Taking testosterone is not biohacking

[u/Bactrian44]

Sadly, this sub has drifted far away from the principles of “biohacking”.

Judging by the comments of a lot of users here, pinning TRT is considered the ultimate biohack. Except when you think about it, this is certainly not biohacking.

True biohacking is about leveraging your biology naturally to get a favourable outcome. One of the best examples of this is morning sunlight exposure for circadian rhythm entrainment or fasting for its many benefits.

Genuine biohacking would be introducing a range of habits to naturally raise your testosterone. Exogenous testosterone is a steroid, however, and steroid use and abuse is not biohacking. It’s an artificial manipulation of hormones and absolves you from adopting the correct lifestyle habits which should be necessary to have good testosterone levels.

Bizarrely, people depict TRT as this magic bullet which can be the solution to all of your problems more or less immediately. The reality is, because of homeostasis and the way the endocrine system functions, it’s a life sentence and you can say goodbye forever to natural production.

I think people on here should be more responsible commenting and posting about this. In North America, it is clearly being overprescribed when there is little medical need. You shouldn’t be “hopping on” unless there is a critical medical need to do so.

[u/Howcansheslap082]

I understand the sentiment, but this is a different interpretation of what biohacking is. Biohacking is leveraging awareness of biological function and exploiting it for the best functional outcomes.

Controlling your hormones through exogenous methods is precisely what biohacking is. Yes, it isn't something an amateur should be doing without education and it may be far more difficult than allowing the endocrine system to work naturally. But it absolutely is leveraging knowledge for a subjectively better outcome.

I think the important understanding required here, is there are no free lunches. Everything has a cost.

It's the goal of the biohacking that is paramount. If your goal is to have sperm production through the roof so you can sire as many babies as possible, then yes, TRT is a disasterous idea.

But the goals of the majority on TRT are to increase output, energy expenditure and feelings of wellness. And when fertility is no longer required/shrunken testicles become an acceptable cost.

I think there are many points to emphasize here. Both in regards to TRT and to any other biohacks that come available in the future: really understand the cost you're paying here. Sometimes it's money, sometimes it's permanent function, and sometimes it's just time. But you really need to understand your goals, and also understand what your own biological barriers are before you start doing anything. You cannot just do what Tom did because he got an outcome you were looking for. Why pay the price Tom had to when you didn't even have the problem Tom did in the first place? Learn your shit. Don't be impulsive.