PriMera Scientific Surgical Research and Practice (ISSN: 2836-0028)

Book-Review

Volume 8 Issue 1

Beyond Longevity: Biohacking Human Potential Through Nature, Science, and Self-Optimization

Christina Rahm*

July 21, 2026

DOI : 10.56831/PSSRP-08-281

Abstract

This research offers an extensive and interdisciplinary exploration of biohacking as a transformative paradigm for healthy aging, longevity, and optimized human performance. At the core of this investigation is the strategic use of natural, root-derived compounds alongside plant-, herb-, and mineral-based bioactives as foundational tools within biohacking frameworks. By integrating contemporary scientific research, ancestral healing traditions, and emerging biohacking technologies, the study presents biohacking as a systems-based approach that addresses the interconnected dimensions of emotional, mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, metabolic, and sexual health. The paper examines how biohacking methodologies such as personalized nutrition, targeted supplementation, physical training, sleep optimization, stress regulation, cognitive enhancement, environmental awareness, and mindfulness practices interact synergistically with natural compounds to influence cellular health and biological resilience. Emphasis is placed on understanding how these interventions support mitochondrial efficiency, hormonal balance, immune function, neuroplasticity, metabolic regulation, and cellular repair. Rather than framing longevity solely as the extension of lifespan, this research prioritizes healthspan, underscoring the importance of maintaining functional capacity, vitality, and quality of life throughout the aging process. Mental and emotional health are explored as central pillars of sustainable longevity. The research highlights how biohacking strategies that incorporate natural root-derived compounds may contribute to emotional stability, cognitive clarity, stress adaptability, and protection against age-associated cognitive decline. The study further investigates how nootropic-supportive nutrients, antioxidant-rich botanicals, and neuroprotective dietary patterns may enhance memory, attention, learning capacity, and mental sharpness across the lifespan.

References

  1. Ahmed IA., et al. “Natural anti-aging skincare: role and potential”. Biogerontology 21 (2020): 293-310.
  2. Armendariz N and Walcutt JJ. “Analog vs. Digital: Amplifying Feedback for Learning”.
  3. Ashtary-Larky D., et al. “Ketogenic diets, physical activity and body composition: a review”. British Journal of Nutrition 127.12 (2022): 1898-1920.
  4. Awuchi CG, Igwe VS and Amagwula IO. “Nutritional diseases and nutrient toxicities: A systematic review of the diets and nutrition for prevention and treatment”. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research 6.1 (2020): 1-46.
  5. Bansal M. “Hacking Health: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Live Your Healthiest Life”. Penguin Random House India Private Limited (2023).
  6. Binti Zulkifli NS, Sahudin SB and Kaharudin N. “Natural Active Ingredients and Skin Hydration: A Systematic Review”. Journal of Cosmetic Science 74.1 (2023).
  7. Bratovcic A. “Antioxidant enzymes and their role in preventing cell damage”. Acta Sci. Nutr. Health 4 (2020): 01-07.
  8. Cao C., et al. “L-dopa treatment increases oscillatory power in the motor cortex of Parkinson's disease patients”. NeuroImage: Clinical 26 (2020): 102255.
  9. Carver LF. (Ed.). “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Aging, Biohacking and Technology: Hacking Your Age”. Taylor & Francis (2023).
  10. Colleluori G., et al. “Aerobic plus resistance exercise in obese older adults improves muscle protein synthesis and preserves myocellular quality despite weight loss”. Cell metabolism 30.2 (2019): 261-273.
  11. Darwish RS., et al. “Efficacy-directed discrimination of the essential oils of three Juniperus species based on their in-vitro antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities”. Journal of ethnopharmacology 259 (2020): 112971.
  12. de Meritens BG and Fauquet-Alekhine P. “Stress Management”. In The Palgrave Handbook of Occupational Stress. Cham: Springer International Publishing (2023): 437-454.
  13. Ellison KL. Upgraded to obsolescence: Age intervention in the era of biohacking. Engaging Science, Technology, and Society 6 (2020): 39-44.
  14. El-Zayat SR, Sibaii H and El-Shamy KA. “Physiological process of fat loss”. Bulletin of the National Research Centre 43.1 (2019): 1-15.
  15. Ford CG, Haliwa I and Shook NJ. “Mind your gaze: Examining the relation between trait mindfulness and visual attention to valenced images”. Behavioural Brain Research 401 (2021): 113063.
  16. Goodman S. “The effects of hypohydration and thirst on cognitive performance and mental fatigue” (2020).
  17. Grewe-Salfeld M. “Biohacking, Bodies and Do-It-Yourself: The Cultural Politics of Hacking Life Itself”. transcript Verlag (2021): 314.
  18. Hardey M. “Introduction: Self-Tracking Construction of Health. In Household Self-Tracking during a Global Health Crisis”. Emerald Publishing Limited (2022): 1-18.
  19. Hassan S., et al. “Dietary supplements: Types, health benefits, industry and regulation”. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals: Bioactive Components, Formulations and Innovations (2020): 23-38.
  20. Heinrichs JH., et al. “Neuroenhancement”. Verlag Karl Alber (2022).
  21. Hirsch KR., et al. “Effects of Essential Amino Acids on High-Intensity Interval Training Performance, Fatigue Outcomes, and Workload Progression”. Journal of the American Nutrition Association 42.4 (2023): 411-417.
  22. Isokauppila T and Broida DR. “Healing Adaptogens: The Definitive Guide to Using Super Herbs and Mushrooms for Your Body's Restoration, Defense, and Performance”. Hay House, Inc (2022).
  23. Jafari D., et al. “Vitamin C and the immune system”. Nutrition and immunity (2019): 81-102.
  24. Johnston L. Effects of raspberry ketone and green coffee bean extract on body mass and substrate utilisation (Doctoral dissertation, University of Glasgow) (2019).
  25. Kim ES., et al. “Resilient aging: Psychological well-being and social well-being as targets for the promotion of healthy aging”. Gerontology and geriatric medicine 7 (2021): 23337214211002951.
  26. Kooranian F, ParsaYekta Z and Rassouli M. “Barriers and challenges to self-care among older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study”. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences 32.5 (2022): 963-974.
  27. Korte SM and Straub RH. “Fatigue in inflammatory rheumatic disorders: pathophysiological mechanisms”. Rheumatology 58.Supplement_5 (2019): v35-v50.
  28. Kunuroglu F and Vural Yuzbasi D. “Factors promoting successful aging in Turkish older adults: Self compassion, psychological resilience, and attitudes towards aging”. Journal of Happiness Studies (2021): 1-16.
  29. Lange KW. “Omega-3 fatty acids and mental health”. Global Health Journal 4.1 (2020): 18-30.
  30. Loriette C, Ziane C and Hamed SB. “Neurofeedback for cognitive enhancement and intervention and brain plasticity”. Revue Neurologique 177.9 (2021): 1133-1144.
  31. Macaron T., et al. “Associations of Omega-3 fatty acids with brain morphology and volume in cognitively healthy older adults: A narrative review”. Ageing research reviews 67 (2021): 101300.
  32. Mah E., et al. “Dietary supplements for weight management: A narrative review of safety and metabolic health benefits”. Nutrients 14.9 (2022): 1787.
  33. Mann G., et al. “Branched-chain amino acids: catabolism in skeletal muscle and implications for muscle and whole-body metabolism”. Frontiers in Physiology 12 (2021): 702826.
  34. Marais GA., et al. “Mindfulness-based programs improve psychological flexibility, mental health, well-being, and time management in academics”. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 10.4 (2020): 1035-1050.
  35. Marcos-Martínez D., et al. “ITACA: An open-source framework for Neurofeedback based on Brain-Computer Interfaces”. Computers in Biology and Medicine 160 (2023): 107011.
  36. Martini F., et al. “Substance-related disorders. In Fundamentals of Psychiatry for Health Care Professionals”. Cham: Springer International Publishing (2022): 263-295.
  37. McCall P. “Ageless Intensity: High-intensity Workouts to Slow the Aging Process”. Human Kinetics (2022).
  38. McLoughlin E., et al. “Cumulative lifetime stress exposure, depression, anxiety, and well-being in elite athletes: A mixed-method study”. Psychology of sport and exercise 52 (2021): 101823.
  39. Miller JC. “Dietary supplementation: a retrospective case study” (2023).
  40. Mohiuddin AK. “Skin aging & modern age anti-aging strategies”. PharmaTutor 7.8 (2019): 22-70.
  41. Moreno-Blanco D., et al. “Technologies for monitoring lifestyle habits related to brain health: A systematic review”. Sensors 19.19 (2019): 4183.
  42. Morris J. “Smart Plants: Power Foods & Natural Nootropics for Optimized Thinking, Focus & Memory”. Union Square & Co (2020).
  43. Muhammad T. “The role of religiosity and religious participation in the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment among older Indian adults”. Scientific reports 12.1 (2022): 11915.
  44. Muzammil A., et al. “Anti-aging natural compounds and their role in the regulation of metabolic pathways leading to longevity”. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 21.18 (2021): 2630-2656.
  45. Naor L and Mayseless O. “The therapeutic value of experiencing spirituality in nature”. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 7.2 (2020): 114.
  46. Nuzzo JL. “The case for retiring flexibility as a major component of physical fitness”. Sports Medicine 50.5 (2020): 853-870.
  47. Och A., et al. “Berberine, a herbal metabolite in the metabolic syndrome: The risk factors, course, and consequences of the disease”. Molecules 27.4 (2022): 1351.
  48. Panossian AG., et al. “Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress‐and aging‐related diseases”. Medicinal research reviews 41.1 (2021): 630-703.
  49. Parrett P. Decocting Identity-The Occupational Identities of Herbal Medicine Practitioners in the US (Doctoral dissertation, California State University, Northridge) (2023).
  50. Petersén M. “Body descriptions in biohacking and their overlaps and origins”. DigitCult-Scientific Journal on Digital Cultures 8.1 (2023): 7-24.
  51. Pragmatic DCTE. “Research Network Conference, April 8-10, 2020”. Abstracts From the 26th Annual Health Care Systems Research, 4, 6-2020.
  52. Quayle AF and Sonn CC. “Amplifying the voices of indigenous elders through community arts and narrative inquiry: Stories of oppression, psychosocial suffering, and survival”. American Journal of Community Psychology 64.1-2 (2019): 46-58.
  53. Rafiq Q, Christie L and Morgan HM. “Biohacking: A thematic analysis of tweets to better understand how biohackers conceptualise their practices”. medRxiv (2023): 2023-02.
  54. Reppa CM., et al. “The Effect of Aerobic Fitness on Psychological, Attentional and Physiological Responses during a Tabata High-Intensity Interval Training Session in Healthy Young Women”. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20.2 (2023): 1005.
  55. Sadiku MN, Sadiku JO and Musa SM. “Traditional Medicines Around the World”. iUniverse (2022).
  56. Sala-Vila A., et al. “Impact of α-linolenic acid, the vegetable ω-3 fatty acid, on cardiovascular disease and cognition”. Advances in Nutrition 13.5 (2022): 1584-1602.
  57. Saras T. “Ginseng Revealed: Unveiling the Secrets of Nature's Energizing Herb”. Tiram Media (2023).
  58. Schroeder EC., et al. “Comparative effectiveness of aerobic, resistance, and combined training on cardiovascular disease risk factors: A randomized controlled trial”. PloS one 14.1 (2019): e0210292.
  59. Sharma R, Sharma P and Bhardwaj R. “Adaptogens: New Age Healing Gems for Physical Wellbeing”. American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Development (AJMRD) 3.10 (2021): 26-35.
  60. Solway J., et al. “Diet and dermatology: the role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in preventing and reversing skin aging—a review”. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology 13.5 (2020): 38.
  61. Sovijärvi O, Arina, T and Halmetoja J. “Biohacker's Handbook: Upgrade yourself and unleash your inner potential”. Biohacker Center (2019).
  62. Stelnicki AM., et al. “Evaluation of before operational stress: a program to support mental health and proactive psychological protection in public safety personnel”. Frontiers in psychology 12 (2021): 3218.
  63. Tan BL and Norhaizan ME. “Effect of high-fat diets on oxidative stress, cellular inflammatory response and cognitive function”. Nutrients 11.11 (2019): 2579.
  64. Toussaint L., et al. “Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021).
  65. Trak NHDTH and Chauhan MFHDD. “Skin Care Secrets from Herbal World”. Notion Press (2022).
  66. Trothen TJ. “Anti-Aging or Enhancing-Aging Technologies?: Social and Religious Implications of Radical Life Extension”. In An Interdisciplinary Approach to Aging, Biohacking and Technology. Routledge (2024): 44-62.
  67. Tu X., et al. “Tributyltin enhanced anxiety of adult male zebrafish through elevating cortisol level and disruption in serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter pathways”. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 203 (2020): 111014.
  68. Umeda N. “Gut flora “the second brain” connects Eastern and Western medicine: Intestinal hyper-permeability or Qi deficiency can affect brain, mind, and whole body”. Longhua Chinese Medicine 2 (2019).
  69. von Schacky C. “Importance of EPA and DHA blood levels in brain structure and function”. Nutrients 13.4 (2021): 1074.
  70. Williamson B. “Brain data: Scanning, scraping and sculpting the plastic learning brain through neurotechnology”. Postdigital Science and Education 1 (2019): 65-86.
  71. Winardi MA, Prentice C and Weaven S. “Systematic literature review on emotional intelligence and conflict management”. Journal of global scholars of marketing science 32.3 (2022): 372-397.
  72. Yang H., et al. “Association of self-rated health with chronic disease, mental health symptoms and social relationships in older people”. Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021): 14653.