Is biohacking a breakthrough or a buzzword?
The search for longevity and a better life has taken up much of my time in the wellness field. Informed people are turning to biohacking (also known as do-it-yourself biology) to optimize physical and mental health through technology, medicine, and science.
If you’re just starting out, the term itself can seem like a difficult subject. emirates man Dr. Frank Lipman, a functional and integrative medicine expert at Wells, a Dubai-based holistic wellness hub on Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, talks about biohacking and how it works. We asked experts to share everything we need to know about how it works and what you can do about it. for you.
What is your morning routine or non-negotiable practice for the first 30 minutes of your day?
I try to meditate for 20 minutes first thing in the morning. Then I exercise most days, whether it’s weight training, riding my bike, or going for a long walk. I usually only drink black coffee throughout the day and eat my first meal around noon.
Biohacking is the use of science, technology, nutrition, and lifestyle to optimize health. This is a very loose term, but what exactly does it mean and is it a good idea?
Doing biology yourself is also called “biohacking.” Biohacking is basically finding smart solutions and shortcuts, focusing on smart strategies to improve health, wellness, and ultimately longevity. When I talk about biohacking, I’m talking about applying safe and wise practices, based on the latest discoveries from the worlds of biology, nutrition, and neuroscience, to improve your physical and mental health today and for decades to come. to support and improve physical performance. You may also need a device, depending on your needs and goals. It’s not something you wear on your body (like a smartwatch or pedometer), but something you wear inside.
“For the rest of us, biohacking is about taking an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach to health and longevity as efficiently and safely as possible.”
What are the driving forces that played a pivotal role in the growth of the biohacking movement?
The basic idea of biohacking began when Silicon Valley enthusiast types and amateur DIY biologists began searching for ways to gain more active control over their biology, energy levels, and physical and mental performance. It’s been smoldering since the early 2000s. And while some people on the fringes of biohacking culture embrace philosophies that go far beyond what most of us would consider rational, for example Take for example the California biohacker who holds the world record, but for the rest of us, biohacking is an interdisciplinary, evidence-based, and effective way to improve health and longevity, as efficiently and safely as possible. It is important to take an approach. It’s also worth mentioning that you’re probably already doing quite a bit of biohacking, whether you realize it or not, by eating better, sleeping more, staying hydrated, and taking supplements. However, as technology advances, biohacking has expanded to include the use of many tools and gadgets. Continuous blood sugar monitors, fitness wearables, and rings that measure sleep are helping people track their health and make data-driven decisions. Since last year, biohacking has grown from a niche interest to a mainstream trend. Ordinary individuals are becoming more focused on optimizing both cognitive and physical performance through biohacking techniques, and customization comes with its own risks and unknowns, while one-size-fits-all It is no exaggeration to say that it is preferable to something that is simple or one-size-fits-all. One product solution-based strategy. The people most interested in biohacking have significant disposable income. While some people pay high prices to prevent their biological clocks from aging, biohacking devices and principles, such as smart beds that monitor sleep patterns and air purification systems designed to improve indoor air quality, are emerging. Some people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing them throughout their homes. Individuals who can’t afford to spend $1 million on anti-aging treatments are also joining the bandwagon. Nutritional supplements, blue light-blocking glasses, and glasses designed to reduce eye strain from screen time have all become staples of biohacking since their work-from-home-inspired explosion.
“…You’ve probably already done quite a bit of biohacking, whether you realize it or not, by eating better, getting more sleep, staying hydrated, and taking supplements. ”
What are the biggest misconceptions surrounding it, or red flags to be aware of?
There are several myths and misinformation surrounding the biohacking wellness fad, including:
• Biohacking works for everyone: In general, biohacking can directly affect the body, although in different ways. So just because a biohack works for your friends doesn’t mean it will work for you. Please keep in mind that biohacking is very personal and unique.
• The information on the internet is correct. Although the Internet is one of the best sources of information available to everyone today, it is not always wise to believe everything you read or see on the Internet. You may need to consult various sources to obtain the information you need to begin your biohacking journey.
Biohacking has various benefits. Certain forms are easy to perform at home and can be reversed if something goes wrong. Experimenting on yourself without taking proper precautions can lead to unexpected difficulties and negative consequences. If you stick to research-validated lifestyle changes, especially those tailored to your specific genetic and metabolic combination, you should be fine. The same is true for most wearable devices, as long as the measurements are accurate and cross-validated with professional equipment. However, all types of implants can be harmful, especially if performed without proper medical supervision. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor before engaging in biohacking techniques.
What are the most accessible biohacking practices and their benefits, and which ones have you practiced in your life?
Some of my active and accessible biohacking practices include:
• nootropic supplements: Nootropics, known as smart drugs or cognitive enhancers, are a group of substances that can improve learning and memory. These substances include caffeine, dietary supplements, herbal medicines, peptides, and in some cases prescription drugs.
Image: Instagram @thenueco_
• To meditation: Biohackers may practice various types of meditation with the goal of relaxing the mind and improving overall health. Therapeutic techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, and transcendental meditation have been proven to improve health. These health benefits include improved sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and a more positive mood.
• don’t eat for 24 hours: Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a simple and highly effective metabolism-boosting hack that anyone can do. Extending your natural fast between dinner and breakfast encourages your body to make the most of what you eat, resulting in lower blood sugar and insulin levels, less fat storage, and lower inflammation. will be reduced. All these will have a wonderful effect on your life. and health period. Start with 12 hours and work your way up to 16 hours between your last and first meal of the day, three to four days a week.
Image: Provided by Wellth
What are the most common problems you see with clients today in men (inside and outside the region) that can be solved with the biohacking treatments available at Wealth?
One of the most common problems in men is low levels of testosterone and its effects. Low energy, low sex drive, mild depression, muscle loss, and increased belly fat. So getting a comprehensive blood analysis like we do at Wells (probably one of his most important biohacks) will give you evidence about your current state of health and what’s causing you to not feel as good as you used to. This will reveal any possible contributing factors or deficiencies. I like it. I am in my late 40’s to 50’s feeling like a “new” man after undergoing counseling, getting blood test results, changing my diet accordingly, and giving some supplements and often testosterone replacement. I’ve seen too many men in the first half.
Please tell me more about Dr. Frank Lippman’s method.
Dr. Frank Lipman’s method is to listen, measure, intervene, and monitor.
This means taking a thorough medical history and conducting extensive biomarker testing to provide a detailed analysis of someone’s health status. We then design a personal action plan to support longevity using dietary and lifestyle interventions, supplements, peptides, hormones, medications, and sometimes more innovative longevity tools as needed. . I then closely monitor the effectiveness of someone’s program, making upgrades and adjustments as needed, and guiding my clients toward their longevity goals.
What does a “better self” mean to you?
A “better you” is a happy, optimized, and well-functioning you, full of energy and optimism, with little aches, pains, and dysfunction, regardless of age. Their weight is stable, they exercise frequently, sleep well, manage stress, have healthy relationships at home and at work, and are kind to themselves and others.
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