By Dennis Sale
THE previous columns outlined the impact of nutrition and psychological interventions on physical health and psychological wellbeing. In this column, I focus on how technologies, especially in the context of rapid developments in artificial intelligence, offer potential benefits in these areas.
In today’s context, these technologies encompass a wide range of tools and systems designed to improve both physical and mental health. The hardware components include medical devices, wearable technology, and imaging equipment, while software solutions range from electronic health records to telehealth platforms and AI-powered tools. Data analytics and machine learning are now able to derive detailed insights from health data to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health-related decision-making. For example, mental-health support apps, stress-reduction tools, and lifestyle-tracking devices can help individuals make healthier choices and improve their quality of life. Mainstream medicines are also integrated into health-technology systems, from drug discovery and development to personalised medicine and delivery systems. Also, specialised therapies such as ice baths and oxygen chambers are becoming popular in mainstream use.
The increasing integration of these diverse technologies, coupled with other health-promoting activities relating to good nutrition, exercise, and sleep, constitutes a comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing. Certainly, life expectancy has increased dramatically in modern societies which can be attributed, in conjunction with enhanced public health measures, to discoveries in antibiotics, vaccines, and surgical techniques. To illustrate, in the early 1900s, the global average life expectancy was around 32 years; whereas today, it’s well over 70 years.
The big question concerns what is the “end game” in terms of health and wellbeing technologies in the AI era. This was highlighted by Joel Garreau in his book Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies – and What It Means to Be Human. He describes various technologies and scenarios that can lead the world into a “posthuman” or “transhuman” future, in which humanity and technology merge to become something beyond human – essentially cyborgs. The key technologies that can create such existential changes are what he referred to as GRIN technologies: genetics, robotics, information, and nanotechnology. Certainly, the recent explosion of discourse on AI – which ranges from a scenario of utopia (eg, a world of abundance and health) to one of a grim dystopia (eg, elimination by a super-intelligent AI) makes this a fundamental issue of human concern. The futurist writer Harari (2016) made an interesting assertion: “In the 21st century, humans are likely to make a serious bid for immortality. Struggling against old age and death will merely carry on the time-honoured fight against famine and disease.”
In terms of modern science and modern culture, he goes on to suggest that: “They don’t think of death as a metaphysical mystery, and they certainly don’t view death as the source of life’s meaning. Rather, for modern people, death is a technical problem that we can and should solve.”
However, whatever the end game becomes and where we are now in its evolutionary process is contested both in terms of what is possible and what is desirable, as well as when (and if) such “radical evolution” will become evident in such forms.
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Cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
There are many developments in health technologies, and comprehensive coverage is beyond this single column. Two increasingly popular ones are cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Do not be put off by the terminology, as cryotherapy is basically an ice bath, and HBOT is a sealed chamber that is pressurised with pure oxygen.
Ice baths have been shown to offer the following potential health benefits:
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Reduces inflammation: Cold exposure can help constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the affected area and minimising inflammation. This can be beneficial for athletes recovering from injuries or individuals with chronic pain conditions.
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Pain relief: By numbing the affected area, cold therapy can provide temporary pain relief. This can be helpful for muscle soreness, joint pain, and headaches.
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Improves circulation: The body’s response to cold exposure can temporarily improve circulation, potentially aiding in recovery and healing.
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Boosts mood: Some studies suggest that cold therapy can have a positive impact on mood and may help reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety.
I would assume that the folk I see going into the sea daily in the winter would substantiate some of these benefits. For me. I must confess that while the evidence of potential benefits is convincing, I find this a difficult option. I lived in Singapore for 25 years and I never really felt the heat and humidity – it was not a problem for me. I do use a steam room on most days, as this also has health benefits, and I do enjoy my 30-minute sessions – very relaxing and it means I can reduce the number of layers I need to wear on my exposure to the outside world.
Oxygen chambers create an environment where the increased pressure allows the body to absorb more oxygen than it would under normal atmospheric conditions. This technology, apart from its established use for treating divers with decompression sickness and in professional sport for enhanced healing, is becoming increasing used mainstream for a range of health-related issues, including:
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Wound healing: Increased oxygen levels can promote faster healing of wounds, including diabetic ulcers, burns, and radiation injuries.
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Bone infections: HBOT can help treat bone infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning: HBOT can help remove carbon monoxide from the body, reducing the damage it causes.
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Radiation injuries: HBOT can help protect tissues from radiation damage and promote healing after radiation therapy.
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Enhanced wellbeing and anti-ageing through:
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Increased oxygenation: The increased oxygen levels in the body can improve cellular function and metabolism, leading to increased energy levels and a sense of wellbeing.
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Reduced inflammation: HBOT can help reduce inflammation, which is associated with many chronic diseases and ageing.
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Improved circulation: Increased oxygen levels can improve blood flow, promoting better circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues.
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Antioxidant effects: HBOT can increase the production of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage.
Having suffered with chronic back pain, I have utilised a range of activities and treatments for mitigating the impact of this condition.
Certainly, specific exercise programmes have helped, so does maintaining a healthy body weight, and my use of HBOT has been a particularly impactful technology in terms of sustained pain relief for me.
In summary to this overview of using technologies, it is the case that what works best is often bound up with one’s own personal health scenario, and it’s important to do the necessary research and consult health specialists if you are unsure about what might be most useful and viable for you.
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Epilogue to this series
I have expert medical friends who combine the range of health and wellbeing components as an integrated lifestyle. Yes, some do believe in the possibility of an end game in which the GRIN technologies eliminate all/most diseases and humans live a greatly extended lifespan, governed more by choice than natural evolution. I don’t think this will occur in my lifetime, but I would rather stay healthier for longer, and I make what I see as balanced and realistic evidence-based health and wellbeing choices. It’s one “if only” I may not need to regret.
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Dennis Sale worked in the Singapore education system for 25 years as adviser, researcher and examiner. He coached over 15,000 teaching professionals and provided 100+ consultancies in the Asian region. Dennis is author of the books Creative Teachers: Self-directed Learners (Springer 2020) and Creative Teaching: An Evidence-Based Approach (Springer, 2015). To contact Dennis, visit dennissale.com.
