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| I tried these, so you don't have to |
| What is biohacking? My take is that it's the practice of making small, targeted changes that gently alter the processes that keep you alive to achieve desired results. In my case, this means maintaining a good mood, a healthy body weight, preventing illness, and preserving my mental function and zest for life for as long as possible — slowing down aging, in other words. |
| There are many ways to embark on biohacking adventures — diet, fasting, exercise, supplements, ice baths, for example. Here's my account of some of my own health experiments over the years. |
| What I've found to be truly useful |
| ✅ Magnesium supplements: To say magnesium is an essential mineral would be an understatement. It's involved in hundreds of different processes in every cell. For me, the most important benefit of supplementing magnesium has been the depth and quality of my sleep, and I've recently been able to track this with my fitness ring. I've been using magnesium glycinate for around 4 years now, and I've never slept better. If I run out, my rest tends to be a little more fitful. |
| ✅ Zinc supplements: I only suffer from a mild cold or flu roughly once every 18 months. In my opinion, it's no coincidence that I've been taking 30 milligrams (mg) of zinc in its citrate form (with 1 mg of copper) once every few weeks for many years as zinc plays a key role in supporting immune function. |
| ✅ Vitamin D3 and K2: I live on the South Coast of England, and we get more sunshine than most places in the UK. But still not enough for about half of the year. I've chosen to supplement with 4,000 IU vitamin D3 and K2 throughout the year and increase the dose through winter. Combined with the zinc, I think this does a lot to keep me healthy, and I see no reason to stop because I feel great. |
| ✅ Cinnamon in my coffee: I'm enjoying this right now, with about a quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon livening up my coffee. This warming spice has many benefits — it's a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, regulates blood sugar, reduces heart disease risk factors, supports brain health, soothes digestion, and the list goes on. None of these have been noticeable, but I like the taste, and the evidence is mounting. |
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| Things I'm not convinced are useful for me |
| ❌ Ginkgo biloba: This was one of the first supplements I ever "got into" way back when I was studying for my degree. It was claimed to boost cognition by improving blood flow to hard-to-reach brain parts. Looking back, I'm not sure that's a problem 20-year-old me had, and as a result, I felt no benefit whatsoever. And my word, it was expensive back then. I'm not saying it's useless — because there has been much research into the benefits — but it's not one I can justify buying now. I reserve the right to look into it again when I'm older. |
| ❌ Shilajit: Translated to the "destroyer of weakness," shilajit is said to be a sticky resin substance that comes from the rocks of the Himalayas. While it's commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties and high fulvic acid content, the downside (I've found) is that it tastes kind of rank — like bitter mud or year-old tea. Given its uncertain origins, it may contain traces of toxic heavy metals if not processed adequately before packaging and selling to consumers like myself. I've half a pot in the kitchen, but I think I will leave it there to brew for another million years because I haven't felt the benefits as much as my payment card felt the costs. |
| ❌ Cannabidiol oil: CBD is big business and the subject of intense research into its health benefits and properties. So why do I feel like it doesn't do anything for me? OK, not absolutely nothing — I feel more anxious for around a week after I stop taking it, i.e., pointless withdrawal symptoms. Just great. |
| Good, but too expensive |
| 💸 Matcha tea: I like this a lot, but it is hella expensive to keep on standby all the time. A cup of freshly brewed, ceremonial-grade matcha green tea is, I've found, an effective way to find both calm and mental stimulation at the same time. High levels of L-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate are the active ingredients that bestow these benefits. I would drink it every day, but then I wouldn't be able to feed and clothe myself, and that's got to be my priority for the time being. |
| One that I found … interesting |
| 👀 Blue lotus flower: Ever feel that your dreams could be more vivid and action-packed? The blue lotus flower may be of interest. But be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels the flower as poisonous yet doesn't classify it as a controlled substance. |
| I risked it all and drank this as a tea for a couple of years back during COVID lockdown times and was surprised how well it lived up to its billing. Night after night with wall-to-wall vivid dreams that I could alter at will. It may be illegal under local laws, so this is not one I can recommend. |
| Next on my list of things to try |
| 📝 GlyNAC: A recent study shows that the supplement GlyNAC, a mix of the amino acid glycine and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), may slow aging by improving mitochondrial function. In mice, it extended life span by 24%, and limited human trials showed benefits in strength, cognition, and other aging markers. While more research is needed, GlyNAC holds promise for healthier aging and longer life. |
| 📝 Lion's mane: This mushroom offers a range of health benefits, particularly for the brain, heart, and gut. Research suggests they may protect against dementia, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, aid nerve recovery, protect against ulcers, improve heart health, manage diabetes, and have anticancer properties. |
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