Health Influencers On Social Media: Can You Trust Them?

If someone on Instagram offered to help you lose weight or improve your focus, would you take the bait and DM them for the details?

Increasingly, social media influencers are using their platforms to sell ‘scientific’ solutions to support your symptoms.

Tired, stressed, overwhelmed or unhappy with your body? No problem, these Instagram ‘IT girls’ have the answers you need to turn your life around. All you need to do is comment on a post, or DM a single word and presto – a whole new you.

The techniques these social media ‘scientists’ promise to share are associated with an emerging  trend called biohacking. Never heard of biohacking before? You’re not alone. 

I wanted to learn what this term really meant, and more importantly, whether implementing the biohacking methods recommended by these ‘experts’ could have the impact on my body they promised. 

So, I sent some DMs of my own.

While biohacking may sound complicated, you’re already likely familiar with many of the trending techniques.

Here are few biohacking methods you may already be using:

At its core, biohacking involves making changes to your lifestyle or behaviours in a bid to improve your health and wellness. 

Whether you want to be physically stronger or improve your concentration, biohacking can (theoretically) help you achieve these goals. You just need to be willing to put in the work.

Here’s the deal; biohacking is super personal. What works for your bestie might not work for you, even if you’re the same age, share a similar lifestyle, or have the same health conditions.

Everyone’s body is different, and factors such as your genetics, age, or even which phase of your menstrual cycle you are in can affect how biohacking works for you.

So if an influencer claims their routine or product works for everyone, that’s a red flag. 

Biohacking involves trial and error. It’s about finding what works for you, and specifically what’s working right now. 

Copying someone else’s plan won’t do you any good, and you may even need to reassess the plan you develop for yourself at different points in your life. For example,  throughout your menstrual cycle, or as you age.

There’s a lot of hype around biohacking on social media platforms, especially on instagram. 

However, we should be skeptical of this content, and here’s why:

These influencers know exactly what you’re struggling with; stress, body image issues, or just feeling low on energy.

But instead of offering real solutions, they sell quick fixes; diet plans, supplements, or coaching programs that will not work for everyone.

Their messaging in their videos and DMs are filled with emotional storytelling, and they show ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures to support their claims. They also suggest that the goals of those who DM them can be reached simply by signing up to work with them, or with just a single change to their lifestyle. 

Spoiler alert; it’s not that simple.

By appealing to groups of people who feel helpless, or those who wish to make a change in their lives, biohacking influencers are making promises that they can’t deliver on.

What’s worse? They’re using false hope as a sales tactic to recruit new clients and profit off of the vulnerabilities of people seeking support.

Real biohacking is about experimentation-it’s not about following a “one-size-fits-all” plan. However, many influencers are out here pushing products or routines that worked for them, and guess what? They conveniently sell those products themselves. 

‘Authentic’ biohacking is about experimentation and individuality. However, these aspects seem to be skipped in most biohacking content on social media. 

Biohacking influencers aren’t teaching you how to experiment and find what works for you. They’re just selling you their personal brand.

The most damning evidence against biohacking influencers on social media is that some of them are peddling products, services, and practices that have zero scientific backing.  

We’re talking supplements, unproven diets, and gadgets that may actually do more harm than good. Sure, they might look good on Instagram, but you should never change your diet or exercise routine without talking to a doctor first. Especially if you’re considering adding supplements or trying new products that could impact your health.

According to Instagram’s terms of use, you can’t impersonate someone you aren’t, and you can’t do anything fraudulent.

However, biohacking influencers are misleading followers by peddling products without proof that they work. 

In doing so, they’re putting people’s health on the line, and too often they’re doing so without facing consequences. 

It’s time for Instagram and other social media platforms to stop letting this slide. As the ‘hot spot’ fuelling this influence, Instagram needs to step up its game and start regulating content more seriously.

These platforms have the power to crack down with better content monitoring and stricter health guidelines. Without this, influencers will keep selling empty promises, and people just trying to improve their wellness could end up worse off.

Equally, influencers need to be held accountable for the health and safety of their audience, especially when they’re promoting products that can do real harm.

Here’s the lowdown: Biohacking can be helpful, but the Instagram biohacking craze? Not so much. 

While there are some influencers who share legit advice, most of them are either selling something or giving vague, one-size-fits-all advice that won’t work for everyone.

If you’re curious about biohacking and want to give it a go, start by paying attention to your body. Keep a journal of how you feel, experiment with small changes, and see how your body responds. 

When you’re ready to make bigger changes, talk to a healthcare professional who knows your medical history—don’t trust an influencer without credentials or qualifications.

The unpopular opinion no one wants to hear? There is no quick fix solution. Sustainable change takes time and patience. Set yourself a realistic target for tracking and monitoring and celebrate the changes you see – however small they may be.

While there’s no magic fix that works for everyone, a little trial and error will, in time, help you find what works for you!

– Biohacking is about experimenting with your diet, exercise, and routines to improve your health.

– It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach- what works for one person may not work for another.

– Influencers may have helpful advice, but be cautious of vague or promotional posts.

– Start by paying attention to how your body feels and experiment with small changes over time.

With the right mindset and a bit of patience, biohacking could be a great way to unlock your best health! But just remember: no magic pills or easy fixes. Keep it real, and do your research!