Medical expert analyzes trending IV treatment, concerns about peptides
Dr. Mike Varshavski joins 'Fox & Friends' for Wellness Week, exploring popular self-care treatments. He examines IV vitamin therapy, highlighting its important role in the hospital against the unproven benefits of normal health, citing potential risks such as vitamin imbalances. Dr. Mike also separates creatine, a research-based supplement, from off-label peptides with unproven anti-aging and muscle growth promises, encouraging caution in patients.
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We are officially living in the age of “maxxing”.
From “lookmaxxing” to improve appearance to “sleepmaxxing” to get better rest, these common words point to a common goal: to squeeze every bit of energy out of a particular habit or habit.
With an increasing focus on improving well-being and increasing longevity, the trend has shifted to what is known as “humanmaxxing,” which raises a big question: How far would humans go to improve the human body?
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Although there is no single definition of humanmaxxing, the practice generally refers to efforts to improve health, performance and longevity through a combination of lifestyle habits, health tracking, supplements and, in some cases, additional experimental interventions.
Although there is no single definition of humanmaxxing, the practice generally refers to efforts to improve health, performance and longevity through a combination of lifestyle habits, health tracking, supplements and, in some cases, additional experimental interventions. (Stock)
For some, the movement begins with biohacking. According to Dave Asprey, a Texas-based health expert who calls himself the “father of biohacking,” improving your body starts with changing your environment.
Asprey defined biohacking as “the art and science of changing your environment or within yourself so that you can take full control of your biology.”
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His public advice focuses on increasing cellular energy through daily choices such as intermittent fasting, high-fat diets, red light therapy and supplement procedures.
“My goal right now is 180 years, because I'm doing something now instead of waiting,” he said.
Medical experts warn that self-examination bypasses the rigorous safety checks required by mainstream medical science. (Stock)
Others have adopted a data-driven approach. Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, creator of the multimillion-dollar longevity project Blueprint in Los Angeles, argues that getting fit means removing human error from health decisions and relying instead on medical information.
“In terms of methodology, we wanted to build an algorithm with science and data that I cared about better than I did,” Johnson wrote on his website. “My brain didn't have the authority to override the algorithm.”
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Johnson's process involves tracking hundreds of health metrics, eating a precisely measured diet, taking dozens of supplements, and undergoing advanced treatments in an effort to shorten his life expectancy.
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At the other end of the spectrum are those who invest in technology aimed at pushing the limits of human performance.
London-based tech investor Christian Angermayer recently described humanmaxxing as a strategy to grow people.
Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, creator of the multimillion-dollar longevity project Blueprint, says optimizing the body means removing human error from health decisions and instead relying on medical information. (Stock)
“I don't think we should be something different, because I think people are very good, but I think we can increase the power [that] it's already with us,” he said in an interview with the New York Times.
Angermayer's investment company, Apeiron Investment Group, focuses on technologies aimed at helping people “live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.” He also founded atai Life Sciences, a biotechnology company that develops psychological treatments for mental health conditions that are currently being tested in clinical trials.
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As interest in humanmaxxing grows, mainstream health professionals urge consumers to separate evidence-based health practices from experimental interventions.
Public guidance from the National Institute on Aging notes that while some antiaging treatments have shown promise in laboratory research, there is insufficient evidence that they can safely extend a person's life.
As interest in humanmaxxing grows, mainstream health professionals urge consumers to separate evidence-based health practices from experimental interventions. (Stock)
Medical experts also warn that self-examination can exceed the strict safety standards used in conventional medicine.
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According to the Endocrine Society, taking things like testosterone or growth hormone without a medical need can lead to serious health risks, including heart problems and long-term disruption of the body's chemical balance.
While many massaging practices overlap with normal healthy lifestyle practices, experts say consumers should be wary of expensive or experimental interventions that promise huge anti-aging benefits or longevity without solid scientific evidence.
