Biohacking refers to biological experiments carried out in small labs by an individual or a small community. As a result, biohacking is also known as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) biology. Small-scale biological experiments could involve genetic engineering, 3-D printing with light-sensitive bacteria, or a variety of other biological experiments. Smart drugs, microchips, brain sensors, magnetic fingerprints, RFID implants, bacterial and yeast strains, smart blood pressure monitors, and health trackers are some of the products developed by biohackers to investigate the human body and mind. Biohacking, also known as human augmentation or human enhancement, is a type of do-it-yourself biology that aims to improve performance, health, and happiness through strategic interventions. Meditation and intermittent fasting are two common biohacking techniques that have been practised since ancient times. Other biohackers use a highly technical approach to engineering their own bodies in order to fix flaws and become superhuman. And, as technology for technical biohacking becomes more widely available, do-it-yourself health opportunities become increasingly extreme. Why do people want to tamper with their bodies? Some do it because they don't feel well and want to seek treatment outside of traditional medicine. Others want to use engineering to experiment with new ideas and have complete control over their bodies. Others do it because they want to slow down the ageing process and live forever. According to Coherent Market Insights, The global Biohacking Market is estimated to be USD 15755.29 Million in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 45951.81 million by 2028 to grow at a CAGR of 17% during the forecast period (2021 –2028). Some biohackers go beyond supplementing, changing their diet, and taking cold showers. They actually use technology to augment their own bodies, a process known as human augmentation. Grinders are a subset of biohackers who transform themselves into cyborgs by embedding magnets, chips, or computers beneath their skin. A person with an embedded chip in their hand, for example, might be able to open office doors or even pay for their daily latte with a simple swipe of the wrist. There are biohackers who push medical procedures to their breaking point in the pursuit of health and longevity. As part of his highly publicised quest to live to 180 years old, Dave Asprey, founder of the multimillion-dollar Bulletproof brand, had a doctor harvest stem cells from his bone marrow and inject those cells into every joint in his body. He also spends time in a hyperbaric chamber on a regular basis, depriving his cells of oxygen in order to improve the function of his brain and muscle tissue and repair the damage caused by the ageing process. On the most extreme end of the biohacking spectrum, people are experimenting with young blood transfusions (yes, it's a thing) and injecting themselves with CRISPR-edited genes. Some of the most contentious biohacking practises are getting a bad rap, but some do-it-yourself biology can be empowering. If you're interested in biohacking, do your homework and select the technology and personal practises that will allow you to achieve your goals while minimising risk and avoiding harm. The technological race to assist biohackers in continuing to optimise their own bodies is not going away anytime soon.
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