What is Biohacking, and How Does it Help Women?

Biohacking: maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. One thing is sure, though—it’s about to take the wellness world by storm.

According to Medical News Today, biohacking is “a term people may use to describe do-it-yourself biology. Biohacking involves someone making incremental changes to their body, diet, and lifestyle to improve their health and well-being.” Biohacking is the intersection between biology and technology, and it’s the next big thing in the wellness world.

“Biohacking looks different for everyone, which makes it a unique facet of the health and wellness world,” said Dr. Christina Rahm, a globally renowned scientist and entrepreneur. “From weight loss and better sleep to hormone balancing and improved fitness, the positive benefits of biohacking are wide-ranging and impressive.”

Dr. Rahm was a speaker at the 10th Annual Biohacking Conference, which took place in Dallas, Texas, this past May and June. The conference aimed to explore the forefront of health innovation, longevity, and human optimization, and Dr. Rahm spoke on her insights and findings in the fields of wellness and health optimization.

For years, Dr. Rahm’s work has focused on efforts to develop nutraceuticals and wellness programs that aim to revolutionize how we approach health and aging. Her work, known for its innovative approach to combining science with natural solutions, aligns perfectly with biohacking’s mission to empower individuals to take control of their health and extend their lifespan.

We chatted with Dr. Rahm about biohacking and how this new wellness revolution affects women’s health outcomes.

Understanding Biohacking

Biohacking helps health-minded individuals pursue a life of optimal health and longevity. The entire concept revolves around a “DIY” methodology. Biohackers attempt to change one aspect of their biology to improve health, athletic performance, and beyond. The idea is to make small changes consistently until the desired effects occur. The process is, as Dr. Rahm mentioned, entirely customizable. 

Some popular forms of biohacking have existed in the zeitgeist for a long time. Here are the main categories that people pursue today.

Dietary Adjustments

Intermittent fasting and the keto diet are common forms of biohacking for food consumption. In each, individuals isolate variables and ingest only certain foods or eat at certain times of the day. 

“Each person’s reaction to food differs,” says Dr. Rahm. “In the quest to better understand your body’s biology and chemistry, it can be helpful to eliminate or add certain foods in a semi-controlled environment through fasting or dieting.” 

Another diet-based biohacking technique is to send a DNA sample into a lab. Medical News Today states, “A person can send a DNA sample to a specialized laboratory, where their genetic makeup is analyzed. Then, their healthcare team can use the results to create an optimized nutrition plan. This may involve avoiding certain foods linked to conditions they are genetically predisposed to.” These personalized insights can lead to improved bodily function in the long term.

Wearable Technology

Do you own an Apple Watch? How about a Garmin or an Oura Ring? Were you one of the first people to own a FitBit? If so, you’ve been biohacking for years! 

These types of technology allow wearers to track key health metrics, including sleep quality, calorie burn, steps taken, body recovery, mental health, and so much more. Having this much data at one’s fingertips can greatly improve biohacking results. 

Lifestyle Changes

That’s right, even simple shifts like going to sleep thirty minutes earlier, spending five minutes at the gym doing mobility exercises, and adding 10% more protein to your diet count as biohacking. The key is to make small changes for a few weeks, then carefully track how your body responds to said changes. If it moves the needle closer to achieving your goals, fold the lifestyle change into your routine for the long run.

Biohacking Benefits for Women

While biohacking is for everyone, there are significant benefits for women in particular.

Hormonal Health

Balancing hormones is a tricky thing for women. Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause shift hormone balances greatly, so women’s bodies are constantly re-acclimating. Biohacking allows women to test different variables and track health outcomes, whether the goal is to get more sleep each night or stay full for longer. 

Mental Health

Dr. Rahm recommends three biohacking tools to manage mental health issues: “Meditation, mindfulness, and nootropics.” Caffeine is the most common nootropic, but other types are available in the form of pills, supplements, tinctures, beverages, and edibles. Dr. Rahm’s own company, The Root Brands, sells a suite of nootropics that are designed to improve body performance and target a variety of ailments. Other options can be found online at places like Amazon or stores like Walmart.

Anti-Aging

Women’s beauty standards are challenging to keep up with. While no one needs to erase all signs of aging, biohacking can help women age more gracefully. “Certain simple lifestyle changes, like minimizing alcohol consumption, alongside interventions like targeted supplements, can slow the visible signs of aging significantly,” says Dr. Rahm. Try several techniques to see what yields the most dramatic results for you.

The best thing about biohacking is that it puts you in complete control of your own health. Using the tools, data, and supplements at your disposal, anyone can improve their health outcomes and make long-term impacts on their lives.