By Evie, a virgin biohacker

Your body, mitochondrial health (and future wellbeing) will thank you.

We’re all prone to the occasional slump – a case of seasonal stagnation, or feeling ‘stuck’ when a fitness regime plateaus. It can feel insurmountable. What if incremental change could counteract such a setback, perhaps halting it before it’s even in motion? What if playing the long game – topping up, little and often – reaps better results? 

Let’s talk about gradual gains. Granted, not the sexiest topic, but any poor soul who’s ever overindulged at a buffet knows that little things add up. If the onset of spring has shone a light on the fact you are feeling a bit… ‘meh’, then it’s time for a reset. The great news is that modest tweaks are both achievable and sustainable, while biotech is exploring exciting territory and innovative ways to help.

Mitochondrial health (for beginners)

Cellular health is (quite literally) under the microscope. By starting small – looking into anatomy at its most elemental – we drill right down to what drives energy production, organ function and efficient repair. Cellular health has the potential to maximise immunity, encourage growth, build resilience and improve longevity. More granular still is the study of mitochondria, the minuscule powerhouses that replenish and fortify each cell. The greater the vitality and efficiency of mitochondria, the better served each individual cell (and in turn, every vital organ and bodily function) will be. 

Ladle on turbulence from stress, illness, injury, hormonal shifts, plus ageing, and it’s unlikely your mitochondria will be in tip-top form at all times. In this case, a detox is needed. And intriguing though the concept of a deep cellular spruce-up may be, it feels unattainable. No amount of caffeine-dodging, flossing or dry-body brushing can reach the innermost depths of our bodies; we can’t simply blow the cobwebs off any dusty old mitochondria that might be knocking around.

This is where advanced biohacking comes in. It’s a way to decode the mysterious, unseen barriers holding us back from achieving peak performance and personal bests. It gifts us insight and the ability to ‘top up’ where we may be lacking. At Biowell, clients can pinpoint concerns with acute specificity – cell rejuvenation, mitochondrial health and more – then experience a curated ‘biostack’ of layered treatments to address that focus or need.

Introducing: Biowell’s ‘Cell Restorer Biostack’ for mitochondrial health

Don’t be spooked by the name; we’re a million miles away from lab-grown burger meat, in the sleek surroundings of Biowell’s Battersea clinic. Their ‘Cell Restorer Biostack’ is a three-pronged approach to optimise the body’s renewal and rejuvenation on a molecular level. It comprises IHHT followed by IV therapy and a round of red-light exposure, all wrapped up in one visit. Let’s dive in.

A biohack for breathwork

The pollen count sees me arriving at IHHT feeling groggy and congested. I worry that being hooked up to an oxygen mask (and separated from my mountain of tissues) might be unpleasant for everyone. Instead, the experience is relaxing. The shifts between high and low altitudes are distinguishable but gentle, and my body seems to regulate itself.

At ‘high’ altitude, I breathe deeply for the first time in weeks. My chest expands with each cooling inhale, and it’s a little like breathing in fresh, mountain air (without the ensuing apres-ski/tartiflette collapse). As the oxygen levels alternate, I notice more power behind each exhale, as though my respiratory system has undergone a deep clean with a jet washer. 

The treatment takes place within a neat 20 minutes, which is handy. Achieving similar results without biotech would likely require hours (if not years) of dedicated yogic practice. And while I’ve experienced the rare treat of absolutely nailing a breathwork class – and success does feel spectacular – I’ve had umpteen attempts that culminated in maddening failure.

Traditional breathwork relies upon intentional and exacting technique, whereas IHHT coaxes your respiratory system to intuitively adjust. Zero frustration or exertion; just mindful, oxygenating breaths to power up the lungs and body at that all-important cellular level.

‘10x’ your nutritional intake

Next is a health consultation with an experienced medical nurse to pinpoint which IV infusion might benefit me, as this could change from week to week. Given my arsenal of supplements at home – a sea of labels resembling the periodic table – this may seem like overkill.

However, I’m often found to be low on iron and magnesium, so clearly diet, tablets and tinctures alone aren’t doing the job. Take fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D, which are notoriously tricky to digest and absorb when taken orally. An alarming proportion of the UK population remains deficient in this very nutrient, so evidently, we all need a helping hand.

Why opt to be hooked up to a drip for supplementary kicks? There’s the considerable matter of bypassing the gastric system (so no inflammation there) alongside the prospect of maximum bioavailability when vitamins enter the bloodstream directly (so no wastage). And there are few better ways to turbo-hydrate than with electrolytes going straight to the source. 

After the IV, I feel less depleted by my over-zealous espresso habit. The following day, my partner mentioned (unprompted) that my skin looks ‘nice’, which is high praise indeed.

Shine a light

I need no convincing to try red-light therapy. I’m already a convert. Even a fortnight away from my at-home LED face mask renders my skin porous and parchment-like, while sensitivity and pigmentation creep back in. Reunited with my regular routine for a week or two, and I’m reliably back on track, so it’s safe to say I’m sold on the results. Imagine my delight to learn that Biowell’s full-body light pod delivers the same skin-deep benefits, plus near-infrared light for more penetrating cellular recovery and repair.

Somewhat counterintuitively, bathing in red light feels rather lovely. With my eyes closed beneath the warm glow, I experience the kind of mid-snooze serenity you get from napping by the pool on holiday. I wonder if this is just a placebo effect, given I’m grateful simply to be a, alone and b, in a place where nobody can badger me for snacks or sign-offs. But red-light therapy is understood to trigger that glorious, cuddly dopamine response, so the feel-good factor is real. I’m reluctant to leave the pod when my session is complete.

The verdict – guilt-free indulgence or future-proofing investment?

We’re working harder than ever to stay strong and delay the onset of ageing. Fitness trackers provide a day-to-day glimpse of how our bodies are getting on, yet nobody is immune to setbacks. We’ve evolved past the point of hitting the gym all week then self-sabotaging with an almighty bender, so it’s particularly frustrating when the markers aren’t moving in the right direction. 

When we commit to self-care to look, feel, and function better, we demand more from ourselves and (rightly) expect this investment to have a noticeable payoff. As such, is there a world in which we move away from self-care that looks like pyjama days and big cream buns to more tangible, beneficial boosts to our overall wellness?

Surely the gradual gains of a biostacking regime – particularly one that services cellular and mitochondrial health, both now and for the future – trounce fleeting satisfaction? It’s entirely guilt-free, and the benefits only continue to grow. And the more conscious biohacks you ‘add in’, the further along your goal trajectory you’ll travel.