Hello Forecasters,
Welcome back to the Inflection Point.
Ever get a blood test on a first date?
While that may not seem romantic, technology is expanding how we determine compatibility.
When someone asks your 'age,' they most likely mean your chronological age — but for a growing niche, one's phenotypic age is far more important.
Not sure what that means?
We got you.
TLDR;
- Spa social clubs are on the rise.
- Biohacking communities are driving the longevity movement (with very particular dating criteria).
- Blue light blockers, peptide injections, and mitochondrial health are among the most popular trends in the space — we've got an expanded list for you at the end.
Let's dive in.
Humans have been reinventing bathhouse culture since the dawn of civilization.
Greek gymnasiums focused on cleanliness and preparation for athletic activity — while Roman baths were lavish social hubs where people could meet, relax, and conduct business.
These ancient clubs, which included gardens, libraries, shops, and lecture halls, served as multifunctional centers of urban life.
Today, we see the rise of social self-care woven into the worlds of tech, longevity, and dating.
Spa memberships are on the rise.
The pandemic triggered a boom in private membership clubs.
People are paying more for experiences and places of perceived community. In tandem, we're seeing the decline of dating apps and the resurgence of connecting IRL. *Hello, running clubs.
And while private membership clubs are nothing new, their modern amenities are.
Co-working areas and juice bars are expanding into red-light therapy and cryo rooms. Some, like Othership, are entering into the realm of entertainment.
Think:
- 100-person performance saunas
- live-instrumental soundscapes
- guided visualizations
- primal screaming
- custom ice baths
- aromatherapy
- group shares
And more…
They even offer social and comedy nights and have DJs play *yes, sober.
Our bet is that it won't be long until we see designer sauna hats hit the market.
Many people who can afford spa memberships identify somewhere along the biohacking spectrum.
Father of the term, Dave Asprey, explains that biohacking aims to teach people how to control their biology.
While people have different goals, longevity is assumed to be primary.
The foundational pillars are:
- Diet
- Sleep
- Fitness
- Meditation
Once you've optimized all that, then you can take the next steps of addressing:
- Stress
- Trauma
- Self-Talk
And move on to the more advanced world of biohacking.
Biohacker communities rely heavily on breakthrough technologies and supplements.
Blood tests, fitness trackers, supplements, and experimental injections underpin strategies to optimize phenotypic age.
Also known as 'biological age,' phenotypic age measures how well a person's body functions relative to average health and fitness levels.
In medicine, phenotypic age is a growing area of interest because it can be used to predict disease and access aging. It's typically calculated with nine blood markers that measure metabolism, inflammation, and organ function.
Your body can be younger than you are.
One 45-year-old tech CEO spends $2M a year on tests and procedures, such as injecting his teenage son's blood to allow him to "age slower than a 10-year-old."
According to Johnson, his phenotypic age is 18.
Be a skeptic; ask questions.
Kim Kardashian is endorsing MRI scans now.
The American College of Radiology, which theoretically stands to benefit from more imaging, said that “there is no documented evidence that total body screening is cost-efficient or effective in prolonging life."
The biohacking industry has spurred many debates within the medical community. Therefore, it is essential to research decisions based on your specific needs and body type rather than influencer marketing.
AI is revolutionizing the personalized health market.
We live in a world where, for the right price, you can measure anything in your body.
The leaders of this emerging field are those who operate biohacking clinics. They are often doctors, scientists, and experts sitting on decades worth of data.
These individuals are now training their own AI models.
"If you tell us enough about who you are and where you want to go, we can tell you exactly what you need to measure, what bio hacks to do, what supplements to take, and even what pharmaceuticals to use."
-Dave Asprey
AI lets us have all the data we need.
Whether from wearables or medical lab tests, your data can now run through the lens of your desired outcome.
If you went to your doctor and said, "I want to show up as a stronger, healthier, more powerful human being," what would their response be?
Conventional medicine often lacks the ability to interpret specific tests and biomarkers. Longevity optimization wasn't the focus of their schooling; addressing health symptoms was.
Doctors may know concerning levels of this or that but often have no metric for longevity.
Biohackers promote expansive freedom, looking to AI to accelerate our ability to test, measure, and consume.
For some, the first dates are at the clinic.
Compatibility isn't just about personality but also genes and lifestyle. It's not uncommon to see vax status on dating apps.
NWO.ai created a portfolio to track trends within the biohacking space.
In real-time, we're monitoring:
- Which trends have grown the most over the past three years
- What topics scientific communities are discussing
- Which signals are forecast to explode next year
Here are 14 biohacking signals on the rise:
1) Blue Light Blockers
2) Resveratrol
3) Peptides
4) Mitochondrial Health
5) Cold Plunge
6) Red Light Therapy
7) Breath Work
8) Lymphatic Drainage Massage
9) EMF Tapping
10) Contrast Therapy
11) Grip Strength Test
12) Electrolytes
13) Faraday Cages
14) Affirmations
Many of these trends can be found in this parody video, "Biohackers On a First Date Be Like..."
And yes, while many of these lifestyle practices are still fringe, biohacking is growing in consumer interest.
Brands in health and wellness, technology, and community building have an opportunity to connect with hyper-conscious, informed customers willing to pay for quality products and experiences.
Ok, that's all we've got for now.
Thanks for spending time with us on this week's Inflection Point.
We'll see you next time.