A fairly new practice, biohacking is the desire to be the best version of ourselves. Confused? It is about making conscious changes to human biology with the intention to control or “hack” the way it functions.
Biohacking is the next level of self-improvement. It is taking personal development to a new level by using scientific quantification methods. The quantification method tracks a particular area of a persons’ life and measure improvements. The concept is often used to optimize mental performance, increase longevity and improve overall health.
The late Steve Jobs, besides his commitment to Apple, had predicted a wellness revolution when he said:
“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology. A new era is beginning”.
It is a fact that our century is understanding human biology with technological advancements as compared to the last couple of centuries. Individuals who are using technology to “hack” into their health understand clearly the meaning behind Steve jobs prediction. From tracking REM cycles to steps climbed, we are tracking all data for an enhanced understanding.
Why are we using biohacking?
The co-founder of Quantified Self Movement, Gary Wolf, says that tracking our daily activities helps to compare and experiment. The biohacks depend on emerging technologies such as the Nike+ devices and Fitbit using accelerometers to gain immediate valuable insights.
Wolf says:
“If we want to act more effectively in the world, we have to get to know ourselves better”.
Similarly, a Pittsburgh-based entrepreneurs and biohacker, Cullen Richardson operates biohacking activities with the intention to “maximise his biological potential”. After implementing a series of biohacks, Richardson noted improvements in his stress levels, sleep habits, mood and overall well-being. His relationships became stronger, emotions were balanced and he had a better body. Changes in his daily routine and diet provided him with mental clarity and a process of self-evolution.
Recommended Biohacking Apps
In the world of smartphones, biohacking performance tracking is best done with the assistance of apps. These biohacks apps and web tools will help you to quantify efforts and improve things you are targeting with biohacks. Absolutely anything can be done – stress management, sleep tracking, food logging and brand development.
As I understand, biohacking is akin to a personal scientific resource of how your body functions and taking steps to improve them. It is completely personalised set of data.
Here are some apps I believe will help you:
#1 Peak
A brain training app with 21 adaptive games that helps with improving cognitive skills, problem solving, focus and memory. Based on game performance, it suggests personalised workouts. A history of game performance is stored to monitor changes over a period of time.
The game was designed by education experts, gaming researchers, cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists.
#2 Lumosity
Another brain training app with 40+ games to improve brain’s cognitive ability. There are personalised training recommendations and tests to measure performance. Statistics show your level. Numerous studies confirm that Lumosity is really beneficial. The app works on the principles of neuroplasticity and is developed by neuroscientists.
#3 Sleep Cycle
The app lets you set a 30-minute alarm window and the purpose of the app is to monitor movement to determine your sleep cycle patterns. Its job is to ensure you wake up during the lightest part of the sleep. Why? This is because studies have shown that when you wake up during the lightest part of the sleep cycle, you are rested throughout the day than if you wake up during the deepest part of day.
#4 Pzizz
Pzizz is an app to help brain settle down for maximum sleep. Set the timer – choose either power nap or sleep. Plug in the headphones and start the app. It will play music and vocal cues soundtrack inspired by Neuro-linguistic Programming which works on the premise that language patterns can reprogram the brain. It also has binaural beats to change your brain waves and help to relax.
#5 Inner Balance
It is a great app to practice heart rate variability training. The app uses Inner Balance sensor that plugs into your phone and connects to the earlobe and monitors the heart rate. While measuring your heart rate, it coaches you to alter breathing to impact the heart beats.
The result is stress and fatigue elimination and focus improvement.
#6 Head Space
It is a meditation coaching app which, over a course of 10 days, teaching you to meditate for 10 minutes per day. Once the learning phase is over, you can choose from guided and unguided meditations of varied lengths to meditate whenever and wherever you need.
#7 Om Vana
An app for meditation, sleep improvement, mood uplifting and focus. There are over 500 inspirational tracks pertaining to all aspects of our lives – lifestyle, relationships, health and happiness. There are binaural beats, guided meditation and inspirational speeches.
#8 Stress Check
The app uses phone camera to measure heart and estimate the level of stress. When stress level increases, the heart level increases. It analyses heart rate variability – it is the amount of time between heartbeats, and the heartbeats become erratic as stress increases. It gives an accurate reading of your stress level.
#9 Balanced
An app with the purpose to motivate you and enhance focus levels. You can prioritize and schedule tasks, complete tasks, receive positive feedback and suggests 50+ activities to increase happiness and productivity.
#10 Level
A budgeting app to help you reach a financial goal from the current financial status. It gives a track of your income, savings, bills, month spendable amounts, purchases, investments and more. The app gives a comprehensive picture of your financial status.
Endnote
These are just 10 of available biohacking apps. There are more of them available to enhance every aspect of your life. Happy biohacking!
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