Biohacking

The practice of systematically tracking personal biological data such as heart rate variability, sleep quality, blood glucose levels, and cognitive performance using wearable devices and apps to identify patterns and optimize health outcomes.

Substances, both natural and synthetic, that are used to enhance cognitive function, including memory, focus, creativity, and motivation. They range from common compounds like caffeine and L-theanine to prescription drugs like modafinil and racetams.

A dietary strategy that cycles between periods of eating and fasting. Common protocols include 16:8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating) and 5:2 (five normal eating days, two restricted-calorie days). It is used to improve metabolic flexibility, promote autophagy, and support weight management.

The deliberate use of cold water immersion, cold showers, or cryotherapy to trigger physiological adaptations including increased norepinephrine production, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and enhanced brown adipose tissue activation.

The variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats, measured in milliseconds. Higher HRV generally indicates better autonomic nervous system function, greater stress resilience, and superior cardiovascular fitness. It is a key biometric used by biohackers to gauge recovery and readiness.

The study of how individual genetic variations affect the body's response to nutrients and how diet can influence gene expression. It enables personalized dietary recommendations based on one's genetic profile rather than one-size-fits-all nutrition advice.

The deliberate alignment of daily behaviors such as light exposure, meal timing, exercise, and sleep schedules with the body's internal 24-hour biological clock to improve hormonal balance, cognitive performance, and metabolic health.

A cellular process in which the body breaks down and recycles damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and cellular debris. It serves as a cellular quality control mechanism and is upregulated during fasting, caloric restriction, and intense exercise.

Strategies aimed at increasing the brain's ability to reorganize neural connections and form new pathways. These include deliberate learning, meditation, physical exercise, adequate sleep, and targeted supplementation with compounds like lion's mane mushroom or BDNF-boosting interventions.

A biological phenomenon in which a mild stressor that would be harmful at high doses produces a beneficial adaptive response at low doses. This principle underlies many biohacking practices including cold exposure, heat therapy, fasting, and high-intensity exercise.