Wearing a a black turtleneck beneath a deep purple maroon blazer, with a pair of round glasses perched on his nose, Dr Mohammed Enayat – Dr E for short – sits back in his oxygen chamber and draws a dramatic breath.
‘We give people the power to take control of their body… and therefore control their destiny,’ he declares, as we casually discuss his plans to change the world.
The 39-year-old claims to be at the forefront of a digital revolution – and doesn’t look dissimilar to Apple founder Steve Jobs. Although he laughs at that comparison, his approach is serious as he explains the set-up of his ‘longevity’ clinic, in a bid to help people extend their lifespan.
Inside, clients will find a cryotherapy chamber to get an endorphin release, or can climb into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that enhances sleep or do NAD+ supplement therapy to get ‘crystal clear’ focus. All the things, he hopes, will in turn help lead to a few extra years.
‘We go to the doctors and feel anxious,’ Dr E tells Metro.co.uk ‘There’s white walls, people are scared about being told something sinister. It doesn’t need to be like that. We want people to get excited about their health.’
And people are, in growing numbers, doing just that.
In America, 46-year-old Bryan Johnson spends millions to ‘reduce’ his aging process. He follows a strict vegan diet, feasts on supplements and carries out high-intensity work-outs.
Johnson, who transfused himself with the blood plasma of his 17-year-old son, spurred on a generation of ‘biohackers’, who use a ‘do it yourself’ style approach to medicine.
But it’s not just megabucks treatments that make you a ‘biohacker’ (aka someone who uses technological means to enhance their body), owning a FitBit to track your health technically means you’re already part of the club.
Dr E tells us he prefers the term ‘longevity’ over ‘biohacking’.
His day job is in Lewisham, where he works as a GP for the NHS. But his second job is at HUM2N, a space age clinic in South Kensington.
‘People might take a supplement for energy, paracetamol to feel better, red wine to relax’, Dr E continues. ‘We’re all scientists biohacking our own lives and bodies. But there’s a way to do it more naturally.
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‘At HUM2N, we want to connect the dots that traditional medicine doesn’t.’
Of course, the more enhanced treatments come at a far heftier price than a £50 Fitbit.
During an open evening for press and health industry writers, which Metro attends, bottles of kombucha and plates of rice paper rolls are laid out on a long silver bar as people file in. Glass beakers and test tubes in all shapes of sizes lie behind the plates.
A spritely Anthea Turner, of Blue Peter fame, jumps to her feet as the session begins. She’s a ‘proud patient of Dr E’, she announces to the small crowd.
Anthea, 63, tells the room: ‘I’ve worked in television for many years, I’m a “telly tart” as they say, so I’m very used to visual looks. I thought for a woman in her sixties that I’d kept it together quite well. But then I came here and had a blood test and realised, maybe I’d not kept it together in the same way as I thought I had. It was not a terrible situation, but there was room for improvement.
‘I have far more air miles behind me than in front of me and I intend to be on this planet for as long as I can and as healthy as I can. By my own hands, I am not going to ruin my health.’
The TV presenter then makes way for Dr E, who is quickly quizzed on the negative reputation many biohackers have.
‘Some people become obsessive or go too far’, the GP admits. ‘The big risk of biohacking revolves around people doing it themselves. They’re listening to podcasts and following 100 recommendations. I want to focus on longevity.
‘To me the notion of longevity is personalising something, versus biohacking which feels to me like DIY. You can’t throw everything at the kitchen sink at once, you have to make those changes gradually.’
Dr E’s voice is calm – it wouldn’t be out of place in an ASMR video. There’s only one point he prickles slightly, and that’s when he’s asked about how, potentially, pricetags like £395 for IV Ozone Therapy to boost anti-ageing or £195 for nutritional therapy might be a bit out budget for your Average Joe.
‘There’s a common misconception of it [the treatments] being expensive, but we work really hard to bring prices down,’ he insists. ‘We load a lot of expertise into your journey here because you’re working with specialists.’
Dr E claims claims: ‘You would pay more to see a doctor independently, organise a blood test yourself, have sessions with a nutritionist. Here, you get everything in one.’
Even so, a 10-pack of 60 minute oxygen sessions in the hyperbaric chamber will set you back £1,500, while 10 sessions of whole body cryotherapy costs £1,250.
After the talk, guests are shown around by 48-year-old Monica, who works at the clinic. Her hair is sleek, her skin clear – when she speaks about Dr E, it’s with a sense of wonder.
She takes the group down a narrow set of stairs which leads under the streets of Kensington and to where the treatments are carried out. A row of deck-chairs are lined up by IV machines, an eerie facial scanner is in the corner of one room and there’s an entire wall decorated like fresh grass – the scene wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of Doctor Who.
The centerpiece of the underground clinic is the green and silver hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Such a model is popular with the rich and famous, Kendall Jenner showed off her $23,000 one off in an episode of The Kardashians.
The device sees patients breath in pure oxygen levels (1.5 to 3 times higher than usual) in a highly pressurised environment. While the therapy dates back to the 1940s, it is not safe for everyone. According to John Hopkins Medicine, those who have had ear surgery, specific injuries, the flu or people who have lung disease should not take part in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Dr E admits he remortgaged his parents house in order to afford his own, custom-made, hyperbaric oxygen chamber – although he doesn’t reveal the final price tag. ‘They [my parents] think I’m crazy’, he laughs.
They’re not the only ones. Biohacking and longevity are relatively new concepts. Healthcare professionals have long debated whether the practice is a ‘hoax or a helping hand’.
When asked about the criticism the industry does garner, Dr E nods – it’s a question he is prepared for. He points back to when HUM2N launched in 2017 and the journey since then.
‘We started in a safe and controlled environment, within the wider wellness setting. We grew our confidence and range of treatments over time.
‘We are CQC regulated, which means we’re governed by local authorities and engaged in a high quality of medical governance which is very important for delivering healthcare.
‘If we need to, we will refer people into secondary care if we’re not sure about things. I’m a GP, I know when something needs traditional medicine. This sits alongside that, this type of health care doesn’t replace it.’
However, to some within the healthcare industry, the rising popularity of longevity – or biohacking specificallyrings alarm bells. Longevity isn’t dangerous in itself, but there are major risks if you don’t take precautions.
Sebnem Unluisler is a genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute. She works to rearrange genes in order to bolster our cells and their resistance to diseases.
Sebnem tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Significant advancements have been made, but much more research is still needed in biohacking, particularly regarding long-term effects and personalised approaches based on individual differences.
‘To explore it safely, people need to work with healthcare professionals, like your doctor, for guidance. It’s imperative to approach biohacking cautiously.
‘Start with mild interventions and be mindful of potential risks and side effects, especially with some of the more extreme biohacking practices.’
Taking unregulated supplements or drugs promoted online can also have dangerous side-effects, such as organ failure. Longevity practices such as fasting, which is popular with celebrities and influencers, can potentially cause health issues if not done safely.
What are the precautions people should take if exploring biohacking?
Sebnem says there are very real risks involved if biohacking isn’t done in a regulated environment. Here, she explains what can go wrong.
Experimental supplementation – Taking unregulated or excessive supplements without proper medical guidance may result in toxicity or adverse reactions, causing digestive issues, nutrient imbalances and potential medication interactions.
Extreme Fasting or Caloric Restriction – Prolonged or extreme fasting may lead to nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances and may compromise the immune system, resulting in fatigue, dizziness, weakened immune function and potential disruption of menstrual cycles.
Electrical Stimulation Devices – Improper use of electrical stimulation devices can cause skin burns, nerve damage or interference with the body’s natural electrical signals, leading to pain, tingling, muscle soreness, or unintended muscle contractions.
DIY Implantation – Self-implantation of devices or substances may lead to infection, rejection or damage to surrounding tissues, resulting in infection, scarring and potential complications during the healing process.
Self-Experimentation with Pharmaceuticals –Trying unapproved or experimental drugs without medical supervision can have unpredictable and potentially harmful effects, causing adverse reactions, organ damage and long-term health consequences.
Despite the risks, Sebnem says it is still an ‘exciting’ time for the industry.
The latest ONS data shows us that the number of people living to over 100 in England and Wales is higher than ever before. The 100-year life is no longer fantasy, but for many is now fact.
In 2022, there were 15120 centenarians, an increase of 3.7% since the year before and double the number in 2002. But with the state of the world today, who wants to live forever?
‘While living longer is a cause for celebration, it also throws a monumental question at us: are we truly equipped, both financially and mentally, to navigate a much longer life than expected by previous generations?’ asks Steven Cameron, pensions director at life insurance company Aegon.
‘And as we head towards a general election, will whichever party forms the next Government play its part in offering support, clarity and fairness in the age of increasing longevity?’
It’s easy to be lured into the excitement of biohacking as people prepare for their longer lifespan. With overcrowded hospitals, long NHS waiting times and an aging population – Dr E is convinced now is the time for a healthcare revolution.
The GP – who wanted to become an astronaut until a lack of 20/20 vision led him down a different path – says he’s always dreamt big.
‘I became a doctor to improve people’s health,’ he adds. ‘With science you can give people the power to take control of their body and therefore their destiny.’
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Kirsten.Robertson@metro.co.uk
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