In the future, many will be thinking of old age as a disease to which biohacking remedy might be applied. Gene editing could, in theory delay or reverse aging, in principle by repair at the cellular molecular level.
Cellular Regeneration and Senescence
Cellular senescence is a point where time injures cells to such an extent that they lose functionality. Biohackers seek to use methods like regenerative medicine to help the body rejuvenate itself. One of the most common methods includes stem cell therapy. Many biohackers fast or practice intermittent fasting to help the body naturally refresh and create new, healthy cells.
Other approaches still under consideration include killing senescent cells, otherwise sometimes referred to as “zombie cells”-another driver of aging. Clinical trials began testing drugs known as senolytics. They seek to sweep damaged cells out of the body in hopes of staving off diseases of aging.
Repair and Extension of Telomeres
Each chromosome has an end cap which protects it – called a telomere and prevents the deterioration of that chromosome. The telomeres have been shortening in each division that eventually cause the death of the cell down the process. The scientists had linked this to aging and the diseases related to aging. Then, they learned they could extend the telomeres to expand the life of the cells.
Some dietary supplements, including TA-65, supposedly activate an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase can repair or lengthen telomeres. The controversial procedure may delay cellular aging since it sustains cellular health and the length of the telomeres.
Nutraceuticals: Longevity Diet and Supplements
Biohacking for longevity with diet and supplements is way easier and much cheaper than treatments involving major genetic changes. More people try substances that could help with longevity. These include metformin, a drug for diabetes that is now being studied for anti-aging, resveratrol, an antioxidant, and precursors to NAD+, a coenzyme important for cellular energy.
Biohackers also attempt to push the body into a state of ketosis through ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting. These methods are good for weight loss and are said to trigger autophagy. Autophagy is when your body cleans out damaged cells and replaces them with healthy ones.
Data-Driven Health and Wearable Technology
It is all about quantification in the world of biohacking. Wearable technology rightly plays an important role in biohacking to be better and stay well. You need to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep cycles, and body temperature from time to time. Wearable devices like Fitbits, Oura Rings, or Whoop Straps can track these. Biohackers could finally make good choices regarding those major areas in life: managing stress, sleep, exercise, and diet.
Biohackers track and then analyze health data. In that way, it helps them to understand what works for their bodies. They can make specific lifestyle changes based on that information. The more precise and personalized the approach, the better the chances of improving long-term health and extending life expectancy.
Moral issues of Biohacking and its Dangers
With any new field, there is a set of possible perils and moral dilemmas in the case of biohacking too. Although the idea of extending human life sounds appealing, people are concerned about how changes to human biology will affect future generations. For example, genetic tampering, if limited to certain groups, could lead to unexpected differences and many side effects.
It’s self-sufficient; people often try things independently, without supervision, which can get dangerous to health. Probably, living more and healthier sounds cool, but one should be very careful there. Use only scientifically substantiated methods while biohacking.
Future of Biohacking and Longevity
Biohacking promises so much. It promises improved quality and quantity of life. What we’re doing is just beginning to understand the biology of longevity. It might not give a clear idea of how aging in humans can be stopped, or even how it could be done. This new knowledge could change fundamentally how we think about our bodies, our health, and the future. Who knows what the future holds in regard to longevity and biohacking? In a few decades, we will probably look back at these times. We may see some things we think are science fiction now as the start of a big change in human health. At the very least, it’s an exciting time to be alive and witness the development of life extension science.
Longevity is only just getting started, so stay tuned and keep improving your health!