What is biohacking, and how do you do it?
If you’ve ever wondered “what is biohacking?” or “how do boost GABA without going full Silicon Valley?” — you’re in the right place.
At its simplest, biohacking is just learning how your body works… and nudging it in a better direction.
And one of the most interesting systems to “hack”? Your GABA system — the bit of your brain that helps you relax, switch off, and enjoy being around other people.
I work around this stuff all the time, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it:
a lot of what we call “unwinding” is just GABA doing its thing. Alcohol taps into it. But it’s chaotic, and alcohol isn’t the only way to boost GABA. So, let’s look at smarter ways to do it.
1. Socialising
If you’re asking, “what is an example of biohacking?” — this is it.
Human connection is one of the oldest GABA “hacks” going. Physical presence, shared experiences, even just a laugh with mates—all linked to calming brain activity. [1]
Quick truth: Zoom calls don’t quite cut it. Same room, same energy — that’s where the magic is.
2. Play
Sounds silly. Isn’t.
Play — whether that’s five-a-side, board games, or something mildly competitive — increases GABA activity. There’s even research showing that after social play, the brain adjusts its GABA signalling to rebalance itself. [2]
Translation:
having fun literally calms your nervous system.
3. Meditation
Before “biohacker” was a thing, people were sitting cross-legged trying to quiet their minds. And it works. Meditation and mindfulness have been shown to support GABA activity [3]—which is why you feel calmer afterwards (even if you spent half the session thinking about your inbox).
4. Yoga
Yoga’s one of the more researched natural ways to influence GABA. Regular practice has been linked to increased GABA levels in parts of the brain responsible for focus and emotional control. [4] So yeah — stretching might make you feel more switched on and more relaxed.
5. Botanicals
Now we’re getting closer to modern biohacking. Certain plants contain compounds that interact with your GABA system — not by forcing it, but by enhancing what’s already there. This is where SENTIA sits.
We don’t add GABA. We help your brain use its own GABA more effectively. These compounds are called positive allosteric modulators — basically, they make your brain’s natural signals work better without overriding them.
6. Kava
People have been using Kava to boost GABA for thousands of years. Which is why people describe it as calming, slightly euphoric, and sociable, but overuse can cause liver problems. Whilst it’s of it as one of the earliest “functional drinks” it’s not without dangers and is currently banned for human consumption in the UK.
7. Psychedelic-adjacent compounds
Some compounds—like muscimol in the Amanita Muscaria mushroom—bind directly to GABA receptors. [5] At low levels: calming. At higher levels: you’re having a very different—and users often report, a very unpredictable—evening. Interesting science. Probably not your go-to for a casual Tuesday.
8. Functional drinks (the modern version)
This is where biohacking meets real life. Instead of using alcohol (which will boost GABA, but also hits dopamine, serotonin, glutamate… and then causes chaos), modern functional drinks take a more precise approach. That’s exactly what we’ve built at SENTIA. Same system. Less mess.
So… do biohackers drink alcohol?
Some do. Many don’t. Because once you understand what alcohol is really doing—you realise: it’s a blunt tool for something your brain already knows how to do better.
Explore SENTIA
- GABA Red – for your social wind downs
- GABA Black – for a more focused social experience
- GABA Gold – for sociability, warmth, and celebration
- CASK – deep, whiskey-style alternative
- SENTIA Cider – crisp, social, easy
References
[1] Lonstein, J.S., Maguire, J., et al, (2014), Emotion and Mood Adaptations in the Peripartum Female: Complementary Contributions of GABA and Oxytocin. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, Vol.26
[2] Navatha A., Afzaal N., Edelmann M. J., et al, (2019) Proteomic and transcriptional profiling of rat amygdala following social play, Behavioural Brain Research, Vol.376
[3] A.N. Elias, A.F. Wilson. (1995) Serum hormonal concentrations following transcendental meditation-Potential role of gamma aminobutyric acid, Medical Hypotheses, Vol.44
[4] Aggarwal, A. (2020). Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal axis and Brain during Stress, Yoga and Meditation: A Review. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 96-103.
[5] Singh Y.N., Singh N. N. (2002) Therapeutic potential of kava in the treatment of anxiety disorders. CNS Drugs. Vol. 16
