I was often unwell as a child. By unwell, I mean chronically. Strange symptoms led to frequent absences from school. My childhood was mostly about trying to uncover what’s wrong, which involved a lot of failed visits to specialists.
Spoiler alert: He didn’t.
Fast forward twenty years, and I found myself in a strangely familiar situation.
At Dave Asprey’s Beyond Biohacking Conference in Austin, Texas, another so-called guru was discussing how his light and sound chamber, based on the “sacred geometry of the dodecahedron,” could heal everything from emotional wounds to physical ailments and might even foster a divine connection.
Listening to him talk, I thought back to that “healing center” near my hometown, where hopeful people would arrive desperate for a miracle and leave significantly poorer.
Once I emerged from the pod, I felt just as skeptical and pained as I did back in those days.
Later, while wandering the tech hall and chatting with attendees about their favorite biohacks, I expected to hear about outrageous gadgets showcased at the conference.
What I found instead were items like a $325 quantum charging necklace that claims to harmonize the body’s energy field; a $13,999 pyramid that allegedly uses light, color, and positive affirmations for inner peace; and a $5,500 meditation lamp touted to facilitate out-of-body experiences and connections with spirits.
There was even an $18,000 device that promises to “recharge” your cells, a $35,000 wellness chamber claiming to detoxify the body, and a $557,000 refurbished bed reported to rejuvenate elderly users.
But after talking with more than thirty individuals who had spent significant amounts exploring various health technologies and treatments, I had a revelation.
Their preferred biohacks weren’t high-tech gadgets or futuristic machines. Rather, they were basic habits everyone seems to know about and, surprisingly, didn’t need a credit card for.
Money can’t buy biohacks
Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have been shocked. Asprey himself pointed out that the most effective biohacks are, in fact, free.
Carol Hopkins, 56, feels the best remedy is simply being outside.
Having been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 22, she believes that being outdoors has significantly enhanced her quality of life and alleviated her pain.
“We’ve become too domesticated,” Hopkins remarked. “Not getting enough sunlight or outdoor time affects everything.”
Gerald and Carla Mack from Louisiana also regard sunlight as vital for biohacking.
“Just waking up and soaking up natural sunlight works like a natural recharger,” Carla said, while Gerard noted, “At 69, I feel more energetic than I did in my 40s or 50s.”
Science backs up their beliefs. Research suggests that natural light enhances alertness, mood, and concentration, aiding in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms, which signal when to wake and sleep.
Zorbu Enktubshin, in his 30s and a retailer from Los Angeles, feels optimizing health begins with better sleep.
“If I could change one thing, it’d be my sleep,” he shared, adding that sticking to a sleep schedule and minimizing screen time pre-bed has improved his rest.
For some, better health takes place in the kitchen. Courtney and Luke Ketterhagen, a couple from Fort Worth who practice yoga and meditation, advocate cooking at home.
“You don’t need to spend money on fancy gadgets. Just being consistent over time gets results,” Brian Potley emphasized.
“Nutritional deficiencies are prevalent,” Luke, 50, added, explaining that home-cooked meals made with care can be transformative.
Hacks for a healthier mind
Many attendees noted that the most significant advancements in biohacking stem from focusing on mental wellness over physical health.
James Cope, 79, had embraced biohacking long before it was a popular term. For him, it’s about self-awareness rather than devices.
“Life is finite, so I aim to increase awareness while I can,” Cope stated.
Jeffrey Rivera, 40, from Brisbane, Australia, has found that biohacking has enhanced his emotional well-being.
“Less doomscrolling and more meditation,” he noted. “I need a steadier inner alignment for a calmer, clearer mind.”
For Maharen Lewis, optimization required confronting long-avoided aspects of her life. “Shadow work has greatly impacted me,” she explained.
This therapeutic approach involves examining the unconscious influences prompting feelings and actions while unpacking fears and unresolved issues.
“I enjoy exercising, saunas, and healthy eating, but the most significant biohack for me was learning self-love,” Lewis reflected.
Brianne Potley, 38, of Phoenix, echoed similar sentiments after struggling with pain and trauma.
When asked about her top biohacks, she replied, “Grounding, breathing exercises, meditation, and ice baths I’ve taken for three years.”
“They’re free,” Potley noted. “There’s no need for fancy purchases. Consistency over time brings results.”
Jennifer Thompson, 38, from Miami, made managing her stress a key priority when she grew interested in longevity.
“Reducing stress is the top biohack,” she remarked. “If that’s an issue, training your brain to handle it better is essential.”
Back to basics
After three days filled with advanced technology and lofty claims, the main takeaway from this conference was surprisingly straightforward.
“But how do you feel after going to bed? I drank water, ate something flavorful, got outside, moved around, and embraced joy. Simplifying those actions leads to better health,” she summed up.
Reflecting on my own journey—from a childhood spent seeking cures to a weekend surrounded by people pursuing cutting-edge performance—I recognized that the answer may not lie in some futuristic invention, but rather in finally committing to those simple, age-old practices we’ve always known we should follow.
