Why biohacking sends the wrong messages about the pursuit of health and longevity

There are few concepts in the longevity space that inspire my disdain more than the b-word: biohacking – the notion that individuals can enhance health, performance, and lifespan by adopting an array of experimental, esoteric, and often expensive interventions, from over-the-counter supplements and “DNA diets” to young blood transfusions and implanted computer chips or magnets.

The very term “biohacking” feels to me like an affront to those of us who strive to help others achieve meaningful improvements in health and quality of life. It seems to imply the existence of shortcuts to health and longevity, such that those who are in-the-know and have sufficient disposable income might circumvent the need for consistent adherence to tried-and-true approaches like exercise, nutrition, and good sleep.

And yet, much to my chagrin, the popularity of this concept persists. Though I despise the thought of biohacking being associated with my work, I’m asked about it often, so I’d like to take a moment to make my thoughts on this subject as clear as possible. In this short video, I share the reasoning behind my belief that biohacking sends the wrong messages about the pursuit of a longer, healthier life, distracting from the interventions and lifestyle approaches that really matter for achieving that ultimate goal.

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About:

The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.

Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan.

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[ctcanadian]

“A low tolerance for buffoonery” - pure gold! I’m with you on that brother. You be you, and let them hack.

[kathycook]

I appreciate your candidness. Thank you (and your wife!) for your honesty as you take us on your exploration of topics that get under your skin. I feel like you're protecting us from the b..s..t that's out there and have our best interests at heart.

[daveebert]

A quote " I'd rather have a millionaires mind set, discipline and determination then have a million dollars". People forget the mind body connection, the fortitude to carry on when things get tough, the don't quit attitude. You dont get that from a pill or a treatment, you get that from doing the work. My dad lived to 96 and the doctors said he was just too stubborn to give in.

[KenE]

As far as I have noticed, the kind of people who are wanting to spend big money for these kinds of new therapies are already doing all of the "free" things.
They are already doing the exercise and getting the extra sleep and optimising diet and they are chasing this as something extra, not as a substitute for exercise.

[karolinadomaranczyk]

Thank you Peter Attia for saying this out loud and helping to change the narrative on what matters 👏🙏

[HannahIm]

I love your distinction between just wasting money and wasting mental focus.

[dsouza]

Glad you expanded on this after the Chris Williamson podcast.

[fransinigiraldo]

Dr. Attia: I love how you mention the feedback from your wife and how she gives you her honest appreciation of your reactions. It takes a great team to give that advise and to accept it as well. That's a wonderful manifestation of love: honest, supportive, pragmatic. I also identify with you w the zero tolerance w buffoonery LOL. I do my best to work on my reactions to it. Work in progress... breathe....

[rogertolar]

Thank you, again, Peter, for validating what I preach to my patients every day and have been for years. Those 1amp switches don’t even matter if the 100 amp switches aren’t on!!!

[Vinato]

Honestly, you are the only doctor that I can believe. Too many people just hyped those unproven techs or techs with anecdotal evidence at best

[annemckinzey]

Thank you for making this video, Dr. Attia!!!
You have given Amy of us a resource to share.
“Distraction from what actually works, ” perfect!!! 2:10

[valdius]

For these who own a slightly bigger space, a set of four dumbbells and a pull up bar can account for 80% of gym.

Do some exercises every day and you’re sorted.

I paid around $150 many years ago and never visited gym since then.

One can run everywhere so just decent flat shoes that can fit all five toes are good.

[playitbyearny]

This is exactly why I love your content ❤ you keep it real and trustworthy 🎉don’t stop!!

[johnsnow]

Great comment and we're ok with the angry Peter. I watched Mark Hyman's daily routine yesterday and while I respect the guy I had the same feeling at the end of the podcast. True along the way he pointed out the basics and what was strictly TBD interventions (i.e. hyperbaric O2), but there was still the feeling that one needs to spend a couple grand a month in order to reverse the clock when just focusing on eating healthy, exercising, sleep hygiene, getting outdoors, and socializing will yield the maximum bang for your buck. And it is all free.

Sure throw in vitamin D, Mg, omega 3, and some extra leucine rich protein if you have some extra money and you'll optimize things, but in no way do you have to be spending thousand of dollars to extend your life. In fact if you speak to most centenarians they never spent a day in the gym but just ate well, stayed active, and social.

[hugskisses]

Thank you Peter for that little rant!I agree with you 100%!Eat well, exercise, get plenty of sun while you ground have good circle of friends and don’t take yourself too seriously doesn’t cost a penny.Add on few crucial and affordable supplement and you will be just fine

[pedro.almeida]

To be fair, Bryan is doing these things on top of a solid foundation of diet, sleep and exercise. For me seeing the guy try everything to reach those marginal gains, doesn't bother me in the least and while it's only one guy, in the end it might be enough for us to look back and say that it didn't matter one iota, and that's fine because one can't think of anything that the guy didn't do.

[scottspringer]

This was so good. It’s the ongoing conversation we want to have with everyone…. all the time. How’s your nutrition, sleep habits, movement activities, your interpersonal relationships, your time outside….. you hit all of it in just a few minutes. I’m gonna quit the metformin, seamen retention, and wearing blue blockers all day and get a gym membership…….thanks for calling out bullshit when you see it.

[deanmay]

This video is why I think Peter Attia is all that plus tax and a bag chips! Just a great guy! Love his insights.

[robbie_stevens_]

I would really appreciate you having a conversation with Bryan Johnson and his doctor about this topic. I recently saw the Dr Mike interview with Bryan and it was great hearing the different arguments in a respectful discussion. Please make this happen!

[DrBradStanfield]

Fully agree. Did a very similar video to this on my channel a couple of months ago