Biohacking in the UK: communities, events and your tribe
The biohacking movement in the UK has evolved from a Californian curiosity into a solid community of professionals seeking to optimise their biology without becoming laboratory guinea pigs. Over 15,000 people active in dedicated Telegram groups, in-person events attracting hundreds of attendees, and a growing network of doctors, researchers and entrepreneurs sharing evidence-based protocols.
If you've spent months reading about NMN, creatine or intermittent fasting but don't know where to find people who speak your language—literally—this guide is your map. We'll break down the most active UK communities, the events where you'll meet your tribe, leading biohackers worth following, and how to take your first steps without falling into sectarian or pseudoscientific groups.
TL;DR (the essentials in 30 seconds)
- The most active communities are on Telegram (UK Biohackers, LongeviClub) and local groups in London, Manchester and Edinburgh
- Andorra Longevity Convention is the leading event in the European English-speaking world (June each year)
- Marcos Vázquez (Fitness Revolucionario), Carlos Pérez (The Biohacker) and Núria Coll (female longevity) lead knowledge-sharing in English
- Start with a basic protocol (sleep, protein, creatine) before moving to advanced therapies
- Functional medicine clinics across the UK now offer increasingly accessible biomarker testing
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What is biohacking in the UK (and how it differs from the rest of the world)
UK biohacking has a particular character: less Silicon Valley, more pragmatic. You won't see as many NFC chip implants or publicly documented 7-day fasts on social media. The community prioritises sustainable protocols that fit with an active social life, British meal times and a healthy scepticism towards Anglo-American marketing hype.
What it does share with the global movement: obsession with data. Blood tests every 6 months, Oura Ring or Whoop to measure sleep, nutritional tracking apps and constant optimisation without it becoming dogma.
The key difference lies in approach. Whilst Bryan Johnson (the billionaire spending $2 million per year reversing his age) sets the pace in the US, here there's more appreciation for the Marcos Vázquez model: accessible science, real-world tested protocols, zero dogmatism.
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The most active biohacking communities in the UK
Online groups (Telegram and Discord)
UK Biohackers is the largest group (7,500+ members). Daily conversations about supplementation, interpreting blood work, sleep protocols and constant debate about new studies. Active moderation filters out vendors and pseudoscience.
LongeviClub (paid private community) offers a more curated space: monthly webinars with experts, shared protocols, discounts on diagnostic testing. Requires membership (~£12/month) but filters the noise.
Fitness Revolucionario Discord: extension of Marcos Vázquez's community, focused on strength training, intermittent fasting and evolutionary nutrition. Less hardcore biohacking, more applicable to daily life.
Local communities
London: fortnightly meetups organised by The Biohacker community. Usually in tech hubs like WeWork, 20-40 people, informal talks on the month's protocol.
Manchester: BiohackersManchester organises quarterly meetups (80-100 people), sometimes with invited speakers. Mix of tech entrepreneurs, functional medicine doctors and advanced enthusiasts.
Edinburgh: smaller but very cohesive community, centred on female longevity thanks to Núria Coll's influence.
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Biohacking and longevity events in the UK
Andorra Longevity Convention (June)
The leading event in the English-speaking European world. 3 days in Andorra la Vella, 500-700 attendees, international speakers (David Sinclair, Aubrey de Grey, Peter Attia have all spoken) and many from the UK. Combines scientific talks with stands from diagnostic companies, cryotherapy, hyperbaric therapy.
Not cheap (general admission £250-350) but the networking justifies it. Many collaborations emerge, lasting friendships form and you gain access to protocols that take 6 months to reach social media.
Biohacking Summit London
Annual event (October-November) organised by several functional medicine clinics. More focused on healthcare professionals but open to the public. Practical workshops: how to interpret hormone panels, photobiomodulation protocols, personalised supplementation.
Monthly meetups
Most large cities have informal gatherings. Find them in Telegram groups or Meetup.com under 'biohacking', 'longevity' or 'optimised health'.
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UK biohackers worth following (without falling for gurus)
The UK scene has solid knowledge-sharers who prioritise science over clickbait:
Marcos Vázquez (Fitness Revolucionario): the godfather of biohacking in the Spanish-speaking world, widely followed in the UK. Engineer turned communicator, author of 3 books, podcast with millions of downloads. His approach: evolutionary nutrition, strength training, intermittent fasting. Zero magic supplements, everything backed by meta-analyses.
Carlos Pérez (The Biohacker): functional medicine doctor, creator of LongeviClub. More technical than Marcos, goes deep into biomarkers, hormone therapies, metabolic reversal protocols. Shares his own blood work every quarter.
Núria Coll: pioneer in female longevity. Focuses biohacking on menstrual cycle, menopause, sarcopenia in women over 40. Critical of protocols designed only for Silicon Valley men.
Dr Álvaro Campillo: internist, YouTube educator. More accessible content, ideal for beginners. Explains complex studies in 10 minutes without losing rigour.
Iker Marcaide: entrepreneur and public experimenter. Documents his protocols (cryotherapy, ketosis, prolonged fasts) on social media. Less scientific, more 'I tried this and here's what happened'.
How to choose your first biohacking protocol
The beginner's trap: wanting to start with peptides, red light therapy or 5-day fasts. 80% of benefits come from 3 pillars you can control today without spending anything:
Deep sleep (the non-negotiable king)
7-8 hours with at least 90 minutes in deep phase. More impact on longevity than any supplement. Start with sleep hygiene: dark room, cool (18-20°C), no screens 90 minutes before bed.
If you've already covered that, consider magnesium glycinate (400mg before sleep) or glycine (3g). Studies show improvement in sleep onset and deep sleep time.
Adequate protein (1.6-2.2g/kg body weight)
Sarcopenia starts at 30. Maintaining muscle mass is the #1 predictor of longevity. Measure your actual intake with Cronometer for 7 days. Most people discover they eat 60-80g when they need 120-140g.
Creatine monohydrate (5g/day)
The supplement with the most evidence after protein. Not just for muscle: meta-analyses show cognitive benefits, neuroprotection, improvement in inflammation markers. £0.10/day, zero side effects at standard doses.
Once those 3 pillars are solid for 3+ months, consider adding layers: NMN, resveratrol, quality omega-3, photobiomodulation.
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Where to get testing and biomarkers in the UK
Serious biohacking requires measuring, not guessing. These are the options most used by the community:
Functional medicine clinics
Clinic chains like Neolife, Institute of Functional Medicine (now with UK presence) or independent practitioners offer complete longevity panels: hormone panels, inflammatory markers (ultrasensitive CRP, homocysteine), vitamins, minerals, advanced lipid profiles (not just total cholesterol).
Cost: £150-300 depending on depth. Includes interpretation with a functional medicine doctor.
Online labs (LetsGetChecked, Medichecks)
LetsGetChecked and Medichecks let you order tests without seeing a GP first. You choose the panel, visit a collection point, get results in 48-72 hours. More economical (£80-200) but without professional interpretation.
Useful if you know what you're looking for or have a biohacking group to help interpret.
NHS (yes, really)
Many progressive GPs will order extended tests if you explain your goal clearly. Ask for: full blood count, thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4), vitamin D, B12, ferritin, fasting glucose, HbA1c.
You won't get free testosterone or DHEA this way, but you'll cover the basics for free.
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How to avoid typical beginner biohacker mistakes
Mistake #1: starting with the exotic. Wanting to try peptides, hormone therapy or extreme fasts before mastering sleep, protein and exercise. Like buying a Lamborghini without a driving licence.
Mistake #2: changing 10 variables at once. You start magnesium, NMN, creatine, ketogenic diet and 16/8 fasting the same day. Impossible to know what works. Change ONE variable every 4-6 weeks, measure, adjust.
Mistake #3: obsession with metrics without context. Your HRV dropped 5 points this week. Does it mean anything? Probably not. Trends over 4-8 weeks matter, daily noise doesn't.
Mistake #4: confusing correlation with causation. "I started resveratrol and my cholesterol dropped." Or did you also cut ultra-processed foods, sleep better and walk 10,000 steps/day?
Mistake #5: isolating yourself from doctors. Biohacking complements medicine, it doesn't replace it. A good functional medicine doctor amplifies your results 10x. A bad one wastes your time and money.
Useful resources and tools for UK biohackers
Tracking apps
Cronometer: best for nutrition. Complete database, measures micronutrients, integrates with smart scales. £5/month for Gold version.
Oura Ring or Whoop: for sleep and recovery. Oura excels at sleep precision, Whoop at HRV and strain during training. £250 for the ring + £5/month, Whoop works by subscription (£25/month).
Levels (glucose CGM): not officially available in the UK yet, but many use Freestyle Libre (available from pharmacies without prescription) + Glimp app for continuous tracking. Useful for seeing food response.
Essential books
- Outlive (Peter Attia): the longevity medicine bible. 600 dense pages but the definitive mental framework.
- Invencibles (Marcos Vázquez): biohacking applied to European context, no dogma.
- Lifespan (David Sinclair): on the science of ageing. Inspiring but take his most extreme claims with caution.
Podcasts in English
- The Podcast (Peter Attia): long-form interviews, deep science, 90-120 minutes per episode.
- The Biohacker Podcast (Carlos Pérez): more technical, ideal once you know the basics.
- Comparte tu Longevidad (Núria Coll): female-focused, hormone topics, menopause.
Community-backed protocols
These are the most common stacks among UK biohackers who've been measuring and adjusting for 2+ years:
Basic stack (cost ~£20/month)
- Creatine monohydrate: 5g/day
- Vitamin D3 + K2: 2000-4000 IU depending on testing
- Magnesium glycinate: 400mg before bed
- Omega-3 (EPA+DHA): 2-3g/day from quality source
Intermediate stack (+£40/month)
The above plus:
- NMN or NR: 250-500mg on empty stomach
- Glycine: 3g before bed (improves deep sleep)
- Hydrolysed collagen: 10g/day (skin, joints)
Advanced stack (£80+/month)
Requires blood tests every 3-6 months and medical oversight:
- The above
- Micronised resveratrol: 500mg
- TMG: 500-1000mg (if using NMN)
- Berberine or metformin (under supervision): glucose control
- Therapies: infrared sauna 3x/week, occasional cryotherapy
At Longevitalis we've developed 3 complementary protocols that bundle several of these ingredients at clinical doses: LongeviNocturno for nocturnal repair (magnesium glycinate + glycine + others), Vitalis Renova+ for morning cellular renewal (NMN, resveratrol, TMG) and LongeviSkin for skin from within (collagen + antioxidants). All formulated in Spain under GMP standards, with complete transparency on doses and no proprietary blends hiding quantities.
The advantage of an integrated protocol: correct dosing (many market supplements use sub-therapeutic doses to cut costs), ingredient synergy and simplification (3 daily intakes vs 12 open bottles on your kitchen counter).
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Side effects and when to pause
Biohacking can drift into orthorexia or obsession. Warning signs:
- Anxiety if you skip a day of your protocol
- Social isolation because you can't control all variables at restaurants
- Spending >10% of income on supplements/testing
- Ignoring real symptoms to 'optimise biomarkers'
If you recognise yourself, pause for 2-4 weeks. Return to basics: sleep well, eat real food, move, connect with people. Biohacking is a means to live better, not an end in itself.
Common physical side effects:
- NMN/NR: mild facial flushing in some (due to NAD+ increase and vasodilation), disappears in 1-2 weeks
- Creatine: mild water retention (1-2kg), not fat, it's intramuscular
- Magnesium: loose stools if exceeding 600mg/day, reduce dose
- Berberine/metformin: initial digestive upset, take with food
For any persistent symptoms, consult your doctor. Don't ask the Telegram group alone.
FAQs about UK biohacking
Do I need to be a doctor or have a science background to biohack?
No, but curiosity about understanding studies and humility about recognising limits helps. Start with serious communicators (Marcos Vázquez is excellent), read books, join communities where you can ask questions. Most UK biohackers are engineers, entrepreneurs or professionals without medical training.
How much does it cost to start biohacking seriously?
Depends on your level. Level 1 (essentials): £0-20/month on key supplements + free on sleep and exercise protocols. Level 2 (blood tests 2x/year + intermediate stack): £80-120/month. Level 3 (functional clinic, advanced therapies, CGM): £250-400/month. Most of the community sits at levels 1-2.
Are biohacking supplements regulated in the UK?
Yes, under FSA (Food Standards Agency) rules. All food supplements sold legally must be notified, contain safe doses and not make medical claims. Distrust products promising to 'cure' or 'treat' diseases—that's medicine, not a supplement.
Can I biohack if I take chronic medication?
Depends on the medication. Anticoagulants, antidiabetics or immunosuppressants require strict medical supervision (some supplements interact). Contraceptives, antidepressants or thyroid meds are usually compatible but check first. A functional medicine doctor can coordinate with your specialist.
Do women need different protocols?
Absolutely. The menstrual cycle affects HRV, body temperature, insulin sensitivity and pain threshold. Menopause completely changes hormone profile and risk. Resources from Núria Coll or the book Fast Like a Girl (Mindy Pelz) adapt intermittent fasting, supplementation and training to the female cycle.
Is it worth attending events like Andorra Longevity Convention?
If you've been doing this 1+ year and want to accelerate, yes. The networking is worth more than the talks (though those are good too). You meet people to compare protocols with, discover non-public resources, stay motivated. If you're just starting, better to invest that money in blood tests and a couple of books.
Conclusion: your roadmap for entering UK biohacking
Biohacking in the UK isn't a fringe community of mad scientists in basements. It's a growing network of rational professionals using science and data to optimise their biology without losing life in the process.
Your action plan:
- Weeks 1-4: read Outlive or listen to 10 episodes of a longevity podcast. Join UK Biohackers Telegram and ONLY read, don't ask yet.
- Month 2: implement the basic stack (sleep, protein, creatine, vitamin D). Track in Cronometer for 2 weeks to see your real baseline.
- Month 3: get complete blood work (LetsGetChecked or functional medicine). Now, ask the community about interpretation.
- Months 4-6: attend a local meetup. Meet 2-3 people with similar goals. Solo biohacking is boring and less effective.
- Month 7+: consider Andorra Longevity Convention or another large event. By then you'll have context to get value from it.
The goal isn't becoming Bryan Johnson or spending £1,500/month on therapies. It's living better today whilst laying foundations to reach 80-90 with energy, muscle and a functional brain. The UK community gives you the map; you choose the pace.
Medical disclaimer: This information is educational and doesn't replace professional medical advice. Consult your doctor before starting any supplementation protocol or significant diet/exercise changes, especially if you take medication or have pre-existing conditions. Food supplements do not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
