Biohacking for Recovery

5 Biohacking Techniques for Mental Health and Addiction

Some fundamental principles of biohacking involve self-experimentation and optimization. At its core, biohacking is about encouraging individuals to take charge of their biology, challenging traditional medicine methods. Here are some of the top five places to start with biohacking.

1. Nutritional Biohacking

Your diet plays a significant role in your mental health and overcoming addiction. Eating plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals encourages brain regulation and functioning. On the other hand, a diet full of processed carbohydrates can increase your blood pressure, create oxidative stress and even contribute to conditions like depression. Daily supplements are helpful to ensure you are receiving the right nutrients. 

2. Sleep Optimization

We can all feel a difference in our bodies when we get enough sleep. Higher sleep quality helps the brain function properly, eliminating brain fog and improving problem-solving skills. Getting enough sleep can also reduce stress and increase mood — two factors that can lead to addiction when at their worst. To optimize your sleep, avoid stimulants and heavy meals before bed, limit napping throughout the day and reduce your screen time in the evenings.

3. Exercise and Physical Activity

Moving your body releases a chemical called endorphins, which can boost mood and improve overall mental well-being. For this reason, exercise is one of the first natural treatment options for those with a mental health condition or addiction.

Regarding physical activity, it is important to find a form you enjoy that will motivate you to continue. Walking, yoga, swimming, running and hiking are good places to start.

4. Stress Management Techniques

Prolonged periods of elevated stress can impact your mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, addiction and panic disorders. Biohacking helps patients discover what stress management techniques work best for them, whether it’s practicing mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing or other options.

5. Technology and Tools

Through today’s advanced technology, we can track our mental health more than ever. Smartwatches and smartphone apps are equipped with health-monitoring features such as sleep patterns, heart rate, blood pressure and activity levels — all factors that are important to biohacking.

Our Approach to Biohacking for Mental Health and Addiction

At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we provide expert guidance on biohacking treatment plans. Our specialists understand biohacking and its relationship to mental health and addiction to create a plan that meets your body’s requirements. Specifically, we take a collaborative approach to complement traditional therapy and treatments with biohacking.

Customized Programs

We source our biohacking health plans from various programs, which will help you find the right one for your lifestyle. We are passionate about integrating holistic techniques into our programs, combining biohacking methods with other recovery types and treatments.

You are free to choose from the following customizable programs:

• Dry flotation therapy: Dry flotation therapy simulates a weightless, floating sensation without getting wet. During a session, you will lie on a water-filled membrane to eliminate sensory distractions and promote relaxation.
• Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy: PEMF therapy provides small, intermittent electrical currents to the brain. This treatment helps reduce inflammation and pressure in the brain.
• Colon hydrotherapy: Colon hydrotherapy uses fluids to flush waste from the colon. In doing so, the body and mind can better heal without the presence of digestive waste toxins.
• Red light therapy: Red light therapy involves sitting in a room with infrared light. Prolonged exposure to this light source boosts serotonin and dopamine levels, which is especially helpful against seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression.
• Infrared sauna therapy: Infrared sauna therapy is similar to red light therapy but uses light exposure to heat the body. It works to improve chronic pain, reduce stress and promote sleep quality.
• Hypoxic therapy: Hypoxic therapy focuses on increasing an individual’s oxygen levels, addressing chronic mental health conditions and strengthening your cardiovascular system. During this form of therapy, you will be exposed to a simulation of high-altitude environments while relaxing in comfort.
• Brain laser therapy: Brain laser therapy uses low levels of infrared light to target specific areas of brain tissue, stimulating neurotransmitter release. As a result, individuals feel relief from various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction.
• Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy: WBV therapy involves performing exercises on a vibrating platform. This technique can improve muscle and bone health while stimulating cognitive functioning.