The term biohacking is frequently misunderstood, that’s whey they ask: “Is biohacking safe and legal?”
Is biohacking safe and legal? Yes, it is. Biohacking’s a scientific approach to improving your body and mind, it can and should be safe and legal in every country as there are many variations that allow you to adapt to what’s right for you and legal where you are.
Is biohacking safe? Yes. Experts have done research, so whether you biohack exercise, nutrition the mind or anything else, you should always, because we are all unique, work with professionals and get personalized advice, that way it’s 100% safe.
Is biohacking legal? Biohacking of certain ways is legal. Nutritionally biohacking your body is legal in most cases. However, some things, like steroids, are banned in competition. Other forms of biohacking for fitness, recovery, wearable technology and sleep are also legal.
The term ‘biohacking’ in its purest form, is the overall term for a wider range of subsections. These subsections are:
- Nutrigenomics
- Do-it-yourself biology
- Grinder biohacking
These subsections are each different forms of biohacking which we’ll explain and get into later. The science part needn’t worry you either because you’re already using it at some level, so improving it will have beneficial effects.
You’ll also find that biohacking covers all sorts of other subjects related to improving your body and mind which you’ll see in this article.
Things like performance clothing, rest and recovery, wearable technology, exercise, diets, meditation, and environmental factors also come under the subject of biohacking. When done correctly all these can and should be 100% safe.
Table of Contents
Different Biohacking And How You Make Them Safe And Legal?
What is Nutrigenomics?
The most mainstream section of biohacking is nutrigenomics.
Nutrigenomics, or Nutritional genomics, is the scientific study of the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health. Basically, it’s about uncovering how your health, fitness, wellbeing, and body changes because of nutrition.
Done correctly you can physically and chemically alter your body and mind, and how well it functions, by improving your nutrition.
This can range from manipulating and getting better quality sleep, to taking dietary supplements . You can see benefits such as reduced cancer risk or heart disease, better mental focus, improvements in fitness, reducing body fat levels, improving mood and much more.
Nutrigenomic biohacking is largely safe.
In order to overdose on most nutrients, you have to consume way over the recommended limit – a lot over the recommended limit. Realistically it is impossible to overdose accidentally. Side effects are present but very few are likely to lead to serious issues.
Do-it-yourself and grinder biohacks are a different story however in terms of safety. They deal with experimenting with some untested science on yourself and even your actual genome/DNA. Huge risks are involved.
Unless you are authorized and regulated, some areas of biohacking like Do it yourself biology and Grinder Biohacking can be illegal in some places too.
As well as being largely illegal they are frowned upon in the scientific community. It’s likened to practicing medicine without a license, something we all know is wrong and dangerous.
What Is Do-It-Yourself Biology?
Due to the controversy surrounding the ethics of Do-it-yourself biology (DIY bio), it is the most renowned subsection of biohacking, which is why it’s often in the news for the right and wrong reasons.
It is testing unproven science on oneself (conducting experiments) in an attempt to achieve a desired outcome or ability.
As some of the DIY bios relate to editing your own DNA it raises moral questions. Understandably, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in America said that the sale of kits that encourage this type of biohacking is illegal due to the safety risks involved.
This ‘gene therapy’ is often mislabelled as ‘biohacking’ as a whole, when it is only a subsection under the umbrella of ‘biohacking’.
People often think about science-fiction and metal or bionic limbs when hearing the term ‘biohacking”, but that’s not the reality.
People are often disappointed and underwhelmed when finding out its actual meaning in terms of nutrigenomics and DIY bio. Although, Grinder biohacking is the beginning of this sci-fi side of things.
What Is Grinder Biohacking?
Grinder biohackers use technological implants or chemicals to alter their bodies and take steps towards improving themselves. This is also related to what’s known as the biopunk movement.
The tech and chemicals are extremely risky and dangerous, so I’d stay away from this subsection for a good few years yet.
There are many examples of Grinder Biohacks such as body implants of RFID and NFC chips and magnets, especially the hands. Others have developed implants to test blood, and measure body temperature too.
In reality, many of the applications here are achievable in other ways without risk, especially with the latest wearable technology.
Risks And Side Effects – So You Keep Biohacking Safe And Legal
As with almost anything, there could be side effects, even in nutrigenomic biohacking.
Having too much of anything can be a bad thing. You can experience an overdose through supplements or normal food and drink.
The majority of things that help in biohacking don’t come with any particular risks or side effects, sleep biohacks, wearable tech and things like these are all essentially risk-free.
Dosage and effect vary from person to person. Consider what you are taking, how much and what else is being taken.
A more detailed and specific look at side effects and benefits can be found in articles especially on the nutrition and tools themselves.
Ways You Can Nutrigenomically Biohack Yourself And The Benefits
You can take supplements or consume more nutritious specific foods.
Supplements for various minerals and vitamins are said to provide many benefits for your body and can (although it is not recommended unless necessary) replace certain foods and their nutrients.
Although, it is always best to consume the nutrients naturally through foods that contain them. The benefits can include better exercise performance, fat burning and decrease the effects of stress and anxiety.
Read up on various nutrients and their benefits and see which most applies to you in this comprehensive review of biohacking supplements.
In the article you’ll find out the best supplements for memory and focus, allergies and strengthing your immune system, improving your cardiovascular health, building muscle, burning fat and improving your sleep.
There’s also information on this and on biohacking your sleep here too.
Conclusion
Nutrigenomic biohacking is fundamentally safe when following the correct expert advice.
Specific dangers of nutrigenomic biohacking are virtually non-existent, rather the potential dangers lie in other places. Whether that’s being safe ordering on the internet, reading labels or keeping to a recommended dosage, feel safe in biohacking your body nutritionally and enjoy the potential benefits which come from it, it can positively transform your life.
For DIY bio and Grinder biohacking, I say stay away from them for now until regulation or control is brought in. Both are extremely dangerous, let alone illegal/outlawed in most places.
It’s understandable that you want to look and feel better and biohacking is definitely going to help you achieve those things and can maximize your results in minimal time and with as little effort as possible.
There are so many safe and enjoyable ways to apply biohacking to what you do and how you do it, you just need to have goals and reverse engineer your biohacking to suit.
In fact, if you’re new to biohacking then check out the new to biohacking article on HackBiohacking. You can go through your routine, habits, and daily activities that can be done better with some biohacking help!
So, rather than wondering if biohacking’s safe, the question should actually be: what safe and legal biohacks can I start today?