[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":168},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-the-current-state-and-future-of-biohacking":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":166,"relatedBooks":167},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":32,"project_category":36,"contact_email_category":37,"yst_prominent_words":38,"class_list":47,"better_featured_image":58,"acf":102,"yoast_meta":110,"_links":113},54811,"2025-05-19T08:59:04","2025-05-19T06:59:04",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=54811&_wpnonce=35c1a3db04&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-05-19T08:59:08","2025-05-19T06:59:08","the-current-state-and-future-of-biohacking","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-current-state-and-future-of-biohacking",{"rendered":17},"The Current State And Future Of Biohacking",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>For years at The Medical Futurist, we’ve covered countless digital health devices and technologies, and how they can empower patients in the digital health age. These share the common feature of augmenting the patient experience, and such augmentations can be taken to the next level via biohacking. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this article, we’ll introduce the biohacking concept, illustrate it with examples of biohackers (you might be one already!) and contemplate its impact on the future of digital health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is biohacking?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the term itself suggests, “biohacking” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pbs.org\u002Fnewshour\u002Fscience\u002Fbiohacking-care\" target=\"_blank\">generally refers to\u003C\u002Fa> the act of hacking or modifying biological systems outside of traditional academic or laboratory settings, and one who practises such an act is called a “biohacker”. It has also been \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pbs.org\u002Fnewshour\u002Fscience\u002Fbiohacking-care\" target=\"_blank\">used interchangeably\u003C\u002Fa> with terms such as “citizen biology” and “do-it-your-self biology” that bring the hacking and tinkering ethic to biology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of medicine\" class=\"wp-image-25145\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F117_20-potential-technological-advances-in-the-future-of-medicine2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Biohacking has led to a whole movement, which gained popularity \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theatlantic.com\u002Fhealth\u002Farchive\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Ftop-biohacks\u002F584584\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over the past decade\u003C\u002Fa>. Some adherents to this movement even liken it to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com\u002Farticles\u002Fbiohacking#types\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an alternate or even revolutionary version of science\u003C\u002Fa> that is not constrained by traditional gatekeeping measures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Biohacking can apply to human biology with the aim to improve one’s well-being as well as non-human biology such as manipulating plant genes to alternate their growth. For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on human biohacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Levels of biohacking\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Based on its definition alone, there’s a whole spectrum to biohacking. On one end of the spectrum, simply drinking coffee or a caffeinated drink could be considered as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com\u002Farticles\u002Fbiohacking#Biohacks-to-try\" target=\"_blank\">a form of biohacking\u003C\u002Fa> as caffeine can influence your biology to improve alertness and focus. At the other end, there are biohackers with devices inserted under their skin to give them new “abilities” such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-46442519\" target=\"_blank\">detecting the North\u003C\u002Fa>. For simplicity, we can consider three levels of biohacking across the spectrum from least to most invasive, while keeping in mind that there are overlaps. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Lifestyle hacks\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This level represents the most accessible biohacks, and you could already be a lifestyle biohacker. By taking supplements, working out, and\u002For meditation, you are aiming to improve your health; and by extension, modifying your internal systems. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“I am a strong believer in the fact that the best biohacks are free,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cosmopolitan.com\u002Fuk\u002Fbody\u002Fhealth\u002Fa44998145\u002Fbiohacking-explained\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says Tim Gray\u003C\u002Fa>, a prominent UK biohacker. “[…] honestly, you can get 80% there with just a small time and financial investment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51515\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_373.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can further supplement lifestyle modifications with wearables and personal diagnostic devices. Through such technologies, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fwellness\u002Fbiohacking\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biohacking involves\u003C\u002Fa> the use of the data gathered to make informed decisions and adjustments to improve your health and performance. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Biological modifications\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For more invasive manoeuvres to modify our bodies, we are looking at biological modifications. These range from ingested pills such as supplements or nootropics (cognitive enhancers) to stem cells and at-home \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-state-of-crispr-clinical-trials-and-their-future-potentials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRISPR\u003C\u002Fa> injections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Part of the daily routine of YouTube sensation and biohacker Bryan Johnson, who wants to live forever, involves taking \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fsociety\u002F2023\u002Fsep\u002F14\u002Fmy-ultimate-goal-dont-die-bryan-johnson-on-his-controversial-plan-to-live-for-ever\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 100 pills\u003C\u002Fa>. He has also experimented with plasma transfusion with his son, although he has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fsociety\u002F2023\u002Fsep\u002F14\u002Fmy-ultimate-goal-dont-die-bryan-johnson-on-his-controversial-plan-to-live-for-ever\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">given up on this approach\u003C\u002Fa> due to a lack of results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The US tech millionaire trying to reverse his age - BBC News\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FD77XPfUxaNs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Grinders\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Going one step further are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Facademic.oup.com\u002Fjlb\u002Farticle\u002F4\u002F3\u002F658\u002F4820754\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">grinders\u003C\u002Fa>, biohackers who tend to undertake extreme body modifications through technological means. This level of biohacking has some overlap with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3-things-transhumanism-can-give-to-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transhumanism\u003C\u002Fa> as grinders consider themselves at the forefront of human augmentation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>US-based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-46442519\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biohacker Rich Lee\u003C\u002Fa> can be termed as a grinder. He not only has NFC chips implanted in his fingers to perform tasks such as unlocking doors but also has a biotherm chip in his forearm to monitor his body temperature and headphone implants in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regulations and future considerations of biohacking\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Injecting oneself with CRISPR-modified genetic material and inserting chips in one’s fingers might not sound attractive, or even safe to everyone, and some DIY-biohacks might not be so. In Rich Lee’s case, while he has some successful stories, he also has unsuccessful ones to share such as badly implanted shin guards that had to be removed, leaving scars on his legs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Regulation around human biohacking is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com\u002Farticles\u002Fbiohacking#does-it-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">currently limited\u003C\u002Fa>; and given the DIY and unreported nature of the processes, the success rates and accuracy of biohacks are hard to gauge. Nevertheless, some countries have started taking some regulatory measures. Most EU Member States require biohackers to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.law.kuleuven.be\u002Fcitip\u002Fblog\u002Fburning-down-the-house-talking-biohackers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have a licence\u003C\u002Fa> to carry out experiments; and in states such as Germany, infringement can lead to imprisonment. In the US, some biohacking activities are illegal such as agrobacterium-engineered plants and soil bacteria cultures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-768x432.png\" alt=\"gene editing, CRISPR, DNA\" class=\"wp-image-54001\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing.png 1520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a relatively niche field, the biohacking movement is still evolving. “What we see today are the first steps by a brave group of pioneers,” Luke Robert Mason, director of the Virtual Futures organisation, told the BBC. “Today’s reality is a lot more experimental (and painful) than is often communicated to the public.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“There is a lot that can be learned from the outcome of their self-experimentation,” Mason added. “Some have even argued that biohackers might increasingly be responsible in helping the advancement of wearables and wellness technologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, while wearable devices for monitoring one’s health and fitness would have been within the realm of biohacking grinders a few decades ago, they are now considered as common tools of daily life. The tinkering of today’s biohackers could thus lead to influencing the digital health landscape of the future. For example, with proper regulations and guardrails, implantable wearables to become more commonplace in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But before attempting invasive biohacks on your own, it would be recommended to consult with a healthcare professional. Considering that even biohacking your metabolism with caffeine can have side effects such as increased blood pressure and headaches, it would be recommended to discuss with an expert before performing more sophisticated types of biohacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Biohacking spans from lifestyle changes to extreme body modifications, challenging traditional science while influencing future health technologies and regulatory considerations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,54857,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31],7079,[33,34,35],6519,7899,7901,[],[],[39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46],2017,3347,4295,5565,1571,1617,1681,1721,[48,14,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57],"post-54811","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","tag-implants","tag-biohacking","tag-grinders",{"id":24,"alt_text":59,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":60,"media_details":61,"post":5,"source_url":101},"biohacking","image",{"width":62,"height":63,"file":64,"filesize":65,"sizes":66,"image_meta":98},6667,3750,"2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400.png",1648918,{"medium":67,"large":74,"thumbnail":80,"medium_large":85,"1536x1536":86,"2048x2048":92},{"file":68,"width":69,"height":70,"mime-type":71,"filesize":72,"source_url":73},"tmf_article_400-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng",53157,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400-370x208.png",{"file":75,"width":76,"height":77,"mime-type":71,"filesize":78,"source_url":79},"tmf_article_400-768x432.png",768,432,154815,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400-768x432.png",{"file":81,"width":82,"height":82,"mime-type":71,"filesize":83,"source_url":84},"tmf_article_400-150x150.png",150,18070,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400-150x150.png",{"file":75,"width":76,"height":77,"mime-type":71,"filesize":78,"source_url":79},{"file":87,"width":88,"height":89,"mime-type":71,"filesize":90,"source_url":91},"tmf_article_400-1536x864.png",1536,864,364435,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400-1536x864.png",{"file":93,"width":94,"height":95,"mime-type":71,"filesize":96,"source_url":97},"tmf_article_400-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,513760,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":99,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":99,"copyright":27,"focal_length":99,"iso":99,"shutter_speed":99,"title":27,"orientation":99,"keywords":100},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_400.png",{"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"key_takeaways":103,"related_books":20,"related_posts_footer":20,"related_posts":20},[104,106,108],{"title":105},"\u003Cp>Biohacking encompasses a broad spectrum of practices from simple lifestyle modifications to extreme body modifications, aiming to enhance well-being and abilities beyond traditional methods\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":107},"\u003Cp>The biohacking movement not only challenges conventional science and medical practices with its do-it-yourself approach but also aids traditional science in identifying areas where additional efforts are worthwhile and areas where they are not, thus potentially shaping the future of scientific exploration and healthcare innovations\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":109},"\u003Cp>Despite the potential for innovation and personal improvement, biohacking faces regulatory and safety challenges, underscoring the need for careful consideration\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":111,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":112,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"The Current State And Future Of Biohacking - The Medical Futurist","Biohacking spans from lifestyle changes to extreme body modifications, challenging traditional science while influencing future health tech and regulations.",{"self":114,"collection":120,"about":123,"author":126,"replies":129,"version-history":132,"predecessor-version":136,"wp:featuredmedia":140,"wp:attachment":143,"wp:term":146,"curies":162},[115],{"href":116,"targetHints":117},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F54811",{"allow":118},[119],"GET",[121],{"href":122},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[124],{"href":125},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[127],{"embeddable":26,"href":128},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[130],{"embeddable":26,"href":131},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=54811",[133],{"count":134,"href":135},9,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F54811\u002Frevisions",[137],{"id":138,"href":139},54869,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F54811\u002Frevisions\u002F54869",[141],{"embeddable":26,"href":142},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F54857",[144],{"href":145},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=54811",[147,150,153,156,159],{"taxonomy":148,"embeddable":26,"href":149},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=54811",{"taxonomy":151,"embeddable":26,"href":152},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=54811",{"taxonomy":154,"embeddable":26,"href":155},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=54811",{"taxonomy":157,"embeddable":26,"href":158},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=54811",{"taxonomy":160,"embeddable":26,"href":161},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=54811",[163],{"name":164,"href":165,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[],[],1788949121367]