I wouldn’t say I like the word biohacking.
For some reason, it feels harsh; it sounds like we are breaking some natural law to create a change in the body. However, they don’t do this when I speak to doctors and researchers in the biohacking community. I think that the word bio-harmonizers would be more fitting. With this in mind, I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Olivia Lessler on my podcast about her journey into medicine and her current approach to optimizing people’s wellness through psychoneuroimmunology.
Rather than simply prescribing medications, Dr. Lessler looks for the root cause of her patients’ ailments and empowers them to take an active role in their healing. When she was at medical school, this shift in perspective went against the trend. Still, it led her to delve deep into the science of the mind-body connection, exploring how our thoughts, emotions, and lifestyle choices can profoundly impact our physical health.
Like most doctors, she is curious about the cause of disease rather than how to treat its symptoms. She noticed that the conventional medical approach often falls short when it comes to addressing the complex, multifaceted nature of chronic conditions. Frustrated by the “guidelines to write prescriptions,” she recognized the need for a more holistic, personalized approach that goes beyond treating symptoms.
The rise of functional medicine and, to some extent, biohacking has brought a wealth of new testing and assessment tools to the table. Some functional medicine Doctors live by the mantra of “test don’t guess,” but others say that testing can lead to over-prescription, even if the prescriptions are more natural remedies. Dr. Lessler is in the latter camp, emphasizing the importance of first addressing the fundamental aspects of health – sleep, diet, movement, and mindset – before diving into extensive (and expensive) testing.
Psychoneuroimmunology is the science of how the mind can influence the body’s immune and nervous systems. This field of study reveals the intricate connections between our psychological state, physiological responses, and overall health.
For example, inflammation can be a double-edged sword. It’s a necessary protective mechanism in the acute stages but can become chronic and harmful if left unchecked. Dr. Lessler helps her patients modulate their inflammatory processes through lifestyle interventions rather than relying solely on anti-inflammatory supplements or medications, which can create a sense of helplessness and mistrust in the body.
Contrary to the common belief that our genes dictate our destiny, Dr. Lessler agrees with Dr. Levine, a Yale geneticist whom I interviewed back in Episode 6. She emphasizes the power of epigenetics—the way our environment and lifestyle choices influence gene expression. She cautions against overreliance on genetic testing, which can often lead to a deterministic mindset and unnecessary interventions.
For those of you who are new to epigenetics, I’ll give a quick, personal example.
My mother has diabetes, as did her aunt. This means my genetics might predispose me to being diabetic. However, if I choose not to eat the same way my mother did, I wouldn’t have the same environmental triggers acting on my genes. Thiswould mean that even though I have the potential to be diabetic, my lifestyle wouldn’t encourage it. The same applies to many situations in which we think that it’s inevitable that we will develop something our parents or grandparents had, but actually, nature is giving us a massive clue and telling us exactly what to do or not to do to avoid what most would consider fate.
Dr. Lessler encourages her patients to focus on the fundamentals: optimizing sleep, nutrition, movement, and mindset, as all these things have a positive effect on our DNA. By addressing these core aspects of health, she has witnessed remarkable transformations in her patients, even in those with complex, chronic conditions.
When it comes to specific recommendations, Dr. Lessler offers the following insights:
As I live in a hot country, I do the opposite and go into cold water. It works a treat!
By embracing this holistic, personalized approach to health and wellness, you and Dr. Lessler’s patients can experience remarkable transformations, even in the face of complex, chronic conditions. Sometimes, you need a coach to help set you up on the right path.
If you want to discuss your specific situation with me, please contact me via the Contact Us page. We’ll see if we can make ‘your lifestyle your medicine’.
Over the last 10 years Ed has been building a YouTube library to help people manage their own pain or movement limitations and increase performance through exercise. He regularly adds videos so be sure to subscribe and visit regularly
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