Biohacking With Herbs: Ancient Wisdom For Modern Optimization

Biohacking is a hot health trend among the ultra health and fitness-conscious, elite athletes, and those seeking to optimize performance and/or address mysterious symptoms or health concerns.

At its core, biohacking involves experimenting with various health, nutrition, hormonal, supplementation, and fitness practices at varying degrees to create exceptional health and longevity.

Although biohacking is a relatively new phrase, it’s not a new practice.

For example, people across cultures have used functional plants and foods to promote performance, vitality, optimal sleep, libido, and healthy aging.

In Ayurveda, for example, certain classes of ancient herbs, such as rasayanas, adaptogens, and nootropics are ideal for biohackers.

In this article, you’ll learn the basics of biohacking with herbs, including the benefits of using whole herbs versus synthetic supplements, the best herbs for biohacking stress, sleep, hormones, cognitive performance, and gut health, and how to stack herbs for optimal results.

Contents

• What is Biohacking?
• Herbs for Biohacking
• Adaptogen Herbs for Biohacking (Stress Support)
• Nootropic Herbs for Biohacking (Brain Health)
• Digestive Herbs for Biohacking (Gut Health)
• Superfood Herbs for Biohacking (Total Wellness)
• How to Stack Herbs for Biohacking
• Organic Optimization

What is Biohacking?

Biohacking is the practice of using natural or synthetic substances and lifestyle practices, such as diet, fitness, pharmaceuticals, cold plunges, sauna therapy, recreational drugs, homeopathy, breathwork, meditation, and herbs to optimize various aspects of health and improve energy, performance, and longevity.

Biohackers typically aren’t satisfied or are not getting desired results with the basics (healthy food, sleep, stress management, hydration, and community); they want or need to go further in their health journey.

Many doctors, healthcare practitioners, and fitness experts are natural biohackers because they see it as their duty to experiment before introducing new patient protocols.

If you are willing and eager to try out cutting-edge health trends such as supplement regimes, dietary changes, herbs, fitness routines, stress management practices, unconventional mental health practices like microdosing or theta healing, or even using drugs for off-label purposes, consider yourself a biohacker.

Traditional Herbs for Modern Optimization

The primary goal of biohacking is to bring your health to the next level while promoting greater longevity.

Although there are many ways to go about this, most people don’t have the time or expendable income to invest in things like a cold plunge pool, weekly body work, Ayahuasca retreats, or expensive supplements and/or drug protocols.

This is where herbs shine for biohacking, because:

• They are affordable
• Generally safe when used as directed
• Totally natural
• Have a long history of traditional use
• Most are evidence-based and/or in the process of being researched
• They’re very accessible and easy to use

Herbs are also versatile and adaptable. Whether you’re new to biohacking or an old pro, there are endless herbs to help you achieve your health, fitness, and longevity goals.

Performance with Plants, not Pills

As you’ve likely heard, biohacking can become extreme, and people do get hurt going overboard, especially with synthetic substances or very limited or extreme dieting.

Herbs offer a safer and more moderate solution for biohacking.

Whole herbs contain all the natural phytochemicals, constituents, and checks and balances of the whole plant, whereas an isolated compound exists outside its natural state.

Even plant isolates, such as bioidentical hormones or caffeine, or nutrient isolates, like lab-made vitamins, can increase the risk of other conditions due to their synthetic nature.

That doesn’t mean they don’t have benefits or may not be appropriate for some people. 

The point is that whole herbs are whole foods, and the FDA treats them as such. As such, they are naturally safer than isolates or synthetic ingredients.

The Best Herbs For Biohacking

Without further ado, here are some of the best Ayurvedic herbs for biohacking stress, sleep, cortisol, cognitive performance, and gut health, as well as superfood herbs for optimizing nutrition, naturally.

Adaptogen Herbs for Biohacking

Adaptogens are a favorite among biohackers.

This category of herbs helps fortify and protect the body’s stress response, promoting greater resilience, strength, and vitality in everyday life and during stressful times.

Various adaptogens have been used for centuries across cultures, especially in very harsh climates such as the South American, Russian, and South Asian mountain ranges. 

How Do Adaptogens Work?

Adaptogens’ primary function is to support the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the production and release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

The HPA axis has a downstream effect on all other hormonal (endocrine) processes in the body related to things like reproduction, sleep, and blood sugar.

Adaptogens also have a calming effect on the nervous system, making them an excellent anti-stress ally.

Ayurvedic Adaptogen Herbs For Biohacking:

• Ashwagandha: Also known as Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng, this adaptogenic herb has been shown to support healthy sleep, energy, emotional well-being, immunity, sexual function, and more.
• Bacopa: Also known as Brahmi, Bacopa is traditionally used for its cognitive health, stress-reducing, and emotional benefits.
• Shatavari: Also known as Asparagus racemosus, this is considered the ultimate adaptogen for female wellness at all stages of life.
• Tulsi: Also known as Holy Basil or “liquid yoga”, this sacred adaptogen is well-known and studied for its stress-relieving, immune-supportive, detoxifying, calming, and enlightening properties.
• Turmeric: Turmeric and its active compound, Curcumin, are a favorite among biohackers. It’s also one of the world’s most studied herbs and is widely used for exercise recovery, minor pain management, immune support, inflammatory response, healthy skin, brain function, cardiovascular function, and gut health.

Learn more by clicking the links above, and in: Top 11 Adaptogens for Energy and Focus

Nootropic Herbs for Biohacking

Nootropics are often gateway biohacking herbs because of their brain health benefits (and who couldn’t use more brain power these days!).

Herbal nootropics contain various plant compounds, such as antioxidants, that help support the normal function and supply of neurochemicals in the brain like enzymes, neurotransmitters, and hormones. 

This is why they work on various aspects of cognitive function, including focus, intelligence, memory, and emotional well-being.

There are also non herbal nootropics, such as pharmaceuticals.

Examples of Ayurvedic Nootropic Herbs for Biohacking:

• Bacopa: Also known as the “herb of grace”, Bacopa is another adaptogen-nootropic powerhouse and nervine (herb that supports nervous system function), making it a popular choice for promoting cognitive performance.
• Gotu Kola: Also known as the “herb of longevity, this adaptogen and nootropic is well-known for its brain and emotional support properties.
• Shankhpushpi: Although little-known in the West, this herb is considered one of Ayurveda’s most potent nootropics for brain function, intellect, memory, and reducing stress.

Related reading: Your Guide To Adaptogens Vs Nootropics

Digestive Herbs for Biohacking

Although traditional wellness practices and herbal philosophies vary, nearly everyone agrees that health and disease begin in the gut.

Without optimal digestion, we cannot absorb the nutrients that fuel all our bodily processes and Prana (energy).

A healthy gut microbiome is also essential for immune function, a healthy inflammatory response, hormonal recycling and elimination, detoxification, and mental/emotional well-being.

So, if you’re not sure where to start biohacking, start with your digestion and gut health.

The following Ayurvedic herbs for biohacking gut health can help

• Psyllium: This natural plant fiber promotes regularity, motility, and gut microbiome diversity as well as cardiovascular health. It also makes a great addition to gluten-free and vegan baking.
• Bael leaf: Considered a sacred plant in Ayurveda, Bael leaf acts as a non-stimulant stool softener and laxative and has been shown to promote healthy gut bacterial balance and normal bowel inflammatory response.
• Triphala: Triphala is one of Ayurveda’s oldest formulas and is a blend of three fruits: Amla, Haritaki and Bibhitaki. Considered a whole body tonic, the fruits in Triphala have powerful antioxidant properties and help promote healthy digestion and elimination.

Triphala is also considered tridoshic, meaning it’s good for body types.

Related reading: Surprising Side Effects of Senna (and a tri-herb alternative)

Superfood Herbs for Biohacking

Biohackers all have their favorite superfoods for clean energy, such as greens powders, mushroom blends, and exotic berries.

Various Ayurvedic herbs can provide comparable benefits, backed by a millennia of wisdom and traditional use.

These herbs also make excellent coffee or tea alternatives, if one is trying to cut back or eliminate caffeine to improve performance.

Examples of Ayurvedic Superfood Herbs for Biohacking Include:

• Moringa: This leaf is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet containing all eight amino acids (complete protein), iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, C, K, and several B vitamins.
  • Try this Iced Chocolate Moringa Latte as a staple summertime superfood beverage.
• Amla: Also known as Amalaki or Indian Gooseberry, Amla is prized as an Ayurvedic superfruit for beauty, energy, hormonal health, immune function, and more. 
• Triphala: As mentioned in the previous section, Triphala’s three-fruit formula is chock-full of nutrients, like vitamin C, and protective antioxidants. It’s a three-in-one superfruit tonic that can benefit everyone.

Related reading: Moringa vs. Spirulina vs. Wheatgrass: Super Green Rank

How to Stack Herbs for Biohacking

Stacking is a biohacking method that involves taking herbs, supplements, or other substances at different times of day.

This maximizes efficiency and, in some cases, may enhance results depending on your goals.

Here’s a sample herb stacking protocol to try.

• Upon Waking: Triphala for cleansing and to kick-start digestion.
  • Organic India offers Triphala in capsule or powder for versatility and variety.
• Morning: Drink a Tulsi + Moringa Tea or Moringa Latte for clean energy and nutrition.
• Midday: Take Bacopa and or Gotu Kola for focus.
  • Organic India offers Bacopa and Gotu Kola as individual supplements, or combined in our Memory supplement
• Evening: Take Ashwagandha (capsule, gummy, or powder) and a Chamomile Tea or Tulsi Ashwgandha tea to optimize sleep.

You can adjust this to suit your needs and tastes. As always, check with your herbalist, doctor or healthcare practitioner (ideally trained in Ayurveda and/or herbalism) before beginning a new herbal supplement routine.

Biohacking With Herbs: An Organic Path to Whole Person Optimization

Biohacking can seem or become extreme, but it doesn’t have to be that way to get results.

Herbs, like the ones discussed in this article, have been safely helping people optimize body, mind, spirit, and longevity for centuries.

However, not all herbs are created equal, and this is especially important when taking several different herbs, such as in herb stacking.

When choosing the best herbs for biohacking, look for regenerative organic certified (ROC) herbs which are naturally free from pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and genetically modified substances.

You also want to ensure the products are tested, from field to bottle, for contaminants, identity, potency, and purity.

Organic India’s herbal products all meet these criteria, making them a safe and ideal choice for herbal biohacking.

Click the links above to shop or learn more about the herbs discussed, or click here to shop all Organic India’s herbal supplements, teas, gummies, lattes, and fibers.