HOW YOUR GENES DECIDE THE ROI OF YOUR BIOHACKS
Discover Why Your DNA Holds the Key to Whether Popular Biohacks Will Work for You or Against You
KASHIF KHAN
2024
Quantum University Alumnus
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Spend any time in the biohacking world and you’ll see people religiously plunging into cold water, taking supplements, and spending their mornings in front of red light panels. With so much evidence that these biohacks work–the research, testimonials, and intelligently marketed products–it’s hard to think that they wouldn’t work for you.
But despite the evidence and enthusiasm for popular biohacks, the truth is that what works for one person might not work, or could even cause harm, for you. The reason for this lies in your DNA.
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The 0.01% Is What Matters
Humans share 99.99% of their DNA, which is why the basics of health are universal. But within the remaining 0.01% lie millions of base pairs that are different from one to the next. These crucial genetic differences make or break the effectiveness of biohacks alike. In fact, they determine whether a specific intervention will enhance your health or undermine it.
Take cold exposure as an example. Cold plunges are promoted as a powerful fat loss tool. Indeed, when you step into a bath of icy water, it almost feels like fat is melting off your body. Many biohackers swear by it as a staple in their health routines.
But here’s the catch. Whether cold exposure helps you burn fat or does the opposite depends on your genetics–specifically, your UCP1 gene.
Kashif Khan
Humans share 99.99% of their DNA
Cold Exposure’s Hidden Variable
The UCP1 gene encodes a protein called uncoupling protein 1, which plays a pivotal role in regulating heat production in brown adipose tissue (brown fat). UCP1 is located in the mitochondria and allows the body to generate heat by burning calories, especially in response to cold. This process is what makes cold exposure an effective fat-burning tool for some.
However, not everyone has the same version of this gene, and these variations dramatically alter how your body responds to cold.
People with the AA variant have an optimal ability to generate heat through brown fat and maintain a normal resting metabolism. For these individuals, cold plunging enhances fat burning and improves metabolic health.
However, those with AG or GG variations face a different reality. Their UCP1 gene functions suboptimally, and they have a reduced ability to produce heat. This means that instead of burning calories, their bodies struggle to stay warm. When the body can’t generate enough heat, it compensates by increasing cortisol and reducing overall metabolism as a survival mechanism. This stress response promotes fat storage, particularly in the abdomen and thighs, rather than fat burning.
So while cold plunges may be a metabolic boost for some, for others, they could do more harm than good.
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Red Light Therapy: Another Biohack Influenced by Genetics
Red light therapy is another biohack that garners attention for its range of benefits. Namely, enhanced mitochondrial function. The premise is simple: red light penetrates the skin, reaching the mitochondria. This boosts energy production especially by enhancing the activity of cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This boost in mitochondrial function can leads to better cellular health, faster recovery, and anti-aging effects.
But, as with cold exposure, the benefits of red light therapy aren’t universal. Some people report dramatic improvements, while others feel little to no effect. Why the disparity? Once again, genetics.
The key player here is the SOD2 gene, which encodes the enzyme superoxide dismutase 2. This enzyme is crucial for protecting the mitochondria from oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are harmful byproducts of energy production.
People with certain variations of the SOD2 gene have a more efficient version of the enzyme, allowing their mitochondria to function smoothly and maintain higher levels of energy production. These individuals experience less mitochondrial damage from ROS and, as a result, may not feel the dramatic benefits of red light therapy. Their mitochondria are already operating efficiently and do not need a boost from red light.
On the other hand, individuals with less effective versions of the SOD2 gene might have mitochondrial dysfunction due to accumulated oxidative damage. For them, red light therapy could offer a significant boost in mitochondrial performance, leading to noticeable improvements in energy levels, recovery, and overall well-being. This can be a problem because instead of addressing the root cause of mitochondrial dysfunction, these people may rely on red light therapy to mask their sypmtoms.
Kashif Khan
Red Light Therapy is influenced by Genetics
The Future of Biohacking: Personalization Through Genetic Testing
What these examples show is that not all biohacks are created equal for everyone. Genetics play a massive role in determining whether an intervention will deliver benefits, have minimal impact, or cause harm. While the biohacking community often promotes various tools and strategies as universal, the reality is nuanced.
As the science of genetics continues to advance, biohackers are starting to realize that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. The future of biohacking lies in personalization. Genetic testing is becoming more accessible, and with the right insights, biohackers can fine-tune their interventions to maximize their return on investment.
Imagine knowing whether cold plunges will help you lose fat or trigger stress-induced fat gain before you ever step into an ice bath. Or understanding whether red light therapy will supercharge your mitochondria or simply be an expensive light show. With personalized biohacking, these insights will become the norm.
Biohacking is all about optimizing health and performance. But to truly optimize, we need to look beyond generic protocols and start embracing the power of understanding your DNA. By aligning our biohacks with our unique genetic code, we can unlock levels of health and longevity that were previously out of reach.
