The Art of Biohacking

In a blue vastness,
Amid a crimson tide,
A pearl shines.

湧いて､
光が必要。
湧いて，
それなしでどうしよう？
湧いて、
金と青を救え。
速く湧いて、
国を癒やして。

A beautifully imperfect reality;
A mountain yet to be climbed.
But the path is clear,
And we keep walking.

Sit or lie down in a comfortable pose. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes, if you prefer. Dating back to ancient gurus in the Indus Valley, meditation is one of the most enduring stress relievers. Whether in complete silence or to soothing music, the gist of meditation is lowering cortisol. Controlling the stress-inducing hormone will prevent the production of cytokines, the pesky chemicals that contribute to fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation.

An eight-week study that involved mindfulness meditation confirmed a plethora of physical and psychological benefits. What is essentially mind gymnastics helps alleviate such symptoms as PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, and dementia. You can engage in self-guided meditation, either using your own methods or checking out apps like Headspace and Calm. If group meditation is more your cup of tea (a form of nutritional meditation, in itself), then give it a try. Emotional benefits like self-awareness, compassion, and positive thinking are likewise unmistakable.

“Cute as a cucumber “ is more than an expression. It is a lifestyle. While they look silly and Freudian, cucumbers offer a wealth of healthy benefits. Consisting of 96% water, they serve as the perfect cleanser for your G.I. tract. Vitamin K (optimal for bone health), antioxidants, and electrolytes are only a few of the nutrients this overlooked vegetable contains.

The next time you prepare or order a salad, consider adding cucumbers. Your body, mind, and immune system will thank you. Go beyond the cucumber eye mask, and try a cucumber-added juice, smoothie, or cucumber-infused water. The results will be reduced inflammation, regulated blood clotting, as well as lower risks of diabetes and cancer. Stay healthy and cute with cucumbers!

This is not a joke… Laughter is essential to your health! Not only is it invigorating and cathartic for the mind, laughter also revs up your organs. It enhances oxygen intake, thus stimulating the heart and lungs by increasing the endorphins released into the brain. 
Whether a giggle, a chuckle, or an uproarious guffaw, laughter helps regulate blood pressure, deftly heating up then cooling down your nervous system. It enables the body to release peptides, which help relieve physical pain, as well as mental and emotional trauma. Laughter is contagious. It is medicine. 

Java, Joe, or coffee: By any other name, it is a healthy treat. Forget the myth that coffee is the first thing to go, once you begin any kind of cleanse. In fact, it works miracles on the mind, body, and even the heart. Full of nutrients, coffee is a natural energy drink, not to mention a fat-burner. Coffee lovers (myself included) can rejoice, as 1-3 cups daily improves digestion and lowers the risk of death by 12-17%, thanks to the antioxidant-rich compounds like chlorigenic acids, diterpines, and kahweol. 

A coffee drinker never forgets! A study by the Radiological Society of North America confirmed that daily consumption of Java improves cognitive functions and short-term memory, as well as lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s. Coffee is a triple threat against the triple C: cancer, cirrhosis, and cavities. Sip on that, health gurus! 

Paging Dr. Mozart!
Medical doctors, psychologists, and researchers continuously vouch for the healing and restorative effects of Mozart’s music. Otolaryngologist Alfred Tomatis is among the composer’s biggest fans: He used the “K448 Concerto” during speech therapy with the then-unknown actor Gerard Depardieu. 

Listening to ten minutes of Mozart daily is said to improve cognitive functions, focus, and memory; furthermore, it sharpens the minds of Alzheimer’s patients.
The composer brings physical healing, as well. Endocrinology professor John Jenkins reported that 10 minutes of “K448” diminished the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures; doctors in Sweden noted improved health in expecting mothers, as well as a decrease in infant mortality rates. Musical therapy not only heals but brings back to life: The critically-wounded marshal general Richelieu cheated death at 78 and lived till 91, after requesting to hear Mozart.