Avisha NessAiver is the co-founder and CTO of Birya Biotech, a health startup on a mission to reduce prescription drug costs, with an initial focus on lowering the cost of the allergic reaction-fighting EpiPen. An electrical engineer, programmer, serial entrepreneur, personal health consultant, Avisha NessAiver is perhaps first and foremost a biohacker. Biohacking – the buzzy self-optimization trend that’s recently swept the wellness industry – is the theme of the monthly event series in Manhattan called Biohack the World. I spoke with Avisha ahead of his upcoming presentation this Thursday night at Biohack the World about his passion for biohacking, his company Birya Biotech, and his favorite biohacker-friendly spots in NYC…
When and how did you get into biohacking?
I have always been interested in self-optimization. It all started back when I was home-schooled, when I realized that making my learning process more efficient would open up more time for computer games. Later on in high school I wrote a column for the school paper focused on memorization techniques. Fast-forward to midway through college–I discovered Tim Ferriss’s The Four Hour Body. Suddenly I realized that the same sort of N=1 experimentation that I had been applying to my mind could be applied to my entire self via targeted exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions.
But T4HB was just the tip of the iceberg. I realized that if I really wanted to apply my engineering mindset towards physiological enhancement, I needed to learn more. That was almost ten years ago, and since then I have gone down the rabbit hole, reading hundreds of books, thousands of PubMed journal articles, and listening to an endless stream of podcasts. With everything I learn, I am constantly taking notes, searching for practical interventions that will enhance my own life or that of my friends and family.
The world of supplements is rife with controversy. How do you sift the real science from the quackery? Is there a source of biohacking information you trust more than others?
This is a topic that I could spend hours answering. In short, what I trust most are systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, conducted by qualified researchers with no financial connection towards what they are studying. Unfortunately these are simply not available for a large percentage of topics in the health and wellness industry, leaving us to sift through the existing evidence on our own.
When evaluating a new supplement or technology, my analysis is split between conceptual efficacy and practical implementation. Does the substance or technique have any peer-reviewed evidence showing that it should work? Has there been any independent lab testing for purity (one of my favorite sites for this is Labdoor.com)? Do they seem to be relying primarily on testimonials to make sales? These are just a few of the questions that must be answered before I’ll consider trying something myself.
You’re speaking this Thursday at Biohack the World on the topic of the oral microbiome. What’s a good biohack for oral hygiene that you wish more people knew about?
My speaking topic is actually more related to the previous question, but I do have an elaborate tooth-care protocol. The easiest biohack for oral hygiene that I would recommend, that everyone can start applying immediately, is to brush your gums and tongue. Bad bacteria can build up everywhere in the mouth, not just the teeth. Tongue scraping has been shown in multiple studies to help with both bad breath and gingival inflammation.
Tell me about your company, Birya Biotech. What problem are you trying to solve (and why)?
In the last decade the price of the EpiPen rose from ~$100/pair to >$740. There is currently a global shortage of these devices, and insurance coverage is variable enough that even in locations where they are in stock, almost 40% of prescriptions don’t end up getting filled. This lack of access has led to many deaths and severe hospitalizations. At Birya Biotech, we have developed a way to provide epinephrine autoinjectors at 1/10th the cost, and will be launching a program to waive the cost entirely for those who can’t afford even that low number.
What are your go-to biohacking spots in NYC?
My favorite place for trying out all the latest biohacking devices is definitely HACKD Fitness, run by the amazing Pamela Gold. She always has all the latest toys, and has created an extremely warm and welcoming environment that will make you want to come back even just to hang out.
For food, I cook all of my own meals so I’m a big proponent of the various farmers markets throughout the city (one of the best is by Union Square), as well as Whole Foods.
Other fun locations are brrrn for cold workouts and sauna sessions, ReCOVER for rest and recharge, and the super high-tech Central Park. Simply spending time in nature (ideally barefoot) is one of the single most effective biohacks to enhance almost every facet of mental and physical health.
Meet Avisha NessAiver this Thursday night at the Biohack the World event in FiDi. Details here.