What is biohacking?

In the following paragraphs we will try to elucidate the most accurate and scientific meaning of this neologism, Biohacking. In addition, we will try to make an approach that allows us to provide more useful tools when it comes to understanding this phenomenon that is growing worldwide by leaps and bounds.

Bearing in mind that strictly scientific information on this topic is extremely limited – if not non-existent – we will make every effort to maintain a line of information as close as possible to our standards of scientific rigor.

Life extension in a DIY way

The term biohacking has gained increasing notoriety in recent years, particularly within communities dedicated to wellness, longevity, and human performance optimization.

The word biohacking began to become popular in early 2008 when an online discussion forum was launched that included a handful of members. In May of that same year, just over fifty people gathered for their first meeting in a bar in the city of Boston. In 2020, the discussion forum had more than 5000 members. Over the years, technology has perfected a field of action that promises extraordinary results if it is used consciously and consistently. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120206

Conceived as a form of self-improvement of the organism through biological modifications, biohacking combines knowledge from various fields, such as biology, philosophy, state-of-the-art technology and health sciences to actively intervene in the physiological processes of the body in order to optimize them. The purpose of this phenomenon can take different directions according to the idea of the biohacker in question. Let’s remember that it is an individual practice. All the objectives coincide in common points that are:

• Increased longevity
• Improving Health and Aging
• the fight against diseases

A very important point is that they are caused by the passage of time.

This approach of self-generated modifications by the interested subject can encompass many changes. From changes in diet, practice of exercises (from traditional to others that include very sophisticated techniques) to the implementation and implementation of advanced technology and genetic modification.

What is biohacking for?

Biohacking, in its essence, seeks, as we have mentioned above, improve human health and performance. Often with the goal of extending longevity, preventing disease, and improving quality of life. However, it is a highly varied field that can include approaches ranging from the relatively conventional, such as nutritional supplementation – which is the topic we are interested in at Salengei – to the more experimental or even controversial such as gene editing or the use of technological implants in the body. That is why to understand biohacking, it is crucial to understand some biological and technological concepts that form the basis of many of its practices.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis, as we know, is a key principle in biology, and refers to the ability of the organism to maintain a stable internal state despite fluctuations in the external environment. Seeking and maintaining this balance is essential for the survival and health of the body. This is where biohacking seeks, in many cases, to intervene in the body’s homeostatic mechanisms to achieve an improved state of functioning, for example, by optimizing the production of neurotransmitters, stimulating the synthesis of proteins associated with longevity or improving insulin sensitivity, just to name a few.

Biological plasticity

Biological plasticity refers to the ability of the organism to adapt to changes in its environment. This plasticity is evident in systems such as the brain (neuronal plasticity) or muscles (hypertrophy). Biohacking exploits this plasticity to induce desired changes through modification of the internal or external environment.

Technology

The integration of technology is another cornerstone of biohacking. Biomonitoring through devices such as smart watches, tracking rings or sensors of all kinds, allows biohackers to collect real-time data on their basic physiological parameters, such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, and blood glucose levels. This data is used to make personalized adjustments to diet, exercise, and other aspects of lifestyle.

In addition, the implantation of technological devices in the body, also known as grinding, is a practice within biohacking that seeks to extend human capabilities beyond natural limitations. This can include everything from subcutaneous magnetic implants that allow electromagnetic fields to be felt to RFID chips that facilitate access to electronic devices without the need for any other physical mediator. This practice, unthinkable until recently, blurs the boundary between human beings and digital cybernetic organisms or cyborgs.

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03931

Due to the complexity and intertwining of various fields involved in these practices, we will develop some ideas separately.

Using tools from epigenetics

One of the fields where biohacking has advanced the most is in epigenetics. Epigenetics studies how external factors can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Through epigenetic manipulation, it is possible to turn certain genes on or off, which can have a significant impact on health and longevity. Practices such as calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and certain supplements can influence, for example, DNA methylation, thereby affecting gene expression in a way that promotes longevity and disease prevention. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357034X231218413

Some substances have very interesting properties that could open a new horizon in the extension of life and the improvement of health.

Widespread use of CRISPR begins

Genetic modification goes a step further and here we are talking about direct changes in the DNA sequence. What used to only be read or seen in science fiction novels or films, is now possible. The most interesting thing is that it is within the reach of almost everyone and for incredibly affordable costs.

Technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 have made gene editing possible with unprecedented precision. Although it is still a largely experimental practice and subject to intense ethical debates, some biohackers have begun to explore the possibility of using gene editing to prevent inherited diseases or even improve physical and cognitive traits. https://doi.org/10.1038/524398a

Since the first demonstration of CRISPR-based gene editing, the field has evolved at an unprecedented rate. The capabilities of first-generation DSB-dependent genomic editors based on Cas9 and Cas12a nucleases. They have improved, thanks to continuous innovations, which have not only increased the versatility of these tools, but have also refined their accuracy and minimized the consequences of unwanted editing.

CRISPR in therapeutic correction strategies

The last decade of CRISPR genome editing has culminated in the development of a multitude of therapeutic approaches for genetic diseases. Several of which have gone from preclinical studies in animal and cell models to clinical trials in humans. This includes both in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic correction strategies. In vivo therapeutic correction approaches involve the delivery of gene-editing components to affected tissues within the human body, a field that is exploited by biohacking. Among the diseases where these techniques can (or could) be applied are Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Leber congenital amaurosis type 10, a retinal dystrophy caused by pathogenic mutations in the CEP290 gene. There are also success stories in transthyretin amyloidosis. This is a disease caused by the harmful buildup of misfolded TTR in the heart or nervous system. As TTR occurs predominantly in the liver, an effective therapeutic strategy for TTR amyloidosis has used LNP-mediated administration of synthetic Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA to inactivate this gene in the liver. 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.042

Types of biohacking

There are different approaches within biohacking, each with its own methods and goals. Some of the most common are described below.

Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is the study of how food interacts with our genes to affect health. Biohackers use this knowledge to design personalized diets. Diets that maximize the expression of beneficial genes and minimize the effects of genes associated with disease. For example, certain diets may be designed to reduce chronic inflammation, a risk factor for numerous diseases. Others are aimed at reducing the amount of calories ingested, in order to activate proteins such as Sirt1 and Sirt2, which are widely studied and could extend the lifespan of some organisms.

CRISPR in therapeutic correction strategies

Food supplements

Supplementation is another core area of biohacking (and what we care about a lot at Salengei). Biohackers typically employ a variety of food supplements. From conventional ones such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, to more advanced compounds such as nootropics (substances that improve cognitive function), adaptogens (plants that help the body adapt to stress) and peptides (short chains of amino acids that can influence cell signaling).

Timely rest

Sleep is another crucial aspect of health that biohackers seek to optimize. Practices can include anything from adjusting the sleep environment (such as temperature and exposure to blue light) to supplementing with melatonin, magnesium, or GABA to improve sleep quality. In addition, some biohackers employ techniques such as controlled sleep deprivation or polyphasic sleep cycles to study how modifying sleep patterns can influence productivity and physical recovery.

Physical exercise

Perhaps in physical training is where we can appreciate the maximum expression where biohackers seek to optimize results. Here they use everything from conventional methods such as resistance training and muscle hypertrophy to more advanced techniques such as muscle electrostimulation, which uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contraction, thus increasing the efficiency of the training. Simulated altitude training is another technique that seeks to improve aerobic capacity by simulating low oxygen pressure conditions. Also the consumption of food supplements that contribute to strengthening muscles and post-sport recovery.

Mental health

Cognitive biohacking seeks to improve brain function and mental health. Methods may include:

• The use of nootropics
• Guided meditation
• brain stimulation through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices
• the practice of techniques such as neurofeedback, which trains the brain to self-regulate its own brain waves.
• techniques such as sensory deprivation* and microdosing psychedelics to improve creativity and cognitive function.

Risks and ethical considerations

While biohacking offers the potential for great benefits, it also presents significant risks, both in terms of health and ethics. Many of the most advanced approaches, such as genetic modification or the implantation of technological devices, are still experimental and not without complications. The lack of regulation in some aspects of biohacking also raises concerns about the safety of these practices.

From an ethical point of view, biohacking raises important questions about human nature and the limits of technological intervention, a field where philosophy also contributes its point of view. The possibility of editing genes to improve certain traits or implementing technology that augments human capabilities poses challenges about equity, informed consent, and the long-term implications of such modifications.

In terms of regulation and legislation, many biohacking practices are not yet fully regulated. There is a great deal of uncertainty about the legal implications of these interventions. Laws around genetic modification, for example, vary widely between different countries. The implantation of medical or technological devices may require approval from regulatory agencies such as the FDA in the United States or the EMA in Europe.

In addition, the possibility of using biohacking to improve human capabilities raises the debate on technological discrimination. If certain technologies or interventions are only available to those with the financial resources to access them, this could exacerbate existing inequalities in society.

At Salengei we are committed to responsible practices, proven through scientific studies and with the endorsement of our technical team, led by Dr. Gloria Sabater, who is in charge of personally and meticulously supervising all the products and programs suggested in our store and website.

Conclusion

Biohacking is a practice that represents an exciting frontier that is still in its infancy. Still, it has come to surprise us in a way that makes it seem like we are living in the very future.

At the moment it is at a crossroads where science, technology and ethics converge. As technologies advance and become more accessible, we are likely to see a proliferation of biohacking practices in both general wellness contexts and clinical applications. Emerging areas such as synthetic biology and artificial intelligence have the potential to further transform the field, enabling an unprecedented degree of personalization and control over biological processes.

However, for biohacking to realize its full potential, a balanced approach that considers not only the individual benefits, but also the social and ethical implications of modifying human biology in such profound ways will be crucial.

In a future installment of our Salengei blog, we will delve into the topic of nutritional supplements to approach what we understand by biochacking in a safe and preventive way.