Biohacking: An exploratory study to understand the factors influencing the adoption of embedded technologies within the human body. [Research Article]
Wearable tech is leading way to embedded tech, i.e., implants inside the body designed to track and enhance human health and productivity among other things. Researchers have used Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) extensively to explain the factors influencing adoption of almost all technological innovations to date. Embedded tech, often referred to as biohacking, presents a unique set of factors that call for yet another revision of the model. Using diffusion of innovations, self-efficacy, and social exchange theory, a revision to the technology acceptance model is proposed with additional factors such as age and gender, embedded technology self-efficacy, perceived risk and privacy concerns to explain the adoption of embedded technologies within the human body. Data was collected through an online survey (N = 1063) using a Qualtrics panel and results suggest that age, gender, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, embedded technology self-efficacy, risk and privacy concerns all impact the adoption of embedded tech. Implications for the implant industry, policy makers, and researchers interested in such tech are drawn.

Gangadharbatla, H. (2020). Biohacking: An exploratory study to understand the factors influencing the adoption of embedded technologies within the human body. Heliyon, 6(5), e03931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03931


Role of opsins and light or heat activated transient receptor potential ion channels in the mechanisms of photobiomodulation and infrared therapy. [Research Article]
Photobiomodulation (PBM), or low-level light therapy, is an emerging treatment for various conditions such as pain, inflammation, wound healing, brain disorders, and hair regrowth. It uses red and near-infrared light, and while many studies show positive results, it has not been widely adopted in clinics due to skepticism. This skepticism mainly comes from limited understanding of how PBM works on a molecular level. There is also a related therapy involving longer-wavelength infrared radiation, like infrared saunas and heat-emitting textiles. Recent research has uncovered the mechanisms behind these treatments, showing that light-sensitive proteins in our cells, like cytochromes (which help produce energy), opsins (light-sensitive proteins), and heat-activated ion channels, play a role in how light and heat therapies work. This knowledge is helping to clarify how PBM and infrared therapies benefit the body and improve their potential for treating a wide range of health conditions.

Sharma, S. K., Sardana, S., & Hamblin, M. R. (2023). Role of opsins and light or heat activated transient receptor potential ion channels in the mechanisms of photobiomodulation and infrared therapy. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, 13, 100160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpap.2023.100160


Regular use of acupressure mats reduces perceived stress at subjective but not psychophysiological levels: Insights from a three-week relaxation training. [Research Article]
Acupressure mats are often marketed as simple tools to reduce stress and improve well-being, but scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. This study tested whether acupressure mats could improve stress and well-being compared to no tool at all. Participants used either an acupressure mat or practiced relaxation without any tools for three weeks. Both groups showed improvements in well-being, reduced stress, better sleep quality, and improved concentration. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups, meaning the acupressure mat didn’t provide extra benefits over just relaxing without a tool. The study suggests that relaxing can help with stress and well-being, but acupressure mats may only be useful for specific issues like tension pain.

Kisker, J., & Schöne, B. (2024). Regular use of acupressure mats reduces perceived stress at subjective but not psychophysiological levels: Insights from a three-week relaxation training. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 16(1), 338–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12490


Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia. [Research Article]
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or hair thinning, affects both men and women, and while traditional treatments like minoxidil and finasteride have limitations, low-level light therapy (LLLT) with red or near-infrared light is showing promise as an alternative. A recent study tested a helmet using both red and green LED lights on the scalp for 20 minutes daily over six months. The results showed that both types of light therapy improved hair thickness and density, with red light showing slightly better results, especially in increasing hair diameter. Both therapies were safe, with only mild side effects like scalp heat and redness. This study suggests that red and green LED light therapies are effective and non-invasive options for managing AGA, offering an alternative to traditional treatments.

Tantiyavarong, J., Charoensuksira, S., Meephansan, J., Hanvivattanakul, S., Rayanasukha, Y., Boonkoom, T., & Tantisantisom, K. (2024). Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 40(6), e13004. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.13004

The social context of “Do-It-Yourself” brain stimulation: Neurohackers, biohackers, and lifehackers. [Discussion Paper]
The DIY brain stimulation movement began around 2011, when individuals started using low levels of electrical stimulation on their heads for self-improvement. Research on this has primarily focused on studying users’ practices and the ethical and regulatory issues involved. However, this article takes a different approach, suggesting that DIY brain stimulation should be viewed within the context of broader “DIY” movements like neurohacking, life hacking, and biohacking. Neurohacking, a branch of the “life hacking” movement, focuses on optimizing brain performance, while biohacking aims to democratize scientific experimentation tools. The home use of brain stimulation is part of this larger trend, and the article suggests that policies around DIY brain stimulation should consider both individual motivations and the broader social context of these movements.

Wexler, A. (2017). The social context of “Do-It-Yourself” brain stimulation: Neurohackers, biohackers, and lifehackers. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 224. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00224

Biomarker-guided dietary supplementation: A narrative review of precision in personalized nutrition. [Research Article]
Dietary supplements (DS) are commonly used to address nutritional deficiencies and promote health, but their indiscriminate use can lead to reduced efficacy, adverse effects, and safety concerns. Biomarker-guided supplementation, alongside artificial intelligence (AI), offers a promising approach to optimize DS prescriptions. Biomarkers in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, the microbiome, and immunology help identify deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, and disease risks, enabling targeted, safe supplementation. For example, genomic markers like MTHFR polymorphisms inform folate supplementation needs, while metabolomic markers guide interventions for metabolic disorders. AI tools assist in interpreting these biomarkers and tailoring supplements to individual needs. However, challenges remain, such as incomplete training datasets for AI tools, limited clinically validated algorithms, and the lack of long-term studies. Additionally, regulatory uncertainties around DS, especially combinations with pharmaceutical-like effects, complicate their use. Despite these challenges, biomarker-guided supplementation, enhanced by AI, holds significant potential for personalized nutrition and improved health outcomes, provided these obstacles are addressed.

Pokushalov, E., Ponomarenko, A., Shrainer, E., Kudlay, D., & Miller, R. (2024). Biomarker-guided dietary supplementation: A narrative review of precision in personalized nutrition. Nutrients, 16(23), 4033. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234033

The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress responses in human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. [Research Article]

Cold water immersion and active recovery are common treatments used after exercise to aid recovery. However, it’s unclear whether these methods impact inflammation and cellular stress in muscles. We compared the effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and stress proteins in muscle after intense resistance exercise. Nine active men performed leg exercises on separate days, at least one week apart. After one session, they immersed their legs in cold water (10°C) for 10 minutes. After the other, they cycled at a low intensity for 10 minutes. Muscle samples were taken before, 2, 24, and 48 hours after exercise. Exercise increased levels of inflammatory cells and cytokines. It also raised pain-related proteins (NGF and GDNF). Protein levels of stress-related proteins αB-crystallin and HSP70 decreased after exercise, but the muscle’s response showed higher levels of certain proteins as well. There were no significant differences between the two recovery methods in terms of inflammation or cellular stress. These findings indicate that cold water immersion and active recovery have similar effects on muscle recovery after intense resistance exercise.

Peake, J. M., Roberts, L. A., Figueiredo, V. C., Egner, I., Krog, S., Aas, S. N., Suzuki, K., Markworth, J. F., Coombes, J. S., Cameron-Smith, D., & Raastad, T. (2016). The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress responses in human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. The Journal of Physiology, 595(3), 695–711. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP272881


Effect of cold and heat therapies on pain relief in patients with delayed onset muscle soreness: A network meta-analysis. [Research Article]
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of cold and heat therapies for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) using network meta-analysis. Data from eight Chinese and English databases were analyzed until 31 May 2021, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess randomized controlled trials. A total of 59 studies involving 1,367 participants were included, examining ten treatments: contrast water therapy, phase change material, cryotherapy, cold-water immersion, hot/warm-water immersion, cold pack, hot pack, ice massage, ultrasound, and passive recovery. The results showed that within 24 hours post-exercise, hot packs were most effective for pain relief, followed by contrast water therapy. Within 48 hours, hot packs ranked highest, followed by novel cryotherapy. After 48 hours, novel cryotherapy was the most effective. Due to the limited quality of the studies, further well-designed research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of cold and heat therapies for DOMS.

Wang, Y., Lu, H., Li, S., Zhang, Y., Yan, F., Huang, Y., Chen, X., Yang, A., Han, L., & Ma, Y. (2022). Effect of cold and heat therapies on pain relief in patients with delayed onset muscle soreness: A network meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 54, 331. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v53.331