Biohacking for beginners (who are mostly just tired)
You've probably heard the word "biohacking" and pictured someone in a basement hooking themselves up to electrodes while chugging a green smoothie made of grassy tasting who knows what. Fair. Hacking your biology does sound like something out of an 80s future-tech film that ends badly for humans.
But in reality, most people who get into biohacking are just… tired. Tired of being tired, tired of sleeping poorly, tired of dragging through the afternoon like they're walking through peanut butter.
Biohacking, at its most practical, is about using tools and small changes (the hacks) to help your body work more efficiently. Here are some beginner friendly picks from the Stridekick Shop, along with the science behind why they might actually work.
The Best Beginner Biohacking Products
For Better Sleep
Sleep is your body's own OG "biohack" because it's when it does its best repair work. That's why most people start their biohacking journey here.
Sleep Pod (Eight Sleep)
This temperature-controlled mattress cover lets you set your bed anywhere from 55°F to 110°F, with dual zones so you and your partner can each pick your own temp. Research shows that actively controlling bed temperature can improve sleep quality, increase deep sleep, and support better heart rate recovery overnight. Saves fights over covers or freezing your partner out with cold toes.
Shop the Sleep Pod | HSA/FSA Eligible
Sleep Fitness Mask Luxe
Yes, it's simple, but it's also super effective. A good sleep mask blocks out the light that messes with your circadian rhythm, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, while boosting melatonin (a sleep hormone) and lowering cortisol (a stress hormone). This one does its one job very well, giving you true blackout coverage, low eye pressure, and it fits so well, it stays put for side sleepers and thrashers alike.
For Stress and Nervous System Support
When your stress response is stuck in overdrive, everything else feels so much worse. These tools give your nervous system the closest thing to a chill pill to help you calm down and tackle the day.
Apollo Neuro
This wearable uses gentle vibration patterns (like a soothing hum on your wrist or ankle) to help ease your body out of fight-or-flight. It has modes for sleep, energy, focus, calm, and more. Research suggests that these gentle vibrations can help melt away stress and promote a calm feeling, which might even lead to better sleep. Try wearing it for at least three hours daily to feel the full benefit.
Shop Apollo Neuro | HSA/FSA Eligible
Pulsetto FIT
This device is worn around the neck and uses gentle electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a big role in regulating your stress response. Science shows that activating your vagus nerve helps calm you down, making your heart rate more balanced and dialing back your stress response. Try doing it for about 4 minutes, twice a day.
Shop Pulsetto FIT | HSA/FSA Eligible
For Energy and Focus
When "just drink more coffee" stops cutting it, these tools offer a different approach.
Focus + Energy (Seed DS-03)
This supplement is a combination of probiotics and prebiotics designed to help your brain and your gut communicate better, which can boost your thinking skills without needing caffeine or other stimulants. Studies looking at probiotics show they can actually support things like memory and how fast you process information. It's a daily-habit product, so give it time to work its magic.
The Mendi Headset
Mendi uses a technology called neurofeedback to track how active your prefrontal cortex is. It then trains you to boost that activity through quick, fun, game-like sessions in its app. Research suggests that this type of training can help people learn to better control their prefrontal cortex (your brain's command center), and doing it regularly has been linked to better working memory and sharper executive function, so you'll be able to focus better and think sharper (would it be weird to wear this to trivia night?). Each session only takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Shop the Mendi Headset | HSA/FSA Eligible
For Recovery
Biohackers tend to focus a lot on recovery. We agree, anything that helps your body bounce back faster is worth a look.
Recovery Pod (Novaa)
Hacking your body while wrapped in a warm cocoon? Yes please. This full body red and near-infrared light therapy pod lets you lie down and soak up 2,320 LEDs worth of light at wavelengths that research has linked to reduced muscle soreness, lower inflammation, and better exercise recovery. It's the lie-down-and-do-nothing approach to recovery, and honestly, that's kind of the dream.
Shop the Recovery Pod | HSA/FSA Eligible
Viking Hybrid Cold Plunge
If you're one of those brave souls who can withstand cold water, this plug-and-play cold plunge cools to 35°F and heats to 104°F, with Wi-Fi app controls so it's always ready when you are. Cold immersion can wake you right up and put you in a good mood by giving your nervous system a friendly jolt. Plus, some studies suggest it might help your muscles recover faster by fighting off inflammation and soreness.
Shop the Viking Hybrid Cold Plunge | HSA/FSA Eligible
For Personalized Wellness
Embr Wave 2
This wearable wrist device gives you warming or cooling sensations whenever you want, with over 30 sessions lasting from three minutes to nine hours. It's a hit with people who experience hot flashes, night sweats, or sleep issues caused by temperature. Studies show your wrist temperature is a good reflection of how comfortable you feel, and these temperature signals can actually affect your emotions and how well you sleep. Science!
Shop Embr Wave 2 | HSA/FSA Eligible
Viome Precision Supplements
Viome creates personalized supplement packs based on your individual test results, so you get a custom formula tailored to your body. Studies show that when you get nutrition advice tailored just for you, it's better at helping you make healthier choices and even improves some important health numbers (like those related to your heart and metabolism) compared to getting the same old general advice.
Shop Viome Precision Supplements
Choosing the Right Biohacking Tools
Biohacking sounds fancy, but it's really just about finding tools that help your body do what it already wants to do. Sleep well, manage stress, think clearly, and recover from the day. Pick the area where you're struggling most, start with one tool, and see how you feel.
Note that many of these products are HSA/FSA eligible (we've flagged them above), which means your pre-tax health dollars could go toward your biohacking starter kit. Eligibility can vary by plan administrator, so check with your provider if you're unsure.
Head over to the Stridekick Shop to explore these biohacking finds. Happy optimizing!
