In the fast-moving world of biohacking, today’s hot new tech is tomorrow’s ancient relic.
But with a flood of gadgets hitting the market — each promising to boost your health in exciting, and sometimes outrageous, ways — how do you know which ones actually deliver?
Dave Asprey is on a mission to find out.
“Because I created the biohacking movement, I get a chance to see every kind of technology when it first comes out,” Asprey told The Post.
The entrepreneur and best-selling author often has a stack of new devices waiting to be tested, weighing whether they’re worth the investment — not just in money, but in the most precious currency to biohackers: time.
“What I want to do is get you more results in less time,” said Asprey, 52. “That’s my primary focus.”
Asprey showcases his favorite gadgets at Upgrade Labs, which he calls the world’s “first AI-powered longevity center,” offering members a range of cutting-edge therapies that have biohacking billionaires buzzing — all for the price of a gym membership.
“With every piece of technology, Dave has vetted it, put it in his home and proved it,” said Griff Long, Upgrade Labs’ president and a longtime professional endurance athlete.
“Most devices work, and some don’t really do much at all,” Asprey added. “What I’m doing is I’m saying, is this device worth it per unit of effort and per minute of time, and is it better than anything else out there?”
The goal is to deliver the maximum number of benefits in the shortest possible time.
“This really matters, because we could all spend eight hours a day trying to live longer, but the problem is you have to live 50% longer just to break even,” Asprey said.
In the fall, The Post visited another Upgrade Labs location in Texas, where Asprey and Long gave us the inside scoop on the biohacking tech they’re most excited about.
An added bonus: They’re drug-free — and that includes supplements.
First up: The BackHug
Touted as the “world’s first robotic back therapist,” the high-tech device from Pacla Medical uses artificial intelligence to scan your spine and reposition its 26 robotic “fingers” to deliver targeted relief.
“Because it’s AI driven, it’s customized for each individual body — it’s not just something you sit on where it rolls back and forth,” said Long, who also happens to represent Team USA in the Triathlon World Championships.
The BackHug’s mechanical fingers are designed to dig into the stiff joints running from your neck to your lower back, mimicking the hands-on techniques used by physical therapists.
It also tracks your tension levels throughout the session, giving users a snapshot of their back health and a clear idea of whether they’re reaping any benefits from the device.
“It’s a very small unit, and it takes just 15 minutes,” Long said. “I can tell you, it massively reduces back pain.”
Early clinical data backs him up: a single 10-minute session cut pain by an average of 29%, and internal testing showed a 44% drop in tension after three uses.
That’s welcome news in a country where roughly 80% of Americans will deal with back pain at some point in their lives. And for about 16 million adults, that pain becomes chronic, daily discomfort that takes a major toll on their lives.
Next up: The Shiftwave
“The Shiftwave is a chair you sit in and it has magnetic pulses,” Long said. “You put a headset on, you put a blindfold on, and you go through breathing exercises with the vibrations.”
Those whole-body vibrations engage the autonomic nervous system, helping shift the body out of “fight-or-flight” mode to promote relaxation, recovery and mental clarity. The guided breathwork further steadies the mind, he explained.
“I got a demo and I had one in my house for two weeks,” Long said. “They have a protocol called a ‘quick reset’ and the feeling after was incredible. It was a complete reset. It balances the body and puts everything in order.”
The Shiftwave has been tested in a wide range of high-stress environments — and the results are striking.
When Manhattan ICU staff tried it, 54% reported that their pain was completely gone after just 10 to 20 minutes. Among California wildfire responders, 55% said their stress was fully eliminated, and 26% reported pain relief. In Ukraine, 34% of soldiers said their anxiety was totally gone, while 48% experienced a reduction in pain.
In a controlled clinical trial conducted by Tulane University School of Medicine, 41% of participants experienced lower stress, 22% saw improvements in focus and 43% felt more relaxed after using the device.
Also creating a buzz: The Zero Gravy Lounger from Pulse PEMF
Upgrade Labs members already have access to Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy (PEMF), a treatment that sends bursts of low-level electromagnetic waves through the skin and into muscles, bones, tendons and organs to stimulate and recharge cells.
The technology aims to rebalance the body’s electrical signals, with research suggesting it may support cell performance, bone health, muscle recovery and injury relief.
“You put it on anywhere that’s sore, and you can actually feel the muscles twitch,” Asprey said.
When I tried it in Austin, I felt noticeably better after just 12 minutes under the blanket. My back pain eased, my sprained knee stopped throbbing and I walked away feeling surprisingly energized.
Now Pulse PEMF has rolled out a Zero Gravity Lounger that takes the treatment up a notch.
Its ergonomic, contoured design distributes weight evenly to relieve pressure on the spine, promote relaxation and align the body, aiming to make PEMF sessions more immersive and effective for stress relief and recovery.
There’s another perk: You can double up.
“We’re looking at ways to stack protocols so you can get two for one,” Long said. “With this, you can sit in the chair while you’re doing an oxygen treatment, for example.”
Using data to drive your health
Asprey also highlighted a new offering from Upgrade Labs that has him most excited: the AXO digital health platform.
After a blood draw, members submit a lab sample for advanced testing of more than 100 biomarkers. Those insights are then combined with data from wearable devices, like fitness trackers, as well as information about how members perform on Upgrade Labs’ equipment.
“You really have a 360-degree view of what’s happening inside your body,” Asprey said, noting that you do not have to be an Upgrade Labs member to use the service.
With the information, AXO generates personalized recommendations to help users reach their health goals in the shortest possible time.
“I would like to have more of that in my own life,” Asprey said. “I don’t necessarily love being the top expert in this stuff. I just want a system that helps me know what to do — and I think we built it.”
