biohacking

noun

bio·​hack·​ing ˈbī-ō-ˌha-kiŋ 

1

: biological experimentation (as by gene editing or the use of drugs or implants) done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms especially by individuals and groups working outside a traditional medical or scientific research environment

Every November, college kids from Michigan to Munich descend on MIT, eager to show off their biohacking skills. In the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, teams battle one another to build the coolest synthetically altered organisms.

—Alexandra Witze

often : such experimentation done on one's own body

… the debate has intensified over whether biohacking—body modification and augmentation with the aim of gaining enhanced abilities—should be subject to strict regulation. Other biohacking stunts have included DIY biologists injecting themselves with CRISPR and with experimental HIV treatments.

—Xavier Symons

Biohacking is still a niche field, but the possibilities are growing. The most successful innovations so far are small magnets that can be implanted in your fingertips, allowing you to feel electric fields. Also popular are … chips … which can be implanted under the skin and used as remote keys, wallets and data storage devices.

—Frank Swain

2

: the act or practice of using biohacks to improve one's health, performance, or longevity

You don't have to spend thousands on fancy tech or live like a test subject to see results. At its best, biohacking is about being intentional with your habits and tracking how they affect your body and mind. Sleep more, move daily, eat whole foods, manage stress, and get sunlight.

—Brandon Brigman

… cold water plunges, often used in sports medicine for post-workout recoveries, has become popular in biohacking to "stress" the body for a few minutes to toughen it while improving blood flow.

—Andrea Valluzzo

biohack

ˈbī-ō-ˌhak 

transitive verb

biohacked; biohacking; biohacks

… I learned that you can biohack your period cycle, tailoring your lifestyle choices to your period cycle in order to maximize your personal well-being.

—Juliana Vasquez

biohacker

ˈbī-ō-ˌha-kər 

noun

plural biohackers

[Dave] Asprey, 42, is a self-described biohacker—somebody who uses science and technology to make his or her body function better and more efficiently. There are about 100,000 biohackers worldwide, Asprey estimates, and among them, he's a celebrity.

—Gordy Megroz

Examples of biohacking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plans for the ultra-luxury Nobu condo building, where unit prices range from about $3 million to $60 million, include a Nobu restaurant and a wellness suite dedicated to biohacking and longevity. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

But in some biohacking and wellness circles, it's increasingly being repurposed for an entirely different reason. — Will Stone, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Oasis Hallandale in Hallandale Beach, starting around $750,000, provides advanced biohacking services and high-performance fitness. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Johnson acknowledged that some common biohacking techniques — including hard training, sauna and hyperbaric oxygen — all raise the body’s demand for iron. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

bio- + hacking, gerund of hack entry 1

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for biohacking

• attacking
• backpacking
• backtracking
• hijacking
• kayaking
• meatpacking
• ransacking
• repacking
• unpacking
• backing
• blacking
• clacking