Clearly, the world loves listening about sexual healing, then why are we so scared to talk about it?

Traditional treatments focus on just one system of the body, increased circulation.

In reality, libido is a delicate interplay of four key systems in the body. 

This four-fold chart represents our interconnected systems of libido, desire and sexual energy.

When you look at this chart, you can see why many of us don’t talk about it.

Female libido is complex, multi-layered and always evolving.

So, what affects libido in women?

This flow chart helps explain this complexity:

Hormonal system

“Women produce three to four times as much testosterone than oestrogen before the menopause.”

What effect do our hormones have on our libido?

Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all affect sexual desire and arousal.

Below is a study that explains how women need a specific balance between oestrogen and testosterone, which is unique to each individual.

Increasing women’s sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of oestrogens and androgens.

Do women need testosterone?

While testosterone is more commonly associated with men, women need testosterone too.  In fact, women produce 3 times more testosterone than the female sex hormone oestrogen before menopause.

Testosterone is produced by ovaries, adrenal glands and the brain, but levels decline around the time of the perimenopause and menopause and stay low thereafter. This fall in testosterone can lead to a lack of energy, brain fog, reduced libido and a lack of purpose and confidence.

Many other factors can also influence testosterone levels regardless of age such as obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle factors.

What could we be doing naturally to promote or improve this balance between our hormones?

For many people, small and simple lifestyle changes can help support healthy hormone levels in the body and ensure that all our body systems are working at their optimal level. A well-balanced diet and healthy habits may improve your hormonal health and allow you to feel your best.

Here are 10 tips to naturally support your hormone balance:

1. Consume enough protein, aim for around 30-35 grams.

Proteins provide amino acids that your body cannot make on its own and are needed to produce peptide hormones. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating several physiological processes, including growth, energy metabolism, appetite, stress, and more. Current research is emerging showing that most of us are not consuming enough daily protein and should aim for around 30-35 grams per meal to maintain muscle strength, bone health, and other functions.

2. Exercise regularly and focus on strength building.

Physical activity and building muscle strength not only influences your hormonal health, but also is a healthy ageing strategy.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.

Weight gain is directly associated with hormonal imbalances. Obesity relates to a lack of ovulation in women. Do explore our Metabolic Gold supplement if you are concerned about insulin resistance, over health and weight gain.

4. Watch your gut health. 

The gut produces numerous metabolites that affect hormone health and processes of the vagus nerve. A healthy gut biome can support emotional health, hormonal health and all your body's systems. Do explore Gut Love our award winning supplement to support your gut with organic slippery elm, prebiotics and probiotics.

5.  Conscious intake of processed sugar.

Processed sugar (this also includes wine) promotes insulin resistance, and fructose intake is linked to disruptions in the gut microbiome, ultimately leading to hormonal imbalances. Minimising this intake can improve energy, skin and sleep.

6. Reduce stress in imaginative ways.

Stress can significantly harm the body’s hormones. Finding techniques that can help to decrease stress can really help your quality of life and relationships, be creative it could be painting by numbers, walking, breathing, rocking out to music whatever you can fit into your daily life, just schedule it in and prioritise it. You may find that Saffrosun Calm helps alleviate nervousness, maintain emotional balance and support good sleep as it addresses your cortisol levels. 

7. Get enough sleep. 

A good sleep routine is a really important habit one of the most important factors not just in hormonal imbalance, but also your quality of life.  It is worth exploring what works for you it maybe blackout blinds, or eye masks, magnesium or a hot bath and some lavender tea.

8. Eat healthy fats.

Healthy fat intake can work to maintain balanced hormones that are involved with appetite, metabolism, and feeling full and is so important for healthy body and brain function. We don't need to demonise all fats, because they are critical for our health, and low fat products are typically full of processed ingredients.

9 Eat plenty of fibre at least 30g a day *

Fibre plays a huge role in gut health, helping regulate hormones like insulin and keeping you full for longer. Eating plenty of fibre is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.

10. Hydration 6-8 glasses a day

Drink enough water so your urine is a pale yellow colour is the aim, however vegetables, fruit and soups etc also contribute to this target.  Fluids will support skin health, bone health and will help flush out toxins and producing healthy easy stools.

Ingredient focus for Ashwadisiac for Women:

Our potent supplement has been crafted to energise and restore the four vital systems of the body, promoting balance, vitality and overall well-being.

The four ingredients of our supplement are Fenugreek for hormonal health, Gingko Biloba for circulatory health, Ashwagandha for the nervous system and Saffron for emotional health.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum greacum) has been used in traditional medicine and many of us are familiar with using this Indian spice in cooking.

However, Fenugreek extract has many health benefits the seed powder is rich in the bioactive saponin glycosides and ours is at the high strength of 60%.

Clinical trials have shown Fenugreek extract helps balance hormone levels, such as oestrogen and testosterone improving symptoms of low libido as well as enhancing energy levels and exercise endurance.

Fenugreek is also particularly beneficial for managing hormonal symptoms such as hot flushes, low mood, night sweats, and poor sleep.

Below is a study highlighting how fenugreek can help with sexual desire in women.

It specifically highlights the health benefits of fenugreek including the regulation of sex hormones.

Properties of Fenugreek: A Review (openbiologyjournal.com)

Circulatory System

What effect does our circulation have on our libido?

Women may suffer from low sex drive, because of reduced blood flow which may prevent sexual arousal and cause vaginal dryness discomfort.

Growing older, being under severe or chronic stress, or having certain medical conditions such as diabetes and atherosclerosis might also contribute to inhibited blood flow.

To address this problem, urologists may recommend topical applications to dilate the blood vessels, increase blood flow, and improve sensitivity and arousal, or prescribe HRT or vaginal pessaries.

What could we be doing naturally to promote or improve our circulation, with regards to libido?

Exercising can help improve blood flow as it also helps to increase testosterone and muscle strength is critical to overall health and quality of life as we get older.

Medications can affect libido, in particular antidepressants. According to the *American Journal of Psychiatry "70% of women taking antidepressants** (especially SSRIs) report experiencing sexual side effects, including low libido"
   

Ingredient focus for circulatory system: Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is an ancient tree native to China estimated to have existed for over 270 million years.

The leaves of the Ginkgo Biloba tree have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and have become a focus of research in recent years for their active compounds, terpene lactones and flavone glycosides.

Ginkgo Biloba contains powerful antioxidants that promote blood flow, circulation, cognitive function, reduce stress, and anxiety, help focus and improve sex drive and desire.

Ginkgo Biloba contains bioactives that improve levels of nitric oxide, a compound responsible for dilating blood vessels. This in turn improves circulation making Ginkgo an effective ingredient for symptoms of sexual dysfunction caused by poor circulation.

The study below explains that when combined with sex therapy, long-term Gingko Biloba treatment significantly increased sexual desire and contentment beyond placebo.

Short- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women

Nervous System

What role does our nervous system play in our libido?

Much of the hormone regulation in our bodies is regulated by the nervous system. Even hormones like oxytocin, aka “the love hormone” are under the whim of the nervous system, and its ability to function effectively.

Given that the nervous system controls so much of how our bodies work, it makes sense that it also has a huge impact on sexual desire, energy levels and connection.

The limbic system helps regulate parts of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating autonomic bodily responses like breathing, blood pressure, and pulse. Thought of as the “primitive” area of the brain, the limbic system, also plays a role in physical drives and emotional processing – and is activated during intimacy.

Sometimes our nervous system becomes dysregulated. Whether that be through trauma, physical or mental stress, injury, medication or hormonal fluctuations.

When the nervous system isn’t working optimally, it can affect how and when we become aroused, our sexual responses, our comfort levels in intimacy with others, and so much more. 

Adrenaline, the stress hormone, actually inhibits oxytocin. Given that oxytocin helps facilitate trust, sexual activity, and orgasm, high amounts of stress hormones from a dysregulated nervous system, can make it difficult to feel connected.

What could we be doing naturally to promote or improve our circulation, with regards to libido?

The ability to relax into the moment, allows us to experience more pleasure throughout life .

Knowing what puts you in a state of stress, and what brings you ease, helps you to relax and be comfortable with your self and this in turn makes you wish to perhaps find the opportunities to connect with others in both a social setting and then perhaps a romantic one.

Ingredient focus for hormonal balance: Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a popular herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.

Ashwagandha has adaptogenic properties meaning it uses its natural intelligence to allow the body to absorb or excrete just the right amount of herb on any given day.  

It supports the nervous system to cope with stress, by reducing our body’s natural cortisol levels (the stress hormone). It also has aphrodisiac qualities that can enhance libido and overall sexual wellness.

Ashwagandha influences the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which are crucial for mood, relaxation, ability to experience pleasure and cognitive function.

It also reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help to protect the nervous system from inflammation-related damage.

Below is a study highlighting that after 8 weeks of continuous use of Ashwagandha produced a statistically significant improvement in patients as compared to placebo.

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract for Improvement of Sexual Health in Healthy Women: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Ingredient focus for sensory and nervous system: Saffron

Saffron is a spice from the Crocus Sativus flower and is derived from the stigma - called threads - within the flower itself.

The harvesting process is very labour intensive, each crocus sativus flower contains 3-4 stigmas which are hand-picked and dried under controlled conditions.

There are three key bioactives associated with saffron. Crocin, a water-soluble carotenoid, picrocrocin and thirdly, safranal which is formed as a result of the drying process of picrocrocin.

Most saffron supplements on the market contain only one bioactive safranal.

However, we have incorporated the powerhouse of all three bioactives (crocin, picrocrocin and safranal) at a much higher concentration than in our other saffron products.

Untreated anxiety or depression can contribute to sexual dysfunction, as can long-term stress. Our saffron extract supports emotional balance and the formula is targetted to reduce stress-related sexual health problems.

Saffron harnesses adaptogenic properties, supporting our bodies to better cope with stress and regulate neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Saffron has been shown to have particularly aphrodisiac properties for people taking antidepressant medication.

In addition, Saffron helps reduce the reactivity of the nervous system to stress, because it helps the body to cope better and react better to nervousness and mood imbalance.

Below is a study that included thirty-eight women with major depression who were stabilised on fluoxetine 40mg/day for a minimum of 6 weeks and had experienced subjective feelings of sexual dysfunction entered the study. The patients were randomly assigned to saffron or placebo for 4 weeks.

Results showed that the patients receiving saffron experienced statistically significant improvements in sexual problems.

Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

There is no quick fix, but we can help

Ashwadisiac for Women is our product to help improve low libido, hormone balance and energy.

100% natural it contains the most potent mix of ingredients at a strength and formulation that you can trust, always tested to make sure there are no nasties just strong naturally powerful content.

The bioactives contained in the ingredients for Ashwadisiac for Women ensure that consistent intake will support the four key systems in the body that will have the greatest impact.

Our Ashwagandha Root & Leaf Extract contains 35% of the bioactives, Withanolides (this is 7 times stronger than any standard ashwagandha supplement).

The Fenugreek contained in our Ashwadisac for women contains 60% of the bioactives, saponins and is a unique, standardised fenugreek supplement on the market.

The Saffron used in our Ashwadisiac for Women contains the highest concentration of the three bioactives mentioned above at 10.5%.

Finally, our Gingko Biloba contains 24% glycosides and 6 % terpene lactones and again like our fenugreek contains a unique, standardised dose.

Women deserve more!

Women deserve to feel more confident, feel more energy,  more passion, and more desire.

Speak to our expert pharmacists today

Our registered pharmacists are available for free expert advice and to answer all your questions about your health and your current medications, so that you can feel fully supported on your health journey.

Our pharmacists are on hand Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Book your free consultation today! Book Now!

Most women will experience menopause at some point in their lives and this happens when our hormones start to change, and we no longer undergo monthly menstrual cycles. Menopause can occur naturally, as a result of surgery or cancer treatment, and genetics also play a role.

Approximately 13 million women in the UK are currently peri or menopausal*.

This accounts for 1/3 of the female population. However, due to a lack of awareness, a lack of training among some medical professionals and social stigma, women's needs during this critical life change are frequently ignored, undervalued, or overlooked.

Here at The Naked Pharmacy, we understand that going through the menopause, is a deeply personal transition and that no two menopause journeys are the same. This is why our promise to you as a woman, is to listen to your individual experience and support you and your journey - your choice.

*NHS England

What exactly is perimenopause and menopause?

Menopause is defined by the absence of having periods due to hormonal imbalances caused when our ovaries reduce the levels of oestrogen (the main female hormone) and progesterone. The average age is typically 51 years old but can begin from the age of 45 to 55 years old. However, this can always vary as our bodies are all unique. Many women may go through early menopause as a result of surgery or cancer treatment.

Perimenopause is the beginning phase of menopause where you may begin to experience the symptoms but not have the total absence of periods. Once your periods have stopped for 12 months, perimenopause is then transitioned into menopause.

Menopause - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

How does menopause affect your body?

Menopause and Perimenopause can cause interference in daily life, including relationships, work and everyday tasks and the severity of symptoms can vary from women to women. In fact, 13 million women in the UK suffer from menopause symptoms.

INFO – menopausesupport.co.uk

As our oestrogen levels deplete it can bring on an array of physical and psychological symptoms. Many women notice a reduced level of energy, mood changes and increased brain fog.

Menopause can also induce health conditions such as high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, weight gain and sugar level imbalance which can lead to type 2 diabetes as well as bone density loss causing osteoporosis and joint pain.

Symptoms of menopause

The NHS lists over 45 symptoms, all of which can cause a complex mix of both physical and mental feelings, each presenting themselves in a unique and unannounced fashion. Menopause is a natural biological process. But the physical symptoms, such as hot flushes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt your sleep, lower your energy or affect emotional health.

List of perimenopause and menopause symptoms – The menopause charity

It’s not unheard of for menopause to affect your mental health anxiety, low mood and irritability are all common experiences amongst many women. These symptoms are often not spoken about due to the social stigma regarding the subject of mental health. However, at The Naked Pharmacy, we are here to break that stigma.

Our pharmacists want to hear your story, know what you’ve done so far to alleviate your symptoms, what’s worked, what’s not worked – and discover how we can work alongside you to empower you with an alternative option, that might just be that missing thread in your menopausal web!

Book a free consultation with us!

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that many menopausal women rely on. It replaces the hormones with synthetic analogues of the natural oestrogen and progesterone found in our body to balance out the imbalance brought on by the onset of menopause. HRT comes in many formulations, ranging from oral tablets to topical gels, patches and more and it is primarily based on what you feel most comfortable with.

HRT and you: Navigating the hormone highway

HRT has been shown to relieve many menopausal women of many of their symptoms such as hot flushes, low libido, mood disruption and sleep disturbances.

But many women have concerns regarding HRT for several reasons – some women have underlying health issues that deter them from taking HRT or for others, the increased risk of breast, ovarian and womb cancer also plays a factor. It is important to note that the longer the HRT is taken for, the higher the risk.

Many women have also reported side effects of weight gain, migraines and mood swings whilst taking HRT which can be counterproductive as it is their symptoms which are already present during menopause.

https://www.themenopausecharity.org/

Can supplements replace Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Supplements and HRT can complement each other to work effectively in addressing physical and psychological health needs. Combining the two therapies can provide a comprehensive approach to combatting the symptoms of menopause whilst promoting long-term wellness and reducing the risks of health conditions that may arise in the future.

The British Menopause Society identified that 75% of women in the UK have been using supplements as complementary therapy with HRT to help with their symptoms.

Natural supplements are also a great alternative for women who are unable to tolerate HRT or choose not to take it due to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, endometrial cancer and certain cardiovascular conditions, as taking HRT can elevate the risks of unwanted health events from returning or happening.

At The Naked Pharmacy, we believe each woman’s unique journey should be treated as such. We understand that there is a place for conventional HRT alongside natural supplements and you can rest assured that our supplements have gone through standardised research and testing.

Natural supplements to support the menopause

Saffrosun Energy

Saffrosun Energy gives you that extra boost you need for the day. Aiding in mood, hormone imbalances and energy levels. Saffrosun Energy is created using organic Saffron extract sourced from Spain, Vitamin D3 and Iodine.

Our Saffron extract is formulated with three derivatives which play a key role in balancing your nervous system which demonstrates improvements in sleep quality, energy mood and brain fog.

Vitamin D3 sourced from marine algae will provide protection against bone loss density therefore reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Iodine plays a key role in many metabolic processes surrounding thyroid function which aids in energy levels and reducing fatigue

Saffrosun Calm

Saffrosun Calm contains Vitamin B12, replacing the Iodine that is found in Saffrosun Energy. Vitamin B12 has a positive impact on overall energy, combatting fatigue whilst regulating the sleep cycle to improve the quality of sleep, as well as keeping the nervous system healthy.

A 2021 study based on 82 participants taking saffron with the three main derivatives, showed a rise in mood and psychological symptoms associated with menopausal symptoms. The improvements were of similar effect to a standard antidepressant but with a significantly reduced number of side effects.

Worth its weight in gold

Oestrogen has a protective effect on the heart. During menopause oestrogen levels deplete and as they deplete the risk of heart disease can increase. As well as unhealthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight can increase along with sugar levels imbalance.

Menopause and heart and circulatory conditions - BHF

So, what can you do to help?

Metabolic Gold

Metabolic Gold is made with Artichoke Leaf extract and Citrus Bergamot which have been scientifically proven to target many vital organs in the body, such as the liver, pancreas and the heart. There are 4 active ingredients within the bergamot fruit which work on lowering levels of bad cholesterol and expelling fats before it is absorbed into our bloodstream, this can result in a reduction in fat stored particularly towards the waist.

Artichoke is an effective antioxidant and works hand in hand with Bergamot to stimulate cholesterol-reducing agents which can prevent the risk of heart disease in the future.

Stronger bones, stronger you

Osteoporosis is a condition when our bone density is very low and occurs due to lowered levels of oestrogen, and it’s vital we keep our bones healthy to prevent fractures in the future.

Menopause and Bone Loss | Endocrine Society

Marine Magnesium

Magnesium is often overlooked in our diets and many of us aren’t consuming it enough daily, however, it can be vital for our health.

Magnesium is one of the seven essential microminerals our body requires. It plays an important role in our metabolic processes, it promotes mood stability, reduces stress reduces the frequency of migraines and improves heart health. Magnesium also aids in maintaining healthy bone density and therefore has properties in preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures.

EPIC-Norfolk cohort study showed that low serum magnesium levels were associated with an increased risk of fractures in the spine, hips and wrist. The study concluded significance of healthy serum magnesium levels for the maintenance of bone health

An update on magnesium and bone health | BioMetals (springer.com)

Vitamin D3

Did you know that approximately 70% of women, around the world, who have gone through menopause are vitamin D deficient?

Our Vitamin D3 supplements equal up to 100% of the daily intake of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 works synergistically with the calcium in our bodies to build strong and healthy bones.

Vitamin D Deficiency: Widespread Effects in Postmenopausal Women (pharmacytimes.com)

Speak to our expert pharmacists today

A key element of our vision is accessibility to our expert advice service; allowing customers to make a personalised and considered decision when it comes to their health. 

Our pharmacists are on hand Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Book your free consultation today! Book Now!

Sophia Gurung

Sophia is GPhC registered pharmacist with experience in community pharmacy, along with a background in teaching children with ADHD and autism. Her passion for natural medicines has been deeply rooted since childhood, where she learned to appreciate the healing power of nature and the importance of holistic well-being. 

It's no secret that tech billionaires are spending fortunes to extend their lifespans, investing in cutting-edge research and experimental treatments.

However, you don’t need a billionaire’s bank account to unlock the secrets of a longer, healthier life.

Enter biohacking: a cutting-edge method of optimising both mind and body by harnessing the power of biology, technology, and self-experimentation, biohacking offers personalised strategies for peak performance.

Biohacking is becoming more widely known, with focus shifting from extending life to enhancing its quality. True longevity transcends the boundaries of physical health; it embraces mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being. Achieving this holistic state of vitality demands a multifaceted approach—one that seamlessly integrates diet, lifestyle, and natural therapies.

Below, we explore some of the latest biohacking techniques that can be woven into your daily routine, to make significant improvements in your health metrics (scientific test measures).

Sauna bathing

Sauna bathing has been used for centuries and originated from Finland for relaxation and now, research suggests that saunas are beneficial for heart health, reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol.

Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov)

For the best results of this biohack, aim for a temperature range of 175-195F (80-90C) with 10-20% humidity for a total of 30 minutes (no longer!) and complete three sessions a week. To see if sauna bathing is working for you, you’re going to want to measure blood markers of heart health such as cholesterol and markers of inflammation such as C-Reactive protein (CRP).

Cold exposure – The Wim Hof method

You might know of Wim Hof, often referred to as "The Iceman," a Dutch extreme athlete known for his extraordinary ability to withstand cold. He has gained widespread recognition for his method, known as the "Wim Hof Method," which combines breathing techniques, cold exposure, and meditation to improve physical and mental health. Cold exposure, a key component of the Wim Hof Method, involves subjecting the body to cold environments to elicit various physiological and psychological benefits. This practice can be considered a form of biohacking, as it leverages environmental stressors to optimise the body's functioning and performance. Cold exposure is a controlled stressor that triggers adaptive responses that improve the body's ability to handle future stress.

How to practice cold exposure therapy:

Cold showers: Starting with warm water and gradually reducing the temperature to cold.

Ice baths: Immersing the body in ice-cold water for short durations.

Benefits of cold exposure

Improved circulation: Alternating between cold and warm exposure can improve blood flow and cardiovascular health by strengthening blood vessels.

Enhanced immune function: Cold exposure has been shown to boost the production of white blood cells and increase overall immune function.

Increased brown fat activation: Cold exposure stimulates the production of brown adipose tissue (brown fat), which burns energy to produce heat and can aid in weight management.

Reduced inflammation: Cold exposure can reduce inflammatory responses in the body, potentially alleviating chronic pain and speeding up recovery from injuries.

Enhanced mood and mental clarity: The release of endorphins and norepinephrine during cold exposure can improve mood, increase alertness, and reduce symptoms of depression.

Brain games

There’s research that indicates that playing brain games like sudoku, crosswords, chess or scrabble can help improve cognitive abilities as you age, and there’s a correlation between declining cognition and increased mortality. Combatting the effects of ageing is a common goal for biohackers. Learning something new such as a game, language or hobby can help support neural pathways from decline and improve cognitive processing.

Cognitive Enhancement:

Adaptogens: Adaptogens are natural substances, typically derived from plants, that are believed to help the body adapt to stress, improve resilience, and restore balance. These substances are used in herbal medicine and are often included in supplements or functional foods. Adaptogens are said to work by supporting the body's ability to maintain homeostasis, especially during periods of physical or mental stress.

Examples include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Ginseng.

Nootropics: Often called "smart drugs," or cognitive enhancers. They are substances that aim to improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.

Natural nootropics like ginkgo biloba, and mushrooms are popular for their cognitive benefits.

The Key Differences between Adaptogens and Nootropics:

There can be some overlap, as certain adaptogens such as Rhodiola may also have mild nootropic effects by improving mental clarity and cognitive function indirectly through stress reduction and improved brain circulation.

Blood tests

Blood tests are considered a form of biohacking because they provide detailed insights into an individual's internal health and physiology, enabling more precise and personalised optimisation of diet, lifestyle, and supplementation. In biohacking, the goal is to enhance physical and mental performance, health, and well-being by making data-driven decisions. They also allow you to track progress and fine-tune your interventions to avoid the need for guesswork.

Nutrigenomics

Have you ever wondered why some people react differently to certain foods? Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of the interaction between nutrition and genes, with the goal of understanding how specific nutrients affect gene expression and overall health. By examining the genetic variations that influence individual responses to different foods and dietary patterns, nutrigenomics aims to provide personalised dietary recommendations to optimise health and prevent chronic diseases.

This field holds significant potential for promoting longevity by identifying the optimal diet for everyone based on their unique genetic makeup. By tailoring nutritional interventions to your genetic profile, it is possible to enhance metabolic efficiency, reduce the risk of age-related diseases, and improve your overall health span. 

Sleep

Sleep is the simplest biohack we can incorporate into our lives, however, with commitments, stress and worry, it can be hard to utilise. We all sleep but we don’t always sleep well.

Quality sleep is linked to improved blood sugar control and reduced stress. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is associated with increased inflammation, impaired immunity, and a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Because of its significant role in health and disease prevention, sleep has become a key target for biohackers. And now, you don’t have to guess how well you’re sleeping. Wearable devices like Whoop, Oura Ring, Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin smartwatches can easily track sleep data like sleep duration and time spent in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

A complete sleep cycle consists of all stages and REM sleep, typically lasting about 90-110 minutes. Throughout the night, individuals go through multiple cycles, with each subsequent cycle having a longer duration of REM sleep.

Natural Remedies such as Magnesium, chamomile, and lavender are well known for their calming effects and can help improve sleep quality.

Controversial biohacking

More controversial interventions have been explored by some well-known billionaires, experimenting with physical modifications to the body, such as implanting chips, magnets, or other devices to enhance physical and mental capabilities or integrate technology more closely with the human body.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is primarily known for his ventures in technology and space exploration, but he has also ventured into the biohacking space, particularly through his involvement with Neuralink. Founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink aims to develop advanced brain-machine interface (BMI) technology.

The goal is to create devices that can be implanted in the brain to facilitate direct communication between the brain and computers. The technology is intended to help people with neurological disorders, enhance cognitive abilities, and even enable symbiotic relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. In 2020,

DIY gene therapy

Another intervention is gene therapy is one of the newer forms of biohacking using something called CRISPR. This stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and it is being used to alter genes, predominantly to alter their physical features to their own tastes. Alternatively, this could be used to edit genes which are known to cause disease, however altering genes is a risky process, and the slightest error can be catastrophic.

Bryan Johnson

Then there is Bryan Johnson, 46-year-old the tech entrepreneur trying to live forever with several different hacks in place calling his mission Project Blueprint. He has 30 doctors at his disposal and spends $2 million dollars a year on his anti-aging lifestyle. This includes 30+ supplements every day, a rigid 1-hour exercise regime daily and strict vegan diet. Johnson revealed in 2023 that he’s injected himself with his 17-year-old teenage son’s blood to help keep him young. The goal is to get his 46-year-old organs to look and act like 18-year-old organs. Johnson says the data compiled by his doctors suggests that Blueprint has so far given him the bones of a 30-year-old, and the heart of a 37-year-old.

How do these futurist interventions make you feel? Do you think it is a great advancement in healthcare technology or a scary future that has crossed a moral line?

How do I choose which biohacking techniques to try?

Describe the problem you want to address

Using observations about your current health status and where you would like your health and wellness to go, identify a problem area you want to address.
For example, a problem could be, “My cholesterol is high. I want to improve my cholesterol levels.”

Create a hypothesis

Now it’s time to figure out what diet, lifestyle, exercise, or supplement interventions may be suitable to address your defined problem. This step requires some research. After some digging, select an intervention and make a hypothesis on how it will impact your health. Going off the cholesterol example, an example of a hypothesis for that problem could be, “Based on research, I predict that if I take Metabolic Gold for four months, my cholesterol will go down.”

Get a baseline measure

To know whether an intervention was successful, you need to know where you started. It’s important to get a baseline measure of the outcome you’re wanting to improve before taking steps to improve it. If you want to lower your cholesterol, you need to figure out what your baseline cholesterol is. This can be done by getting a blood test to find out your total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels.

Test the hypothesis

Now you’re ready to implement the intervention! If you’re testing out Metabolic Gold, you need to include it in your daily routine. You could set reminders on your phone to alert you initially to consolidate the new behaviour.

Evaluate and measure results

The only way to tell if the intervention is working is to measure it! Compare the data you collected before beginning the intervention to your new set of results to see the true change.

Refine the biohack

If the intervention or biohack you implemented worked, great! You can either refine it or keep going and try for greater improvements. Or you can try out a completely different biohack. Introducing one intervention at a time can help pinpoint what works and doesn’t work for you.

Charlotte Parker- Lennox 

Charlotte is a pharmacist with 6 years of experience working in retail pharmacy and integrated urgent care (IUC) alongside nurses, paramedics and doctors. She has changed the direction of her career to support people with a holistic approach to wellness by treating the root cause of your health concerns. She enjoys an outdoor challenge, completing marathons and cycling adventures around the UK.