The wellness industry thrives on innovation, constantly pushing boundaries to refine practices and improve outcomes. One of the latest trends capturing attention in the wellness world is biohacking. But what does it mean, and why should spa and wellness professionals take note? This article will provide an overview of biohacking and explore actionable ways wellness professionals can incorporate its principles into their practices through insight from "The Father of Biohacking," Dave Asprey.
WellSpa 360 (WS): How did you come to coin the term "biohacking?"
Dave Asprey (DA): I used to be 300 lbs. I had major brain fog, fatigue and was at high risk of having a stroke when I was only in my mid 20s. As a computer hacker, I learned early on how to take over a computer by changing the inputs to its operating system. Later, I realized that just as you can hack a computer system, you can also hack your biology to get a desired result (hence the term biohacking). I used the principles of biohacking to lose over 100 pounds, reverse my biological age, and get in the best physical and mental shape of my life.
WS: What are the fundamentals of biohacking?
DA: Biohacking is the art and science of changing the environment around you and inside you to take control of your biology. Some of the principles include:
- Choose your target goal – work on one thing at a time, whether it’s your brain, spirituality, metabolism, fitness and strength, sleep, etc.
- Track your data – laboratory blood tests, wearable trackers and journals
- If something isn’t working, change your plan
- Continuous improvement – once you’ve tackled one of your goals, move on to your next one. There’s always something to improve upon.
Related: 5 Cutting-Edge Biohacking Treatments From Upgrade Labs
WS: What type of programming would you recommend wellness pros add to their services to help their clients boost longevity?
DA: I’d recommend adding lab testing services because biohacking and longevity are individual. Once you get individual data on how your biology works, you can find out what will work best for YOU to boost your longevity. Lab work can also uncover hidden issues like inflammation and mineral deficiencies that accelerate aging.
WS: Are there any trends within the biohacking sector that excite you?
DA: I’m excited about longevity and how rapidly our knowledge about human biology is expanding. I totally believe that we can meaningfully extend human lifespan. We're seeing incredible innovations in supplements and therapies aimed at doing this. WS: Where do you see the future of biohacking heading?
WS: Where do you see the future of biohacking heading?
DA: We’re going to see more and more people working on not only improving their physical resilience, but also their spiritual resilience. I wrote a whole book on this called Heavily Meditated that’s coming out this year. There is also going to be a huge increase in AI-guided longevity. AI is going to help you identify your needs based on your specific biomarkers and help formulate personalized interventions that work best for your longevity goals. AI can also help scientists and researchers discover potential anti-aging compounds and therapies, significantly reducing time and cost.
What This Means for Wellness Pros
Biohacking represents the intersection of wellness, technology, and personalization, making it an exciting opportunity for spa and wellness professionals. Integrating even a few biohacking-inspired services into your practice can enhance your offerings and keep your clients curious, engaged and coming back for more.
