The biohacking movement is one that’s been picking up momentum. I believe it is a great movement to improve health. It also welcomes people from other fields to join the conversation about health and wellness. However, doctors should be at the forefront of the biohacking movement. Though non-medical professionals can bring a fresh perspective, physicians should have a part in this health trend. I believe that doctors should always be looking for new methods and strategies to work with patients on improving their health. Additionally, I see the biohacking movement aligning well with the principles of integrative medicine.
What is biohacking?
Biohacking can be compared to an engineering approach to the human body. With biohacking, the body is viewed as a system, and solutions are applied to make the system operate more efficiently. There is no single approach that biohacking entails. Instead, it may be a series of changes, such as measuring stress and managing various stress triggers. Alternatively, it might be improvements to the sleep cycle, which can have widespread benefits on a person’s health. Biohacking is all about experimentation, which is why many physicians are hesitant to get on board. While it is important to ensure that the science is there with any medical treatment, experimentation in one’s personal practice can offer solutions where established scientific treatments don’t yet exist.
How does biohacking relate to integrative medicine?
One of the common traits of biohacking and integrative medicine is looking at the individual as a whole person, rather than with a symptom-based approach. Viewing the body as a whole system allows for more creative problem solving in resolving any health issue, since each system within the body works in tandem with the others.
In the video below, I offer more insight on the biohacking movement. Watch the video to learn more.