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Biohacking vs. Neuroenhancement - What Is the Difference?

Biohacking vs. Neuroenhancement - What Is the Difference?

Sep 16 Sean Orr, M.D.

A Brave New Brain

Many of us face issues like mental fatigue and cognitive decline that impact our productivity and life. Traditional solutions often don’t cut it as they often leave people feeling stuck and searching for better options.

A lack of access to competent, caring health care has only compounded the sense of frustration among many who feel alienated and dispossessed by an unfeeling system. For those who do possess access to ample resources, there is an emerging matrix of solutions or strategies that provide progress, direction, and promise for alleviation of symptoms and expansion of capabilities. These emerging methods use the latest science to elevate brain function and mental performance. 

The practices of "biohacking" and "neuroenhancement" describe this matrix, but there are important distinctions between the two pursuits. How do they differ from each other, and which one should you go for? Read on to know the answer.

Biohacking

Biohacking, or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) biology, involves changing the body or biology using various methods that are not considered strictly medical in nature. Biohacking aims to optimize cell nutrition for better physical and mental performance, health, and longevity.

Factors

·         Lifestyle Changes

Biohackers often start with lifestyle changes such as diet adjustments, exercise routines, and sleep optimization. They use data from wearable technology to monitor and tweak these factors to improve overall well-being.

·         Brain Stimulation

Numerous wellness devices are available on the market which promise to deliver improved brain function.  Various headsets incorporate monitors and/or stimulators that detect or alter the state of the brain.  These devices are relatively safe and thus do not fall under the regulatory framework of the FDA.

·         Nutritional Supplements

Biohacking also includes using nutritional supplements. For example, nootropics are supplements claimed to enhance cognitive function. Common nootropics include caffeine, ginkgo biloba, maca, ashwagandha, and adaptogenic mushrooms.

The ideal nootropic combines supplements that take advantage of numerous mechanisms to synergistically improve the function of the brain. 

  • Choline - precursor of acetylcholine, boosting memory and enhancing cognitive function. Reduces brain inflammation.
  • Phosphatidylserine
  • Bacopa Monnieri
  • Huperzine A - increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain.
  • Vanadyl - promotes glucose uptake by the brain.

  • Inositol - improves brain glucose utilization.

·         Genetic and Molecular Interventions

More advanced biohacking involves genetic and molecular modifications. This can include CRISPR technology to edit genes or taking nootropic drugs to alter neurotransmitter levels. Using such methods may increase cognitive abilities, physical performance, or resistance to diseases. However, these are largely being performed outside the realm of medical regulation and carry significant risk for self-injury.

Neuroenhancement

Neuroenhancement explicitly involves the use of medical devices and medications to improve brain function. It uses various technologies and methods to boost cognitive abilities, mental health, and overall brain performance. The regulatory framework recognizes the fact that these strategies carry significant risk for harm and thus should be overseen by a competent, licensed practitioner.

One important distinction from biohacking is that neuroenhancement utilizes "precision medicine" to individualize therapy based on insights gleaned from testing. 

Factors

·         Cognitive Training

One method of neuroenhancement is cognitive training. This involves exercises and games designed to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Apps and software offer personalized training programs to target specific cognitive areas. Not all apps deliver results, however, so one should be careful to select software that has been validated and shown to deliver reproducible results. 

·         Brain Stimulation

Another approach to enhance cognition is brain stimulation. Techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) use electrical or magnetic fields to enhance brain activity. These methods can improve mood, cognitive function, and mental health conditions.

·         Pharmaceutical Interventions

Prescription medications such as modafinil and amphetamine salts may be used in an off-label fashion to increase focus and cognitive performance. These drugs work by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Other medications like lamotrigine may increase the density of neurons and their interconnections.  Even lithium, a standard treatment for bipolar disorder, is showing promise as a neuroprotective medication. As positive as these effects may be, they do carry the risk of significant negative side effects and thus ought to be used only under close medical supervision.

Differences Between Biohacking and Neuroenhancement

1.     Scope and Focus

Biohacking uses different methods to boost your health and performance in general, and they are generally less risky and thus adopted by many DIY-ers. Neuroenhancement, on the other hand, is more specific and concentrates on making your brain work better through the use of medical devices and medications.

2.     Techniques and Methods

Biohacking uses different brain building strategies that are unregulated in order to make it easier to change the brain, making it easier to get the results we want. On the other hand, neuroenhancement focuses more on sharpening our brainpower through specific strategies such as mental exercises, stimulating our brain, and sometimes using medications.

3.     Goals and Applications

Biohacking is all about enhancing overall health, living longer, and boosting both the body and mind. It covers everything from getting fit to fighting off diseases. Meanwhile, neuroenhancement focuses in on improving the way our brain works, boosting our mental well-being and sharpening our cognitive skills.

Conclusion

Biohacking and neuroenhancement are both about the elevation of human capabilities, but they go about it in different ways. Biohacking enhances your whole body and health, including your brain, muscles, and even your genes, using a variety of methods.

On the other hand, neuroenhancement focuses on making your brain work better through exercises, electrical stimulation, or medications.

If you are looking for high-quality supplements designed with both goals of these methods, order from Action Potential Supplements:

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Citations

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  2. Munafò, A., Cantone, A. F., Di Benedetto, G., Torrisi, S. A., Burgaletto, C., Bellanca, C. M., Gaudio, G., Broggi, G., Caltabiano, R., Leggio, G. M., Bernardini, R., & Cantarella, G. (2024). Pharmacological enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission alleviates neuroinflammation and improves functional outcomes in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 15, 1386224. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1386224
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