Embeddable implants are the next logical evolution of wearable technology. Technology integrated into the human body, also called biohacking, that is, the type of biohackers currently gaining the most notoriety are those who experiment outside traditional laboratories and institutions with their own bodies in the hope of improving their physical and cognitive performance. They form a branch of transhumanism, a movement that holds that human beings can and should use technology to increase and evolve our species. The hacker culture is concerned with altering machinery.
Hackers find ways to make computers faster, better and easier for users. They address problems and then find unique ways to fix them. A subgroup of biohackers known as grinders become cyborgs by embedding magnets, chips or computers under their skin. For example, a person with a built-in chip in their hand could open office doors or even pay for their daily latte with just a swipe of their wrist.
Some common biohacking techniques, such as meditation and intermittent fasting, have existed since ancient times. Some biohackers believe that, by taking advantage of technology, they will be able to live longer but stay younger. But later on, I'll also give an overview of other types of biohacking (including some that can lead to quite incredible works of art). Zayner, the biohacker who once injected himself with CRISPR DNA, has also had health problems for years, and some of his biohacking activities have consisted of explicit attempts to cure himself.
Many biohackers believe that exposing the body to cold can help burn fat faster when trying to lose weight, and recommend ice baths, cold showers or even cryotherapy (a technique that uses nitrogen to cool the body). Some consider biohacking a subcategory of molecular genetics, considering that both studies investigate how the human body works. A subgroup of biohackers called grinders go so far as to implant devices such as computer chips in their bodies. Since biohackers are usually interested in quantifying all aspects of themselves, they can purchase portable devices to, for example, track their sleep patterns.
It could be said that what differentiates biohacking is not that it is a different genre of activity, but that the activities are carried out with a particular mentality. In person, they conduct experiments and take classes at “hacklabs”, improvised laboratories open to the public, and attend any of the dozens of biohacking conferences held every year. Many ancient meditation and fasting techniques can be considered a basic type of biohacking. Fortunately, biohackers aren't usually interested in dethroning the experience to such a dangerous point; many simply don't believe that they should be excluded from scientific discoveries because they lack conventional credentials, such as a doctorate.
One word that Asprey likes to use a lot is “control”, and that kind of language is typical of many biohackers, who usually talk about “optimizing” and “improving” their minds and bodies. If you've heard stories about people who implant chips in their appendages, use devices to change their brain waves and sleep better, or put butter in their morning coffee, that's biohacking in action. In fact, some of the most controversial biohacking practices are getting a bad rap, but part of the biology of “do it yourself” can be powerful. So what exactly are the implications of biohacking in molecular genetics and molecular genetics software? It's hard to say for sure, but here are a few things to keep in mind in the future.
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