Biohacking WITHOUT pills & powders? Is my "Bulgarian Model Wife" real? & More

In this special Q&A episode, I'm joined in my Biohacking Lair by my mom to answer your questions and respond to some of the feedback we got from you in the recent Limitless Mindset Audience Survey. Ranging from how to Biohack without the tedium of consuming endless pills and powders to yielding the awesomeness of Elk Velvet Antler and how to get your very own Bulgarian "model wife."

Listen to the full Q&A podcast on the go with Castbox, here

Announcements

My new science fiction/cyberpunk thriller novel, Hourglass, about seduction, biohacking, and philosophy, is now available as a digital book and audiobook on Google Play. Maybe you got some Google Play gift cards or prefer their sharp e-reader app (as good as Kindle and works on any smartphone or tablet).

This podcast received an accolade here from MillionPodcasts.com, which listed this show as one of the top 100 lifehacking podcasts.

Disclaimer

What you find on this website is NOT medical advice. I'm not a doctor. I'm just an experienced, unlicensed self-experimenter practicing free speech by talking about my own extensive experiences and my interpretations of published science. Please see my guide on How to Biohack Smart and Safe. You should consult a doctor about any biohacking you're doing and, ideally, also get a second opinion.

#44 Questions

Q

Summarized: Hey Jonathan — I’ve been experimenting with Elk Velvet Antler (from Noble Elk Farms), and I’ve noticed something wild: every time I take just one capsule before lifting, I’m hitting personal records — easily 20% more strength across the board. I’ve rarely used pre-workouts, but this stuff felt like a cheat code. That said, I’ve run into an issue — intermittent, intense cramps in strange places (like abs from laughing or even muscles under my tongue). They’re rare but seem linked to EVA. I’ve tried scaling back to every few days, then once a week, and while the cramping is less frequent, it still occasionally happens. I suspect a possible interaction with another supplement, but isolating the cause without dropping everything is tricky. There's not a ton of research out there on EVA, but with its IGF-1/2, glucosamine, collagen, and other bioactive compounds, it seems worthy of deeper investigation. Have you looked into this? I'd love to hear your take or see a full breakdown on a future episode.

A

Overview of Elk Velvet Antler - Clinical evidence for:

* Joint health, tissue repair, & arthritis relief

* Boosts Growth factors (e.g., IGF-1, EGF, TGF-β)

* Immune Modulation: Studies in mice show enhanced natural killer cell activity and antibody response, likely translating to immune system priming in humans.

* Muscle Growth & Recovery: One double-blind study in athletes (New Zealand) showed increased endurance and strength recovery vs placebo. Some marginal improvements in VO2 max and lean mass, though not always statistically significant.

* Androgenic or Pro-sexual Effects: Animal models show increased testosterone, sperm quality, and mating behavior. Human data is anecdotal, but reports of increased libido, morning wood, and vitality are common in biohacker circles.

How to source Elk Velvet Antler1. Country of Origin MattersBest sources: New Zealand, USA (esp. small farms), and Canada.Avoid: Cheap imports from China or Eastern Europe, often irradiated, contaminated, or underdosed.2. Look for Full Spectrum Powder (NOT just extract)Full-spectrum EVA includes the cartilage, blood matrix, and bone marrow phase, offering the widest biological payload (IGF-1, collagen peptides, minerals, etc.)Avoid products that only use “antler tips” or “bloodless” EVA, as they lose potency.3. Low-Heat, Freeze-Dried ProcessingEnsures growth factors (like IGF-1) and delicate peptides aren’t destroyed.Ask vendors how they process — high-heat or spray drying = reduced bioactivity.

How they get the elk velvet...Yes, the antlers are removed — but no, it’s not barbaric. Think of it like pruning a plant to stimulate healthier regrowth. The velvet phase is when the antlers are most bioactive, rich in IGF-1, collagen, and joint-restorative compounds. On ethical farms, elk are anesthetized and treated with care. They regrow their antlers each year, stronger and larger, just like your mitochondria should.

RecommendationsI did a perusal of EVA anecdotes, and cramps are reported in a few places along with GI Upset.TakeElectrolytes: Magnesium Glycinate or Malate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium,AndTaurine - 500–1000mg (optional) - Stabilizes calcium flux in muscles

Athletic performance alternatives: Creatine + HMB

Q

Responding to: What is a health/Biohacking/personal growth product that you wish you could find?

I don't know what I'm looking for, how about a life extension product so I don't have to take handfuls of pills & powders daily.

A

Take your supplements infoceutically by downloading them into water with the IC Pad from Infopathy

Shelve all your supplements and take C60 in olive oil for a month or two

Q

Responding to: What is a health/Biohacking/personal growth product that you wish you could find?

Supplements to massively increase eyesight?

A

Schisandra - for natural eyesight support

Visoluten - A bioregulatory peptide + Visomitin - Mitochondrially-targeted SKQ1 eye drops

Q

Responding to: What is a health/Biohacking/personal growth product that you wish you could find?

I have too much energy, and my mind goes 100 miles an hour, but I feel like I never get anything important done. I have tried mindfulness, meditation, brain training, and so on. I don't find that they help, I constantly forget to do them, and I don't have time anyway. I've considered being prescribed stimulant meds, but I do not wish to be at the mercy of doctors & big pharma. I'm currently taking Omegas, Zinc, Iron, L-theanine, B vitamins & magnesium, which don't seem to help at all. Some days I take Modafinil, which helps, but I struggle to fall asleep most nights, and the Modafinil makes it even worse. A nootropics product that is quicker-acting and shorter-lasting would be amazing. If I set my alarm early to take the Modafinil, I can't get back to sleep & I lose precious sleep when I've probably only had 4 or 5 hrs. But when I take it too late in the morning, I can't get to sleep that night.