What is Biohacking? Summary

• DIY Biology: Biohacking is the practice of applying a “hacker” mindset – experimental, innovative, and often DIY – to biology, particularly one’s own biology.
• A Broad Spectrum: It encompasses a wide range of activities, from simple dietary changes and fitness tracking to more advanced interventions like genetic engineering and nootropics.
• Citizen Science: Many biohackers are “citizen scientists” who conduct experiments outside of traditional academic or corporate settings.
• Self-Experimentation: A key element is self-experimentation – trying things out on oneself to see what works (and what doesn’t).
• “Hacking” the Body: The goal is often to improve physical or cognitive performance, health, or longevity – to “hack” the body’s systems.
• Beyond Supplements: While some biohacking involves taking supplements or changing diet, it can also involve more radical interventions, such as implanting devices or modifying one’s own DNA.
• Ethical Considerations: Biohacking raises significant ethical concerns about safety, accessibility, and the potential for unintended consequences.
• Potential Connections to Bioelectricity: Some forms of biohacking, like experimenting with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), directly target the body’s electrical systems, though using non-cellular methods unlike bioelectricity approach pioneered from Dr. Levin.
• Not equivalent, nor sufficient: “Hacking” may often denote the modification of current functions, with possible incremental improvements; where bioelectricity represents deeper-level, and fundamental information layer with vast changes that can be possible. They may and can have overlap.  But one represents very significant research that shifts biology paradigm; other does not necessarily follow it: Biohacking represents general spirit and/or modification method and does NOT involve the deeper changes that has been established in regenerative medicine/bioelectric discovery field.
• Anatomical compiler requires much more BioCompiler implies an extraordinary tool of control/growth; unlike DIY method of biohacking today, they don’t exhibit that capability!

The Hacker Ethos Applied to Biology

Think of the classic image of a computer hacker: someone who tinkers with computer systems, explores their limits, finds unconventional solutions, and often works outside of established institutions. Biohacking takes that same “hacker” mindset and applies it to *biology*, particularly to one’s own body and mind.

Biohacking is about taking a *do-it-yourself (DIY)* approach to biology. It’s about experimenting, innovating, and finding unconventional ways to improve health, performance, and well-being. It’s about “hacking” the body’s systems to achieve desired outcomes.

A Spectrum of Activities: From Simple to Extreme

Biohacking encompasses a *very* wide range of activities. Some are relatively simple and low-risk, while others are much more experimental and potentially dangerous. Examples include:

• Dietary Changes: Following a specific diet (keto, paleo, vegan, etc.) to optimize health or performance.
• Exercise Regimes: Experimenting with different workout routines, intensity levels, or training techniques.
• Sleep Optimization: Using tracking devices, light therapy, or other methods to improve sleep quality.
• Supplement Use: Taking vitamins, minerals, or other supplements to boost cognitive function, energy levels, or overall health.
• Nootropics: Taking “smart drugs” or substances that are purported to enhance cognitive abilities. (The efficacy and safety of many nootropics are debated.)
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing techniques to improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance mental well-being.
• Cold Exposure/Heat Exposure Regular cold-water immersion, cold shower; sauna bathing/sweat lodge etc.
• Genetic Testing: Getting one’s DNA sequenced to identify genetic predispositions to certain conditions or traits.
• Fasting A common element within health practice that involve metabolic control, possibly connected with bio-electic regulation.
• Biofeedback: Using sensors to monitor physiological signals (heart rate, brainwaves, etc.) and learn to control them.
• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): Applying a weak electrical current to the scalp to try to modulate brain activity (very different process when compared with tissue regeneration).
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): Using electrical impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can have effects on mood, inflammation, and other bodily functions (note: medical-grade VNS is an established therapy for certain conditions; DIY VNS is more experimental).
• Implantable Devices: Implanting RFID chips, magnets, or other devices under the skin (this is a more extreme and controversial form of biohacking).
• DIY Genetic Engineering: Using CRISPR or other gene-editing tools to modify one’s own DNA (this is highly experimental and raises serious ethical and safety concerns).

Citizen Science and the DIY Ethos

Many biohackers identify as “citizen scientists.” They conduct experiments outside of traditional academic or corporate research settings, often in their own homes or in community labs. They believe that scientific knowledge should be accessible to everyone, and that individuals should have the right to experiment with their own bodies.

This DIY ethos is a key part of the “punk” in biohacking. It’s about taking control of one’s own biology, rather than passively accepting the dictates of doctors or corporations.

Self-Experimentation: The Core of Biohacking

Self-experimentation is at the heart of biohacking. Biohackers try things out on themselves to see what works (and what doesn’t). They might track their sleep patterns, measure their blood glucose levels, test different diets, or experiment with nootropics, carefully monitoring the effects on their body and mind.

This approach has a long history in science. Many important scientific discoveries have been made through self-experimentation. However, it also carries risks. It’s essential to be cautious, do thorough research, and understand the potential dangers before trying anything new.

Bioelectricity: A Potential Target for Biohackers (But *Not* the Same as Levin’s Work)

Some forms of biohacking directly target the body’s electrical systems. For example:

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): This involves applying a weak electrical current to the scalp using electrodes. Some biohackers use tDCS to try to enhance cognitive function, improve mood, or learn new skills. *However*, tDCS affects existing neural circuits; it is very different than the slow, steady voltage gradients across non-neural cells, which forms core ideas and experiments by Michael Levin’s group.
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): The vagus nerve is a major nerve that connects the brain to many organs in the body. VNS, typically with a small device similar to tDCS method (applying direct electrical pulses), had also been used; the mechanism/effect are distinct. It does *not* replicate regenerative medical results found by manipulation of membrane potentials as described in Levin’s publications.
• Biofeedback: Using sensors to measure brainwaves (EEG) or other physiological signals and learn to control them consciously.

• Note that those electrical techniques can and often show positive impacts on various cognitive, learning function.

It’s important to emphasize that these biohacking approaches are *fundamentally different* from the research of Michael Levin and colleagues on developmental bioelectricity. Levin’s work focuses on the *endogenous*, *non-neural* bioelectric signals that control *morphogenesis* (development and regeneration). These are *slow, steady-state voltage gradients* across tissues, not the rapid electrical pulses used in tDCS or VNS, nor electrical signals associated to existing nerve connections (e.g. VNS impacting nerve regulation).

While biohackers might be interested in exploring ways to manipulate bioelectric signals for health or performance enhancement, they are typically not working at the level of cellular communication and pattern formation that is central to Levin’s work and a potential ‘Anatomical Compiler’. The current known methods have not reached the degree nor sophistication for anatomical, regenerative change that Bioelectricity research proposes as possibilities.

The Anatomical Compiler: Far Beyond Current Biohacking

The Anatomical Compiler – the hypothetical system for “programming” biological form – represents a level of control over biology that is *far beyond* what current biohacking techniques can achieve. Biohackers might be able to tweak existing biological functions, but they can’t (yet) regrow limbs, create new organs, or fundamentally alter body plans. Current biohacking could form tools to possibly interface (e.g. voltage stimulation) with biological tissue/pathways, but remain very rudimentary when compare with core morphogenetic research in this field (Dr. Levin and etc.)

Ethical Considerations: A Risky Business?

Biohacking raises many ethical concerns:

• Safety: Self-experimentation can be dangerous, especially with more invasive or experimental techniques. There’s a risk of infection, unintended side effects, and long-term harm.
• Accessibility: Some biohacking techniques are expensive, raising concerns about equity and access. Could this create a divide between the “bio-enhanced” and the “unenhanced”?
• Regulation: Should biohacking be regulated? If so, how? It’s a difficult area to regulate, as it’s often decentralized and involves individuals experimenting on themselves.
• Unintended Consequences: Even seemingly harmless interventions could have unforeseen long-term consequences, both for individuals and for society.

Conclusion: Innovation and Responsibility

Biohacking is a fascinating and rapidly evolving field. It represents a spirit of innovation, experimentation, and a desire to take control of one’s own biology. However, it also carries significant risks and ethical challenges. As with any powerful technology, it’s essential to proceed with caution, critical thinking, and a deep respect for the complexity of biological systems. It should not, by itself, define any advancement as profound, nor significant/capable as those represented within bioelectricity. It offers interesting “modification”, on what capabilities bioelectricity discoveries may potentially establish (toward target morphology and control.)

什么是生物黑客 (Biohacking)？摘要

• DIY 生物学： 生物黑客是将“黑客”思维方式 —— 实验性、创新性，通常是 DIY —— 应用于生物学，特别是应用于自身生物学的实践。
• 广泛的范围： 它涵盖了广泛的活动，从简单的饮食改变和健身跟踪到更高级的干预措施，如基因工程和益智药。
• 公民科学： 许多生物黑客是“公民科学家”，他们在传统的学术或企业环境之外进行实验。
• 自我实验： 一个关键要素是自我实验 —— 在自己身上尝试事物，看看什么是有效的（什么无效）。
• “黑”进身体： 目标通常是改善身体或认知能力、健康或长寿 ——“黑”进身体的系统。
• 不仅仅是补充剂： 虽然一些生物黑客涉及服用补充剂或改变饮食，但它也可能涉及更激进的干预措施，例如植入设备或修改自己的 DNA。
• 伦理考量： 生物黑客引发了关于安全性、可及性以及意外后果的可能性的重大伦理问题。
• 与生物电的潜在联系： 某些形式的生物黑客，如经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS) 或迷走神经刺激 (VNS) 的实验，直接靶向身体的电系统, 尽管使用的方法不同于Levin博士的生物电方法。
• 不等同，也不充分：“黑客”通常可能表示对当前功能的修改，可能具有渐进式的改进；而生物电代表更深层次、基本的信息层，具有可能发生的巨大变化。它们可能并且可以有重叠。但一个代表了转变生物学范式的非常重要的研究；另一个不一定遵循它：生物黑客代表一般的精神和/或修改方法，并且*不*涉及再生医学/生物电发现领域中已确立的更深层次的变化。
• 解剖编译器需要更多：生物编译器意味着一种非凡的控制/生长工具；与当今的生物黑客 DIY 方法不同，它们不具备这种能力！

应用于生物学的黑客精神

想想计算机黑客的经典形象：一个修补计算机系统、探索其极限、找到非常规解决方案，并且经常在既定机构之外工作的人。生物黑客采用相同的“黑客”思维方式，并将其应用于*生物学*，特别是应用于自己的身体和思想。

生物黑客是关于采取一种*自己动手 (DIY)* 的方法来进行生物学。它是关于实验、创新和寻找非常规的方法来改善健康、表现和福祉。它是关于“黑”进身体的系统以实现期望的结果。

广泛的活动：从简单到极端

生物黑客涵盖了*非常*广泛的活动。有些相对简单且风险较低，而另一些则更具实验性且具有潜在危险。例子包括：

• 饮食改变： 遵循特定的饮食（生酮饮食、原始饮食、素食等）以优化健康或表现。
• 锻炼方案： 尝试不同的锻炼程序、强度水平或训练技术。
• 睡眠优化： 使用跟踪设备、光疗法或其他方法来改善睡眠质量。
• 补充剂使用： 服用维生素、矿物质或其他补充剂来增强认知功能、能量水平或整体健康。
• 益智药： 服用“聪明药”或据称可以增强认知能力的物质。（许多益智药的功效和安全性存在争议。）
• 正念和冥想： 练习技巧以提高注意力、减轻压力和增强心理健康。
• 冷暴露/热暴露： 定期冷水浸泡、冷水淋浴；桑拿浴/汗蒸房等。
• 基因检测： 对自己的 DNA 进行测序，以识别对某些疾病或特征的遗传易感性。
• 禁食：健康实践中的一个常见要素，涉及代谢控制，可能与生物电调节有关。
• 生物反馈： 使用传感器监测生理信号（心率、脑电波等）并学习控制它们。
• 经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS)： 对头皮施加微弱电流以尝试调节大脑活动（与生物电研究的组织再生修复等，非常不同的过程）。
• 迷走神经刺激 (VNS)： 使用电脉冲刺激迷走神经，这会对情绪、炎症和其他身体功能产生影响（注意：医疗级 VNS 是针对某些疾病的既定疗法；DIY VNS 更具实验性）。
• 植入设备： 在皮肤下植入 RFID 芯片、磁铁或其他设备（这是一种更极端和有争议的生物黑客形式）。
• DIY 基因工程： 使用 CRISPR 或其他基因编辑工具修改自己的 DNA（这具有高度实验性，并引发严重的伦理和安全问题）。

公民科学和 DIY 精神

许多生物黑客将自己标识为“公民科学家”。他们在传统的学术或企业研究环境之外进行实验，通常在他们自己的家中或社区实验室中。他们认为科学知识应该对每个人都开放，并且个人应该有权在自己的身体上进行实验。

这种 DIY 精神是生物黑客中“朋克”的关键部分。这是关于控制自己的生物学，而不是被动地接受医生或公司的指示。

自我实验：生物黑客的核心

自我实验是生物黑客的核心。生物黑客在自己身上尝试事物，看看什么是有效的（什么无效）。他们可能会跟踪自己的睡眠模式，测量自己的血糖水平，测试不同的饮食，或尝试益智药，仔细监测对他们身体和思想的影响。

这种方法在科学中有着悠久的历史。许多重要的科学发现都是通过自我实验做出的。但是，它也存在风险。在尝试任何新事物之前，务必谨慎、进行彻底的研究并了解潜在的危险。

生物电：生物黑客的潜在目标（但与 Levin 的工作*不同*）

某些形式的生物黑客直接针对身体的电系统。例如：

• 经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS): 这涉及使用电极对头皮施加微弱电流。一些生物黑客使用 tDCS 尝试增强认知功能、改善情绪或学习新技能。*然而*，tDCS 影响现有的神经回路；它与 Michael Levin 小组研究核心的，跨越非神经细胞的缓慢、稳定的电压梯度非常不同。
• 迷走神经刺激 (VNS): 迷走神经是将大脑连接到身体许多器官的主要神经。VNS，通常使用类似于 tDCS 方法的小型设备（施加直接电脉冲），也已被使用；机制/效果是不同的。它*不*复制通过操纵膜电位发现的再生医学结果，如 Levin 出版物中所述。
• 生物反馈： 使用传感器测量脑电波 (EEG) 或其他生理信号，并学习有意识地控制它们。

• 请注意，这些电技术可以并且经常显示出对各种认知、学习功能的积极影响。

重要的是要强调，这些生物黑客方法与 Michael Levin 及其同事关于发育生物电的研究有着*根本的不同*。Levin 的工作侧重于控制*形态发生*（发育和再生）的*内源性*、*非神经性*生物电信号。这些是跨组织的*缓慢、稳态的电压梯度*，而不是 tDCS 或 VNS 中使用的快速电脉冲，也不是与现有神经连接相关的电信号（例如影响神经调节的 VNS）。

虽然生物黑客可能有兴趣探索操纵生物电信号以促进健康或提高表现的方法，但他们通常不是在细胞通讯和模式形成的水平上工作，而这对于 Levin 的工作和潜在的“解剖编译器”至关重要. 目前已知的方法尚未达到生物电研究提出的可能性程度或复杂性。

解剖编译器：远超当前的生物黑客

解剖编译器 —— 用于“编程”生物形态的假设系统 —— 代表了对生物学的控制水平，这*远远超出*了当前生物黑客技术所能达到的水平。生物黑客也许能够调整现有的生物功能，但他们（还）不能再生四肢、创造新器官或从根本上改变身体计划。当前的生物黑客可以形成工具，可能与生物组织/通路接口（例如电压刺激），但在与该领域（Levin 博士等）的核心形态发生研究相比时，仍然非常初级。

伦理考量：一项冒险的事业？

生物黑客引发了许多伦理问题：

• 安全性： 自我实验可能是危险的，尤其是对于更具侵入性或实验性的技术。存在感染、意外副作用和长期危害的风险。
• 可及性： 一些生物黑客技术很昂贵，引发了关于公平和可及性的担忧。这会在“生物增强”和“未增强”之间造成鸿沟吗？
• 监管： 生物黑客应该受到监管吗？如果是这样，如何监管？这是一个难以监管的领域，因为它通常是分散的，并且涉及个人在自己身上进行实验。
• 意外后果： 即使是看似无害的干预措施也可能对个人和社会产生无法预见的长期后果。

结论：创新与责任

生物黑客是一个引人入胜且快速发展的领域。它代表了一种创新、实验和掌控自己生物学的愿望。然而，它也带来了重大的风险和伦理挑战。与任何强大的技术一样，必须谨慎行事、批判性思考，并深刻尊重生物系统的复杂性。它本身不应该定义任何深刻的进步，也不应该定义生物电所代表的重大/能力。它提供了有趣的“修改”，关于生物电发现可能建立什么能力（朝向目标形态和控制）。