Independence from Disease: Biohacker or Physician?
Happy 250th Birthday to the greatest nation on Earth. As we celebrate Independence Day and reflect on our freedoms here in the U.S.A., I could not help but think about people who are sick or in really bad health who cannot enjoy the freedoms afforded to us because of their illnesses. Americans are some of the sickest people on the planet despite being the most industrialized and innovative countries in the world. The U.S. makes up about 4% of the global population but we account for roughly 40% to 50% of global prescription drug sales revenue and 76% of the profits by big pharma. Roughly 65% of Americans take at least one prescription drug for a medical condition. Adults over age 65 in the U.S. take an average of 4.3 prescription medications per person, with approximately 89% of seniors reporting they take at least one medication. More than half of all seniors regularly take four or more drugs daily, and 42% take five or more. I think we can all agree that prescription medication is not making us healthier. In fact, prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in the United States and Europe. Around half of those who die have taken their drugs correctly; the other half die because of errors, such as too high a dose or use of a drug despite contraindications.
The Problem with Modern “Sick Care”
We have a problem with our current medical system in the U.S. or as I call it, sick care. It is anything but health care. That is why the Biohacking movement is so important and gaining a lot of traction. I have been invited to speak at several Biohacking conferences around the world over the past few years. This is a growing movement and attracting many people to the conferences. I recently returned from a Biohacking Conference in New York City and 85% of the attendees were local and for many was their first time attending a Biohacking conference. I learned that many attend because they are not happy with their physician and their health status and they are looking for new modalities and new ideas on how to gain control of their health. Many of these people are very wealthy and have access to some of the best physicians and health care practitioners money and insurance can buy. I never really considered myself a Biohacker because I come from Academia, until I learned more about what defines a biohacker. Since this is a growing movement, I thought it was timely to express my thoughts on this field and highlight the good and the bad so each of you reading this can be better informed to make educated and informed decisions regarding your health.
The Benefits of the Biohacking Movement
First let me start with the positives of Biohacking. The majority of Biohackers are in great shape. They are physically fit, they have balance in their life between physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health. They are positive, energetic people. Most physicians on the other hand are unhealthy, not in great shape and have no balance in their life. Data shows that 70% of physicians take prescription medication for the same chronic conditions as their patients. Do we really want to take health advice from doctors who are unhealthy and need prescription medication? Most doctors are not great role models for optimal health.
Biohackers live with purpose and intention and are eager and willing to share their stories with others to help everyone realize their health goals. Biohackers are inquisitive and refuse to accept the standard of care and the current medical/drug paradigm. Most biohackers started their health journey because they were sick, unhealthy, ate a typical American diet followed the advice of their physicians, took drugs for their symptoms and yet did not get better and in many cases got worse. Rather than becoming a victim, they had the courage to take control of their own health, became empowered and it changed their life and their destiny. In many cases, the solution was simple. They changed their diet, started fasting, they began to exercise, spent time in the sun, infrared sauna, red light therapy, targeted supplementation, avoided exposure to toxins, cleaned up their oral health and gut health. Almost magically, their health improved without any prescription medication. That should be the goal of medicine. Thomas Edison said hundreds of years ago, “The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the causes and prevention of disease.” This is not a new concept. However, conventional medicine has gone so far away from this concept, and it has had devastating consequences. Biohacking is resurrecting this concept and it can work very well.
The Scientific Reality Check
Now the bad news. After attending more than a dozen Biohacking conferences I have found very little science, at least compared to what I am accustomed to in Academia and spending more than 25 years doing actual research. For me, science is objective, testable, reproducible and follows a logic based on knowledge in the field. I do not see good science by many of the speakers and even less from the companies who are exhibiting their products at these conferences. I also noticed that many of the speakers do not have a scientific or medical pedigree or even formal education. This is not a critique, just simply stating the facts. However, some of the best speakers are those who are on stage telling their own health story and journey. They are motivating, inspiring and very effective. In fact, most people do not want to hear a boring science talk. However, it is very important that the information you take from these and all conferences is scientifically and medically sound so you do not do things that can potentially harm you. You should not take advice from people who are untrained or uneducated. I am not saying you need a formal education and training to know what you are talking about but there must be truth. Experience, knowledge and wisdom are just as important.
In the Biohacking world, it is pay to play. That means that if you write a big enough check to the conference organizers, you can speak on the main stage in front of thousands of people and suddenly become an influencer or expert. I have seen keynote speakers presenting concepts that are completely wrong or communicating claims on their products that simply are not true because they cannot be true based on real science. There are biohacker influencers on social media that are influencing the health choices of millions of people with no science or medical credentials or training and that can be dangerous. They may come from the insurance field, technology, computer programming, etc. That is where I see the problem. People can be misguided, not by malice or intention, but rather from ignorance or lack of knowledge from the speaker simply based on lack of understanding of biochemistry and human physiology. Many are using AI to guide their decisions but remember AI is only as good as the information it is fed. If you feed AI misinformation, it will report misinformation and perpetuate the fallacy.
Finding Your Path to Optimal Health
I am a strong supporter the Biohacking movement and now even consider myself a Biohacker since everything I do is trying to program my body to operate optimally and at a high level for as long as it can. However, I have the fortunate perspective as a trained scientist with more than 25 years in basic science and clinical research, discoveries and innovations. Just as with any decision, use some discretion and do a little bit of research if you are following a Biohacker. After all, no one would call a plumber to fix their electrical problems. Both are very important disciplines but require certain and different skills and knowledge. I encourage everyone to challenge their current health care provider. If you are not getting better under the care of a physician or any other health care provider, then fire them and find another provider. Investigate the Biohacking world and learn from people who took control of their own health and changed their lives. There is a lot to learn and a lot that must change to our current sick care system. Biohacking may prove to be a viable option but there must be some level of scientific rigor that must be implemented to ensure safety. First do no harm.
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About Dr. Nathan S. Bryan
Dr. Nathan S. Bryan is a biochemist and physiologist that has more than 25 years of basic science and clinical research. His many seminal discoveries have resulted in dozens of issued U.S. and International patents. He is an international expert in nitric oxide and molecular medicine. Dr. Bryan is an innovator and successful entrepreneur whose product technology is based on his discoveries to restore nitric oxide production and signaling. This content is not intended to replace medical advice from a physician.
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