In recent years, a growing number of Americans have taken their health into their own hands, experimenting with everything from at-home metabolic tests to esoteric supplements. New search data suggests that this evolving interest in “biohacking” and longevity practices—once niche preoccupations of Silicon Valley insiders—has reached the mainstream. But even as cutting-edge strategies gain ground, once-buzzy terms appear to be fading in collective curiosity.
A Surge in Novel Concepts
Emerging health interventions and wellness tactics have enjoyed staggering growth since 2021. Searches for the term “GLP-1”, referring to a class of medications increasingly used for weight management and metabolic optimization, soared over 1,400% from 2021 to 2024. Once confined to medical journals, GLP-1 receptor agonists have entered the cultural conversation through social media chatter and coverage of popular weight-loss drugs.
Similarly, interest in “cold plunge” protocols—immersing oneself in icy water to boost circulation, immunity, and mood—has increased by more than 1,800%. Once viewed as a quirky practice reserved for athletes and biohacking enthusiasts, cold therapy is now a staple topic on wellness podcasts and social media feeds.
Other fast-rising terms, like “hydrogen water”, “BPC-157” (a peptide associated with tissue repair), and “type 3 diabetes” (a term linked to Alzheimer’s as a metabolic disorder) illustrate the public’s growing appetite for novel interventions. Niche interests—“zombie cells” (linked to cellular aging and senescence), “red light therapy,” and “parasite detox”—have also captured the public imagination, underscoring an ongoing fascination with scientific frontiers and self-directed treatments.
Shifting From General Wellness to Personalized Hacks
What stands out is that the public is moving beyond broad wellness terms and embracing more specialized approaches. While keywords like “inflammation” and “dopamine” remain relevant, their long-term search volumes have dipped slightly—2% declines since 2021—indicating that consumers may be seeking out more tangible interventions rather than just exploring baseline concepts.
Similarly, “fasting”, once heralded as the ultimate metabolic hack, has seen a modest long-term decline. Instead of broad queries, consumers appear to be drilling down into more specific strategies, from “gut tests” to personalized detox regimens, suggesting a turn toward granular self-experiments over broad strokes.
Modern Mainstreaming of Biohacking
Despite its cultural moment a few years back, the term “biohacking” itself has declined by 35% since 2021. The drop does not necessarily signal waning interest in the practice; rather, it may mean that what was once considered “biohacking” has become part of everyday wellness parlance. Consumers might no longer need the catch-all term when they can easily navigate a buffet of targeted interventions—from peptides and NAD boosters to light therapy devices and “hydrogen water.”
“The public’s understanding of wellness is maturing. The initial, top-level buzz that fueled interest in a broad term like “biohacking” 4 years ago has given way to more informed searches,” says Sandy Martin, founder of Biohacker Expo.
Winners and Losers in the Longevity Arena
Rising stars like “GLP-1” therapies and “cold plunge” treatments reflect consumers’ readiness to embrace both cutting-edge biomedical developments and no-frills, primal techniques. Meanwhile, topics like “menopause” and “psychedelics”, which once captured considerable attention, have slipped by over 20% and nearly 20% respectively since 2021. This may indicate that mainstream media coverage has peaked or that these subjects have become well-trodden territory, with interested parties now turning to more specialized subtopics or practitioner-led communities for information.
The Upshot for the Wellness Industry
For companies, health practitioners, and investors, these data offer a clear take-home message: Consumers are increasingly sophisticated and curious about emerging longevity and wellness tactics. Standard guidance on “reducing stress” or “improving sleep” still matters, but the fastest growth in interest centers on more complex, often cutting-edge interventions.
The story these numbers tell is not of a fad waning, but of a broadening and deepening movement. As individuals become savvier about the science behind metabolic health, aging, and cellular repair, they’re moving beyond general concepts and embracing a richer, more varied spectrum of tools and strategies.
For the wellness market—ranging from startups touting peptide therapies to established nutrition brands pivoting toward personalized microbiome tests—keeping pace with these evolving interests is crucial. Today’s consumer no longer wants just another smoothie recipe; they want the “next big thing” in longevity, whether it’s a gene-editing breakthrough or a simple plunge into ice-cold water.
ABOUT BIOHACKER EXPO
Biohacker Expo (Feb 28 & Mar 1 in Miami, FL) is an influential gathering that spotlights cutting-edge research and breakthrough tools that are shaping the future of wellness. This year’s event features renowned guests including JP Sears, known for his health satire on social media; Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA officer offering rare insight into mental performance strategies; and Mark Divine, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander known for his expertise in resilience and leadership.
ABOUT SANDY MARTIN, FOUNDER OF BIOHACKER EXPO
Sandy Martin, the visionary behind Biohacker Expo, has dedicated her career to connecting global leaders and change-makers in the wellness and longevity arenas. Her commitment to fostering a community where evidence-based practices and bold new ideas converge has helped establish the Expo as a cornerstone event for those committed to extending and enhancing the human lifespan.
