if you read this line from Peter Attia’s book, you might think bio-hacking is psuedoscience at best:

This is not “biohacking,” it’s science: a well-founded strategic and tactical approach to extending lifespan while also improving our physical, cognitive, and emotional health.

Dave Asprey’s description in an article in Men’s Health:

“...the use of science, biology, and self-experimentation to take control of and upgrade your body, your mind and your life…”

What Qualifies as Biohacking [You Might Already be Doing]

While certain modalities of biohacking may seem extreme, forms like meditation and intermittent fasting are fairly commonplace and time tested, with extensive research supporting their use. What’s new, however, is the movement behind this overall quest for better biological function no matter how old (or young you are).

Not an all-inclusive list but things like:

Lumen
CGM monitors
Infrared Saunas
Ice Baths

…are making their way into more homes for regular use. Are these methods of bio-hacking or simply application of new science allowing us to see what used to be invisible? I think we have to concede that in most if not many cases biohacking is science… and much like menopause fitness, there’s only so much of it out there. We’re forced to combine exercise physiology + menopause physiology where there are gaps and clear results a woman doesn’t feel good or muscle and bone losses are occurring in spite of following guidelines and position statements, for upgraded exercise prescriptions

[exactly why Flipping50 was born 10 years ago and exists today].

Many, maybe you listener, doubt the accuracy of trackers. Isn’t it interesting? When we don’t stop using them despite learning that seed oils and processed foods contribute to poor health but continue to buy and eat them, not only not questioning the science, but ignoring it…

We humans are complicated at best.

We question if we should use PowerPlate or if a Smart Scale tells us the correct body composition, failing to see that benefits still outweigh accuracy.

Asking, What is BioHacking Only Skims the Surface!

There is biohacking of different types.

Lifestyle - nutrition, exercise, meditation
Biology Shifts - Supplements
Biologics - non-medical IV therapies and medical Stem Cell injections
Technology - CGMs, wearable tracking devices for HRV

What is Age-Related Biohacking?

Age-related biohacking examples include:

Red light therapy
Stem cell therapy
Cryotherapy
The consumption of anti-aging and mitochondrial support supplements like those containing coenzyme Q10, polyphenols, L-carnitine and Urolithin A

What is Sleep Biohacking?

Sleep trackers
Blue light blocking
Magnesium
Melatonin
Meditation

For support with sleep, grab my Sleep Yourself Skinny eguide.

What is Nutrition Biohacking?

Intermittent fasting
Pre and Probiotics
Understanding and avoiding inflammatory foods

If you’re not familiar with an elimination diet that helps you personally test foods, learn more here.

What is Physical Health Biohacking ?

A recent study in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found participating in a single high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout can also boost brain neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire or modify its neural connections) within 20 minutes of the session. So it’s not just physical or fat burning, it’s your brain benefitting. There’s also as I’ve shared a feeling of mastery and accomplishment that many women report about HIIT.

Other ways to support Physical biohacking: