Biohacking your way to better leadership performance
In recent years, the term “biohacking” has become increasingly popular, as people look for new ways to optimise their health and well-being. Biohacking can be defined as the use of technology to hack the human body, in order to improve its performance. While some biohackers try out simple techniques such as intermittent fasting or meditation, others have taken things to a whole new level with implanted devices and genetic engineering.
The modern biohacking movement is thought to have originated in Silicon Valley, where tech-savvy individuals began applying the principles of hacking to their own bodies. Since then, it has snowballed into a global phenomenon, with biohackers now using a wide range of technologies and techniques to improve their health and well-being. While some biohacks are more extreme than others, the ultimate goal is always the same: to live a healthier, happier life.
This probably conjures up images of people performing dangerous experiments on themselves in makeshift laboratories. However, the reality is much more mundane. Biohacking simply refers to the use of technology to hack into the human body in order to improve its performance. This can be anything from wearing a fitness tracker to monitor your physical activity to taking supplements to boost your cognitive abilities.
If you’re looking to improve your health and well-being, without committing to a full-on technological biohacking lifestyle, liquid mushroom extracts are a great place to start. Mushroom extracts have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and are now gaining popularity in the west as a natural way to boost immunity, improve energy levels, and promote gut health.
When it comes to mushrooms, not all fungi are created equal. While regular mushrooms are a delicious and healthy addition to any diet, they don’t offer the same nutritional punch as their functional mushroom counterparts. Functional mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, and are adaptogenic, meaning they may help the body manage physical, chemical, and biological stress. In addition, functional mushrooms have been shown to boost immunity, improve cognitive function, and promote gut health.
I started using functional mushrooms— specifically the Life Cykel liquid mushroom extracts— after I seriously burnt myself out, and needed to step away from the caffein. I introduced lions main and cordyceps into my daily cups of matcha, for a more natural, slow release energy boost. I felt much better, and I was able to wean myself off my absurd caffein addiction (I’m talking like 7 cups a day: I used to drink black coffee like water!)
So if you’re looking for a simple way to start prioritising your health, we’re excited to be partnering with Life Cykel to give the Humanitarian Changemakers Network community 10% off, with the code HUMANITY10.
Life Cykel – Humanitarian Changemakers Network
Life Cykel Life Cykel was co-founded by Julian Mitchell and Ryan Creed in 2015 when they decided to collect coffee waste from Australian cafes and restaurants and used it to grow gourmet mushrooms, which they could sell back to the community.
There are many different ways to pursue biohacking, and it’s really up to the individual to decide what works best for them. Some people like to experiment with different dietary interventions, while others focus on physical hacks like exercise and breathing techniques. If functional mushrooms sound like something you want to try, we definitely recommend trying Life Cykel’s mushroom products!
As a leader of change, you already know it can be a daunting and stressful task. There are always so many variables to consider, and the stakes are often high. In such a high-pressure environment, it’s easy to let our own physical health fall by the wayside. However, if we want to be effective changemakers, it’s imperative that we take care of our bodies. After all, they are the vessels through which we bring about change in the world. When we’re physically healthy, we’re better able to think clearly and make rational decisions. We’re also better able to handle stress and navigate difficult situations.