Biohacking for Athletes – Can You “Program” Your Body?

What is biohacking?

The dynamic development of life sciences and technology has led us to increasingly view the human mind as a computer and the body as a system controlled by that computer. And since the body can be compared to a system, the question arises: can it be “programmed” or “hacked” so that it works more efficiently, according to our expectations? To a large extent, this is the underlying principle of the general concept of biohacking.

Although the concept sounds futuristic and seems strongly related to science, biohacking still has no uniform definition and is usually based on trial-and-error observations. In practice, it combines elements of documented effectiveness with new, not necessarily proven ideas drawn from a wide variety of sources. All this serves one purpose: to increase the efficiency of our “biological machinery” and achieve even better results. It sounds promising – but does it really work?

Small steps, big results – is it possible?

Even before biohacking became a popular trend, the concept of marginal gains had been known in the sports world. Its premise was simple – even minimal, one-percent gains made in various areas can, in the long run, lead to great successes. The idea of marginal gains is associated with the spectacular successes of the British Cycling and Team Sky cycling groups led by Dave Brailsford. Unfortunately, in addition to its impressive achievements, the concept also has a darker side – it required gigantic investments in new technologies in sports, balancing on the edge of ethics and anti-doping regulations, and relying on questionable practices with unproven effectiveness.

Today, the concept of marginal gains has lost its relevance. Mainly because even amateur sports go professional rather quickly, and we have increasing access to knowledge, training centres, equipment and new technologies that make it easier for us to achieve our training goals. What was once an innovation is now considered standard. However, our approach to our bodies has changed – increasingly it is not just about sports performance, but about holistic improvement of our physical and mental well-being.

This is where biohacking comes into play, promising not only better health and fitness, but also a fitter mind and a life in line with our expectations. It is a kind of “playing with codes” that we create and test on ourselves – because self-reliance, individualism and agency are an extremely important part of this approach. Let us take a closer look at it and see what is behind it.

Facts, myths and risks

Looking for information on biohacking, it is easy to see that many “revolutionary tricks” are based on the principles of healthy lifestyle and physical activity. Often it is not the content itself, but the way it is presented that makes them seem more innovative than they actually are. This leads us to the following observations:

• The diet relies on natural, unprocessed ingredients. It is often combined with popular trends such as intermittent fasting, eliminating certain types of foods or macronutrients from the diet, consuming superfoods or using specific supplementation.
• Physical activity – one that can be optimised in terms of time and effort. HIIT workouts, holistic training or animal flow are gaining popularity. They are often accompanied by technological innovations, such as EMS training and supplementation to aid recovery and performance.
• Rest should also be optimised and based on certain routines. Regular and quality sleep, control of exposure to blue light and ambient temperature are important. This is also where supplementation comes in as a way to improve recovery.
• Wellness includes a variety of treatments and techniques that work on our bodies and minds: hardening, ice swimming, sauna, salt cave, oxygen therapy, meditation, aromatherapy, or even a selection of appropriate music. It is important to find what works for the given person.

Sounds familiar? After all, these are the basics of a healthy lifestyle. For those starting out, physical activity can bring quick results and improved quality of life. Biohacking, while fascinating, has also become an extremely effective tool for selling a variety of products and services that are not always needed. Many times it offers “trial” solutions, encouraging people to experiment on their own bodies, when a more effective alternative would be to consult a specialist. A dietitian, trainer, sports medicine doctor and physiotherapist are knowledgeable and can offer to create a customised plan, eliminating the risk of using methods with unproven effectiveness.

It also happens that the term biohacking hides pseudo-scientific theories, such as the claim that the food we eat can modify our genetic information. Some representatives of this trend promote medical procedures, such as implants, to supposedly “overcome” biological limitations of the body. You can also come across examples of psychological manipulation. That is why it is a good idea to approach biohacking cautiously, using scientifically proven methods and avoiding blindly following trends.

Can you also become a biohacker?

It can be said that anyone who has embarked on the path of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle has a biohacker in them. After all, any type of physical activity modifies the functioning of our body and mind, which translates into the quality of our lives. However, it is important to keep in mind your starting point and what you are aiming for. There is nothing wrong with being interested in news at the intersection of health and new technologies, but it is worth remembering that there are no miracle methods that will instantly allow you to achieve all your goals.

However, if you do decide to go a step further and try out new training, diet or supplementation methods, keep two rules in mind:

1. Always check the sources of information. Don’t trust theories that have not been verified.
2. Consult your decisions with specialists. A dietitian, trainer or doctor can help you choose methods that will be safe and effective in your case.

Remember that even the most effective ways to live better are not necessarily suitable for everyone, and used improperly, they can prove dangerous to your health!

^References:

1. ^{Shinde S., Meller-Herbert O., Biohacking, Anaesthesia, 2017.}
2. ^{Yetisen A. K., Biohacking, Trends in Biotechnology, 2018.}
3. ^{Gangadharbatla H., Biohacking: An exploratory study to understand the factors influencing the adoption of embedded technologies within the human body, Heliyon, 2020.}
4. ^{https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/oct/20/marginal-gains-tarnished-bradley-wiggins-dave-brailsford}
5. ^{https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Truth-About-Biohacking.aspx}
6. ^{https://www.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/focus-on-biohacking}
7. ^{https://akademiabioetyki.pl/bioetyka/prof-anna-bugajska-nie-da-sie-zhakowac-ciala-a-mit-o-super-czlowieku-pozostanie-mitem/}