acute inflammation
A short, useful inflammatory response that heals wounds and fights infection. Unlike chronic inflammation, it fades once its job is done.
Glossary
Biohacking made clear
90 terms you meet in articles, blood results and labels – explained in one or two sentences.
- 90terms
- 9areas
- 7languages
adenosine
A substance that builds up in the brain while awake and increases sleepiness. Caffeine blocks its receptors, masking tiredness without removing it.
adrenaline
The acute alarm hormone. It speeds up the heart, raises blood pressure and opens the airways during fear or hard effort.
aerobic capacity
The body's ability to use oxygen to produce energy, usually expressed as VO2max. Higher capacity goes with healthier ageing.
AMPK
The cell’s energy sensor. Exercise and fasting switch it on, triggering fat burning and mitochondrial renewal.
ApoB
Apolipoprotein B – the number of particles that carry cholesterol into the arteries. A more precise risk marker than LDL alone.
ATP
The cell's energy currency, used to pay for every task. It is produced by the mitochondria.
autophagy
Cellular “clean-up” – the body breaks down and recycles damaged cell parts. Fasting and exercise support it.
BDNF
A protein that supports the growth and survival of neurons – a kind of brain fertiliser. Exercise, learning and cold raise it.
biohacking
Deliberate, measurable fine-tuning of your own biology for health, performance and longevity – from the plate to advanced technology.
BPA
A chemical in some plastics and can linings that mimics hormones. Cutting exposure is one of the cheapest steps you can take.
CGM
Continuous glucose monitor – a small skin sensor that reads blood sugar every few minutes and shows how you react to food.
circadian rhythm
The body’s internal 24-hour clock that governs sleep, hormones and digestion. Morning light sets it.
collagen
The most abundant protein in the body, holding together skin, tendons, cartilage and blood vessels. Production falls with age.
cortisol
The main stress hormone. It should peak in the morning and be lowest at night – a disrupted rhythm harms sleep and metabolism.
creatine
A compound that quickly replenishes ATP in muscles and the brain. Cheap, well studied and safe.
endocrine disrupt
Substances that mimic or block hormones, such as BPA, phthalates and some pesticides.
endorphins
The body's own opioids. They dampen pain and lift mood, for example during running or laughter.
epigenetic
Mechanisms that switch genes on and off without changing DNA. Diet, sleep, stress and exercise shape them.
excitotoxi
Damage to neurons from excess glutamate, which lets too much calcium flood into the cells.
GABA
The main calming neurotransmitter – the nervous system's brake. Alcohol boosts it briefly but unsettles the system long term.
ghrelin
The hunger hormone. It rises before meals and after poor sleep, pushing towards overeating.
glucagon
A pancreatic hormone that raises blood sugar when it drops. It is the counterpart of insulin.
glutathione
The strongest antioxidant inside cells. The body makes it itself but needs sulphur, glycine and cysteine from food.
glyc:aemic index
Shows how fast a food raises blood sugar compared with pure glucose. Individual responses differ, though.
glyc:aemic load
The glycaemic index adjusted for a real portion, which makes it more useful in daily life.
glycation
Sugar sticking spontaneously to proteins and fats. It stiffens vessels, ages skin and damages nerves; HbA1c reflects it.
glymphatic
The brain's waste-clearing system, most active during deep sleep.
GrimAge
A second-generation epigenetic clock that uses DNA methylation in blood to estimate biological age and mortality risk.
HbA1c
Glycated haemoglobin – your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months.
HIIT
High-intensity interval training – short all-out bursts alternated with rest. Effective, but not for every day.
hippocamp
The brain region for memory and orientation. It shrinks with long-term stress and insomnia.
HOMA-IR
An insulin resistance index calculated from fasting glucose and insulin. A value above 2 is a warning sign.
homocysteine
An amino acid that damages blood vessels and the brain when high. Vitamins B12, B6 and folate lower it.
hormesis
The principle that a small dose of stress makes the body stronger – e.g. sauna, cold, fasting or training.
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy, most often in menopause. It eases symptoms and may protect bones and heart.
HRV
Heart rate variability – tiny differences between heartbeats. Higher HRV means better recovery and stress resilience.
hs-CRP
C-reactive protein – a marker of inflammation. The high-sensitivity test (hs-CRP) also detects silent chronic inflammation.
IgA
The main antibody in saliva and mucous membranes – the first line of defence between the body and the outside world.
insulin resistance
A state in which cells respond poorly to insulin, so the body must produce more. It precedes type 2 diabetes by years.
insulin! resistance
A pancreatic hormone that moves sugar from the blood into cells and decides where energy goes. Persistently high insulin is a warning sign.
lactate
A product of intense effort. It is not waste but a full-value fuel for the heart and brain.
LDL
'Bad' cholesterol. It is risky mainly when oxidised; ApoB is a more accurate marker.
leptin
The satiety hormone by which fat tissue tells the brain that reserves are sufficient. In obesity the brain stops responding.
Lpa
Lipoprotein(a) – a genetically determined particle that raises heart attack risk. Measuring it once in a lifetime is enough.
melatonin
The darkness hormone that tells the body it is time to sleep. Blue light from screens suppresses it.
methylfolate
The active form of folate. People with an MTHFR gene variant handle it better than synthetic folic acid.
microbiome
Trillions of gut bacteria that influence digestion, immunity, mood and weight.
microplastics
Plastic fragments under 5 mm, already found in blood, brain and placenta. Main sources are bottled water and heating food in plastic.
mitochondri
Tiny “power plants” in cells that turn food and oxygen into energy (ATP).
mTOR
The main “growth switch” in cells. Protein and insulin activate it; alternating growth and rest is key to longevity.
NAD
A molecule needed for energy production and DNA repair. Levels fall with age.
NREM
The two main sleep stages: deep NREM restores the body, dream-rich REM serves memory and emotional processing.
NSDR
'Non-Sleep Deep Rest' – 10–20 minutes of guided relaxation that can stand in for a short nap.
omega-3 index
The share of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes. Optimal is above 8%.
oxidative stress
An excess of free radicals over antioxidants that damages cells and speeds up ageing.
oxytocin
The hormone of trust and bonding, released by hugs, touch, childbirth and breastfeeding.
PFAS
Perfluorinated 'forever chemicals' from non-stick pans, water-proofing and some paper packaging. They take centuries or longer to break down.
phthalates
Plastic softeners found in packaging, cosmetics and fragrances. They can lower testosterone and may hide behind the word 'parfum'.
PPAR:-gamma
A cell receptor that controls fat storage and the inflammatory response. Some drugs and omega-3s activate it.
prebiotics
Fibres that feed beneficial gut bacteria – found in onion, garlic, leek and artichoke.
probiotics
Live beneficial bacteria in food or supplements – such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi.
prolactin
A hormone released after orgasm and childbirth that brings calm. When chronically high it lowers libido and testosterone.
resveratrol
A red-grape polyphenol that activates sirtuins. Supplements contain many times more than a glass of wine.
sarcopenia
Gradual age-related loss of muscle. Inactivity, low protein and hormonal changes speed it up.
SCFA
Short-chain fatty acids made by gut bacteria from fibre. The best known, butyrate, feeds colon cells.
serotonin
A neurotransmitter linked to calm, satiety and stable mood. Most of it is made in the gut.
SHBG
A protein that binds sex hormones. The more SHBG, the less free (active) testosterone and oestrogen.
sirtuins
A family of enzymes that protect DNA and influence the pace of ageing. Fasting and exercise activate them.
spermidine
A molecule that supports autophagy. Wheat germ, mushrooms and fermented natto are rich sources.
telomere
Protective “caps” at the ends of chromosomes. They shorten with each cell division – a marker of ageing.
testosterone
The main male sex hormone, also present in smaller amounts in women. It affects libido, energy, muscle and mood.
thrombosis
A blood clot in a vessel. Long sitting, inflammation and some inherited clotting disorders raise the risk.
trans fats
Fats created by partially hardening oils – the most harmful type of fat. Labels reveal them as 'partially hydrogenated'.
triglycerides
The main storage form of fat in the blood. High values often point to too much sugar and alcohol.
TSH
The pituitary hormone that instructs the thyroid. The biohacking optimum is roughly below 2.5.
ultra-processed
Group 4 of the NOVA classification: industrial mixtures with emulsifiers, syrups, flavourings or colours that a normal kitchen would not make.
vagus nerve
The longest nerve in the body, linking the brain with the heart, lungs and gut. Good vagal tone means faster recovery.
VO2smax
The maximum amount of oxygen your body can use. One of the strongest predictors of lifespan.
xenobiotics
Substances foreign to the body, such as drugs, toxins and pollution. The liver converts them into forms it can excrete.
yoga nidra
'Yogic sleep' – guided relaxation lying down, one of the most effective ways to recharge quickly during the day.
zinc
A trace mineral needed for immunity, healing and testosterone production. Long-term high doses deplete copper.
zone 2
Low-intensity exercise at which you can still talk. It trains mitochondria and fat burning best.
zonulin
A protein that controls the permeability of the gut wall. High levels are linked to 'leaky gut' and autoimmunity.
No term found.
Link copied