I Got a Biological Upgrade at Bulletproof Labs
You can, too.
I had already upgraded my iPhone, computer, and car. But, what about my body and mind? Did I have to accept aging and deterioration? Absolutely not. Because there is something called a human upgrade.
Enter Bulletproof Labs – a biohacking facility of the future in Santa Monica, Calif. with barrier-breaking technology to optimize the human mind and body so you can perform at your maximum potential. Not just for now – but always.
Founded by the biohacking pioneer Dave Asprey, Bulletproof Labs is the world’s first “human upgrade center”. Its guiding philosophy is this: if our body is a machine and our mind is its software, we don’t have to accept an outdated version of ourselves. Instead, we can upgrade our body-machine and its software (mind) to break through boundaries and achieve optimum performance in our lives.
The goal is to become Bulletproof, “a state of high performance where your body, mind, and nervous system work together effortlessly to help you perform at levels beyond what you’d expect.”
For 30-days I biohacked my mind and body using transformational technology that pushed me past my limiting beliefs about what I could do. Here’s my story how I got a mind and body upgrade – and how you can too.
Initial Consultation
My biohacking technician Brandon Tobias first discussed my body composition analysis. Certain biomarkers told him exactly where I could be upgraded and which machines would do it. Inflammation and my body fat levels were higher than ideal. Nor was cellular energy where it should be for optimum performance. (No wonder I had been feeling sluggish!) We never discussed weight goals. Rather Brandon spoke in detail about the importance of increasing the oxygen exchange between my cells and brain training for optimal cognition.
Biohacking – as I quickly learned – is no joke. The next thirty-days pushed me beyond my mental and physical limits. Certainly not easy, but the science behind makes it do-able while keeping up with my everyday life and prior commitments. Every time I shattered a (self-imposed) limitation, it was a euphoric experience. But first, I had to do the work.
HOW I BIOHACKED MY BRAIN
The EEG Brain Trainer restores a state of coherence – when the mind and heart are in sync – to produce an ideal brain state that calms the nervous system. Once hooked up to the machine, I relaxed and listened to a dreamy soundtrack that skipped a beat when my brain fell out of coherence. This skip in the music was a cue for my brain to restore coherence by auto-correcting back to an ideal brainwave, rather than the fight or flight stress response.
When I was back in the real world, the most profound change I noticed was a break from my pattern of hypervigilance and almost constant future predictions of worst-case-scenarios.
While biohacking my body, I was also working on my mind. There were many points when my brain told me that’s as far as I could go. But my biohacking technician was there with a different message: that I could push further and go harder.
Every time, my brain was wrong. And my biohacking technician was right. I found dormant reserves of energy inside me that I could tap into to push myself past where I had wanted to quit. I learned to ignore the limiting voice in my brain, to trust myself, and dig deeper into my newfound energy. This shattered limiting subconscious patterns that were holding me back and open new neuropathways in my brain to reach my full potential.
HOW I BIOHACKED MY BODY
Biomarkers from my body composition analysis indicated that inflammation and body fat were high for optimal energy exchange at the cellular level. My biohacking technician put me on a schedule of Cold HIIT, Cryotherapy, Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), RedCharger, and the Oxygen Trainer. Yes, I spend three minutes in a -250°F chamber. But it was worth it to boost my immune system, release endorphins, and decrease inflammation. I also slept better than I had in months.
The RedCharger was a game changer. It exposed my entire body to red (630 nm) and infrared (880 nm) LED light that decreased inflammation boosted mitochondrial function and improved circulation to the brain. It also lifted my mood every time. The PEMF is like a blanket that stimulates electrical charges in and around my cells at a higher frequency to accelerate regeneration.
Cold HIIT and Oxygen Trainer were the most challenging. Tested by NASA for missions to Mars, the Cold HIIT combines compression and cooling technology that supports a high-intensity interval workout with minimal recovery time. The Oxygen Trainer alternates between low and 100% oxygen levels while performing intensity interval training on a fitness bike to deplete (briefly) then fully saturate my cells with pure oxygen.
Results of my Biological Upgrade
I’m a different person. My mind is clear. I’m more creative and I can work longer without feeling depleted. I’m sleeping less but feeling more rested. I’ve clocked fewer incidents of hypervigilance and I no longer mind-jump to worst-case scenarios. My body fat and inflammation are down a few points. Incidentally, I lost six pounds.
Although my month is up at Bulletproof Labs, I’m not going to let myself slip back to my old habits and underperform. To do that, I have to keep up. I’ve continued to follow (mostly) the Bulletproof Roadmap outlining the best practices of what to eat and when for maximum energy and to lower inflammation.
I also need to be inspired and reminded of what is truly possible for my brain and body. Community is one of the most powerful aspects of becoming Bulletproof. Going against the grain requires support. To keep on track I listen to Bulletproof Radio where founder Dave Asprey interviews luminaries on how they achieve and maintain an optimal state of being.
HOW YOU CAN GET A HUMAN BIOLOGICAL UPGRADE
Visit Bulletproof Labs in Santa Monica, Calif. and its new facility launched as Upgrade Labs™ at the Beverly Hilton where you’ll experience over 15 advanced technologies to achieve optimum performance.
At Home Bulletproof Biohack #1
Redcharger uses a similar spectrum of red and NIR (near infrared) light as the sun during the first hour of sunrise and last hour of sunset. The benefits of regular exposure to this beneficial form of sunlight include higher quality deep and REM sleep (the most restful and restorative types of sleep), lower systemic cortisol levels at night (which helps you to fall asleep faster), increased circulation, lower blood pressure, mitochondria biogenesis, lowered inflammation, increased resilience of skin to UV light, and increased wakefulness and energy production in the morning and during the day. Aim for at least 20 minutes of exposure to either the sunrise or sunset (preferably exposing as much skin as possible) once a day.
At Home Bulletproof Biohack #2
Cryotherapy uses rapid and intense cold exposure to induce the biological system into a state of healing, regeneration, and positive adaptation. In order to mimic the effects in real life, try spending 5-10 minutes in a pool that’s about 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also create an ice bath or take a cold shower first thing in the morning. If you’re new to cold exposure, you can also still gain some benefits by showering in ice-cold water for the last 30-45 seconds of your shower. This is a great way to introduce your body to the benefits of cold exposure without overwhelm. For optimal benefits, do cold-exposure once or even twice a day for up to 10 minutes each time. This will increase your fat-burning metabolism, reduce inflammation, and stimulate your immune system to begin removing waste and toxins from the system.
At Home Bulletproof Biohack #3
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) utilizes pulsing, electromagnetic waves that simulate the Earth’s natural geomagnetic field. We need exposure to this frequency for optimal health, stress-reduction, cellular function, bone density, and many other vital functions within our bodies. To simulate this effect in nature, the best place to expose yourself is barefoot along the beach, right where the water from the ocean or lake creates a moist layer to walk on. This conductive area generates the highest points of positive electromagnetic exposure for our bodies. If you don’t have a lake or an ocean nearby, you can also simply stand barefoot on either grass, mud, or dirt. So long as you are in direct contact with the Earth, you are receiving this powerful healing force of nature. Aim for about 10-30 minutes a day for optimal exposure. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, aim for upwards of 1-2 hours a day.
At Home Bulletproof Biohack #4
Oxygen Training has a variety of benefits for the body and brain, including increasing a fat-burning metabolism by the release of certain vasodilatory chemicals in the body such as nitric oxide. Other benefits are increased oxygenation to the brain, increased mental focus and clarity, decreased inflammation, increased VO2 max and athletic performance. One way to replicate the positive effects of exposing our cells to a hypoxic (low oxygen) and hyperoxic (high oxygen) environment is to do Pranayamic Breathwork and breath holds. You can do this by breathing in rapidly through the nose or mouth for quick bursts of 21 repetitions, and then holding your breath for as long as you can on the final breath in and out before breathing normally. Try this technique once a day, first thing in the morning. For increased benefits combine it with a cold plunge or shower.
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