‘and I will be 119...’
What do we all want to become but no one wants to be? The answer is: old!
Scientists around the world are working to slow down aging. This is called longevity in modern German. Many of the concepts of longevity seem realistic, while others sound like science fiction. It is possible that people today are completely satisfied with their life expectancy. Newborns live an average of 90 years and thus have much more time on earth than their ancestors. Better living conditions, greater prosperity and advances in medicine are contributing to this. However, the success does not seem to be sufficient: as with many things, people strive for more as they get older and do not accept the limitations imposed on them by nature.
There is a possibility that death can be postponed through new insights into the relationship between aging and technological advances:
1. Cryonics is a second life after the ice age.
What the supporters of cryonics want to do seems very brutal: after death, all the blood is pumped out of the body and replaced with antifreeze. The body is then placed headfirst into a fiberglass tank filled with liquid nitrogen and frozen to death at a temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius. After that, you just have to wait. Wait for medical advances that will make it possible to get up and carry on living in the future. There are currently three institutes worldwide that carry out cadaver preparations. The cost of fulfilling the wish for endless life is around 35,000 euros.
2. Parabiosis – Blood as a Source of Youth
Since time immemorial, blood has been considered a life force. Scientists are now also using the process of parabiosis to test its longevity effects. One possibility is to connect two mice, one young and one old, together, thereby connecting their two bloodstreams. Although it sounds scary, it had an amazing effect in experiments: the "young" blood rejuvenated the old mice, restored their fur, strengthened their hearts and improved their brains. Biotech companies in Silicon Valley are currently investigating whether the drug can also be transferred to humans, for example as a treatment for Alzheimer's. Bryan Johnson, the billionaire, is the latest example. Bryan recently went with his 17-year-old son and 70-year-old father to a wellness clinic in Texas. There, the first multigenerational blood plasma exchange was performed. About a liter of blood was taken from the son, which, after various division and processing processes, was donated to the 45-year-old tech millionaire.
3. Cell cleaning: Remove everything that does not pay rent.
Some cells stop dividing as we age. Such useless cells, which can also be harmful because they secrete molecules that damage tissue, are called "senescent." The Mayo Clinic in the United States was the first to succeed in removing this "cellular waste" from the bodies of mice by administering a drug. In fact, rodents lived an average of 25 percent longer after this point. The scientists hope that this method can be used successfully against age-related diseases such as glaucoma, arthritis or heart problems.
4. Chromosome repair
Three US researchers received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2009 for their discovery of telomerase, which plays an important role in aging. The enzyme protects the telomeres, protective caps at the ends of the chromosomes. The crux of the matter: the cells in our body become shorter the older we get and the more often they have divided. Physical deterioration and diseases such as cancer, dementia or arteriosclerosis are the consequences. Biotech companies such as Sierra Science from the USA are currently looking for a substance that will stimulate telomerase in human cells again and thus stop the internal clock of aging.
5. Mind uploading - What makes a person? Money, possessions, career success? There is a possibility that this is not the case, as it is mainly intangible factors such as character, feelings, ways of thinking, memories and behavior that make us unique. The goal of mind uploading is to ensure that the mind, with all its characteristics, is preserved after death by "storing" it externally, thus creating a "virtual brain." Some scientists predict that this will be feasible in as little as 30 years. Our selves could then live on digitally.
6. Tissue engineering - healthy organs from the laboratory: In the future, tissue engineering could be a better alternative to organ transplants or the use of artificial implants. This involves producing biological tissue from the body's own cells, which, when implanted into the body, grows with the body and is not rejected. It is already possible to produce muscles, cartilage, skin, heart valves or urinary bladders. Research is currently also being carried out into kidneys and livers from the laboratory.
7. Metformin: The first anti-aging drug?
Metformin, a substance contained in diabetes medication, has the potential to slow down the aging process. Researchers at Cardiff University have found that type 2 diabetics who received metformin as first-line therapy had a 15 percent longer survival time than people without diabetes. The active ingredient is intended in particular to prevent typical age-related diseases such as dementia, cancer or arteriosclerosis. A comprehensive study is being carried out in the USA to determine whether metformin also slows down aging in people without diabetes.
In biohacking, however, we prefer less radical measures. Almost trivial...
Nutritional optimization: A healthy diet is a fundamental pillar of natural biohacking. It includes the consumption of fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. The targeted use of superfoods and certain nutritional supplements that promote health can also be part of natural biohacking.
- Exercise and sport: Natural exercise is an important aspect of biohacking. Regular physical activity, whether through walking, yoga, cycling or strength training, promotes fitness and general well-being.
Stress management and relaxation: Stress can have a negative impact on health. It is therefore important to incorporate stress management and relaxation methods into your daily routine. These can be techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, Tai Chi or mindfulness practices.
Sleep optimization: Adequate and restful sleep is crucial for health. Natural biohacking includes strategies to improve sleep quality, such as creating a sleep-friendly environment, having a regular bedtime, and avoiding screen time before bed.
Contact with nature: Spending time in nature can have a positive effect on your health. Natural biohacking therefore also includes conscious contact with nature, be it through walks in the forest, gardening or time by the sea.
Intermittent fasting: One form of natural biohacking is intermittent fasting, which involves limiting meal times and having longer periods of fasting. This can have a positive effect on metabolism and promote cell regeneration.
Breathing and breathing exercises: Breathing techniques, such as deep abdominal breathing or breathing exercises, can reduce stress, improve oxygen supply and increase overall well-being.
Cold and heat treatments: The targeted use of cold and heat treatments, such as alternating showers or sauna visits, can strengthen the immune system and improve blood circulation.
Social interaction: Active social interaction and relationship building can help promote mental well-being and slow the aging process. Community activities, hobbies, volunteering, and interacting with other people can help keep you mentally and emotionally active.
These examples show that natural biohacking can help optimize health and lead a healthy and fulfilling life in a natural and sustainable way. It's about making conscious choices and using the natural resources available to us to promote health.
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