Optimise body and mind for a longer, healthier life

Biohacking is one of the major trends in the health industry. This year too, the avant-garde of self-optimisation gathered at the annual Biohacker Summit in Helsinki. From revolutionary nutrition concepts to new fitness trends – //next columnist Markus Sekulla immersed himself among the diverse crowd to expand his knowledge in longevity.  

Teemu Arina an stage at Biohacker Summit

The most important question first: What exactly is biohacking? There isn't an official definition. Teemu Arina, one of the world's most renowned biohackers (and also interviewed here at //next), says, “Biohacking is health and performance optimisation through the use of biological and technological tools.“ I agree with that. Perhaps I would add enhancing cognitive abilities as well.

Before the Biohacker Summit – positive stress

I sit at the train station, filled with anticipation for the next two days. I'm heading to the Biohacker Summit in Helsinki. Unlike other events I attend – mostly in the context of digitalisation – this time I don't know what to expect. I can't gauge the people or the atmosphere. But one thing is clear to me already – the worst thing about biohacking is its name. My entire circle of friends gave me odd looks when I told them about my trip. “Aren't those all freaks who don't want to die and never have fun any more?“ was the most frequently asked question.

So, what do you do to prepare? Of course, you turn to the program and check Instagram. If you follow the participants on Instagram, you'll find profiles boasting their biological age compared to their chronological age. “Bio age 25 at 43“ or something similar. This raises questions: What is my biological age? Are they really all freaks who don't want to die? Am I the unhealthiest or the most ignorant one there? And the ultimate question: What information is important for me?

Off to the north. Where else would such a conference take place but in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, which in 2024 is considered the country with the happiest people – and that for the seventh consecutive year. Could this also be because some of the leading biohackers live here, there's a strong emphasis on personal health, and a generally healthy lifestyle is the norm? I will find out.

At the Biohacker Summit – Finally, unusual people

As we gather on a sunny Tuesday morning in the almost happening Finnish summer at the old Nokia cable factory, the atmosphere immediately feels like a class reunion. Of course, nobody is wearing a suit here. Naturally, some people are already in the sauna or in oxygen tents, and naturally, 9 out of 10 people look super healthy. At registration, I receive a badge that says “Markus Sekulla – Biohacker.“ That was quick.

The opening ceremony already hints at the direction the next 2 days will take. Instead of throwing around supplements like candy on a German carnival, we hear sounds from ancient Finnish instruments and from a spiritual tribal leader from the Amazon, while a 16th-generation samurai from Japan demonstrates the harmony between body and mind. On a somewhat metaphysical level, everyone shows that the connection between humans and nature will be the central theme.

But first coffee. What particularly interests me are the specialty coffees on offer. You wouldn't even find these in a trendy café in Berlin. I go for the second one, the “Upgraded Coffee“ . Next, I explore the Exhibition Zone where startups showcase their products and ideas. Oxygen regulators, various supplements, sleep-promoting devices, or – now trending – mushrooms. All of this interests me less than the people at this summit. What drives them to come here, and what drives them to become “biohackers“ without calling themselves that?

Flashback to the evening before. We met two men from Ireland at one of Helsinki's most famous saunas, who were also headed to the Summit. We recognized them by their Oura Ring and got into a conversation. Although few would label themselves as biohackers, we all share the desire to reside in a healthy body and mind. The reasons behind this vary for everyone, from the classic "wake-up call" from a doctor, or emotional trauma to excessive stress at work. How we interpret biohacking is equally individual.

Looking at the program and the people, biohackers can be clustered as follows:

1. The Gadget Enthusiasts
   
   
2. The Mind and Body Integrators
   
   
3. The Scientists
   
   
4. The 20+ Supplements-a-Day Consumers

Three stages host parallel sessions tailored to these four target groups. Choosing isn't easy since I'm not sure which group I belong to. I decide on a diverse mix, ranging from the perfect selection of daily supplement matrices to the top 10 longevity tools and a deep breathwork session that challenges me mentally. In the evenings, I aim to go to bed early. The emergence of artificial intelligence as a trend that reads genetics and health data way better than we do is a minor note this year but feels like it will play an increasingly significant role in the coming years.

After the Biohacker Summit – My take aways

I'm a biohacking amateur, that much became clear to me after this summit. I last felt this way at my university's freshman event. While there are many things I do for my health, listening to the attendees at the summit made me realize there is still so much more to do. "There is" is the magic word here. Most of my conversation partners agreed that there's a health-life tension field that lies within the sweet spot of Pareto efficiency. Make 80 percent healthy decisions, enjoy life 20 percent. Some also say it's precisely the last 20 percent that are responsible for 80 percent of health problems. That's something each of us has to figure out for ourselves.

How I will come to my decision, I don't yet know, but my learnings from the summit are these ten points:

• If you don't invest time in your wellness, you'll eventually be forced to make time for your illness.
  
  
• You can't possibly know everything about health. Our bodies are too complex and unique for that. Therefore, optimizing our own bodies is very challenging since we weren't given an instruction manual at birth.
  
  
• Spending more time in nature is the next big thing. This fits to our interview here on //next with Marta Pahissa from DKV Seguros.
  
  
• Pushing the corners of your mouth upwards 20 times in front of the mirror in the morning is as important as the classic 20 push-ups.
  
  
• There's a big difference between the North American biohacking scene, which is heavily focused on routines, protocols, gadgets, and supplements, and the European scene, which emphasizes more natural improvements like breathing, cold and heat exposure, sleep, and exercise.
  
  
• Mushrooms are a big trend. Ane I mean the ones for medicinal and functional purposes.
  
  
• Almost everything we do is a small step towards improving our state.
  
  
• Everything we know is in constant decay unless we do something about it.
  
  
• Our breath is the easiest way to quickly change our internal state.
  
  
• If you spend your entire life trying to control external factors, you'll miss out on the great things that are uncontrollable.

After two intense days, I’m sitting it a cafe in Helsinki writing this text. Many conversations and presentations have left a lasting impression on me. I had the chance to meet wonderful, slightly eccentric people who pushed me in different ways of thinking. What stays is the feeling that changing smaller things can already go a long way when it comes to healthy living. I will try, one breath at a time.