LeBron James has a biohacking routine that is rumored to cost up to $1,500,000, a commitment that experts believe will help him maintain longevity.
Back in 2016, sports writer Bill Simmons remarked that he had heard James invests about “a million and a half dollars a year on his body”.
Currently, James, at the age of 39, is featured in a new Netflix docu-series, Starting 5.
Although James hasn’t confirmed the exact amount, he acknowledges spending a significant amount of time on his health regimen, which includes practices such as cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric chamber sessions, naps, and a diet high in carbohydrates and low in sugar.
“I kind of just chuckle,” James commented, referring to the amount as a ‘crazy notion’.
“That is a number that I will not disclose, but, more importantly, I think it’s just the time.”
So, what exactly does James’ regimen entail? And how does it benefit him physically and mentally?
To start, James utilizes cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy, which involves using extremely low temperatures to reduce inflammation in the body.
Chronic inflammation can contribute to various health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
Dave Asprey, who is often called the ‘father of biohacking’, shared with The New York Post, “Cold therapy has been a part of my longevity strategy for years.
“An ice bath, cold shower, or cryotherapy session sends a powerful signal to your body to weed out the weak cells and grow stronger, more resilient ones. This is definitely something you want if you’re planning on living a long time.”
James has shared on social media about his use of cryotherapy and elaborated in the Netflix series about his routine of alternating between the ‘cold tub and hot tub’.
Additionally, James incorporates red light therapy, which utilizes low levels of red light to enhance skin appearance and alleviate pain and inflammation from conditions such as tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis.
This therapy is believed to function by increasing mitochondrial production in cells, thereby improving their performance.
James also spends time in a hyperbaric chamber for 90-minute sessions, which involves breathing in pure oxygen within a large, human-sized compartment.
This treatment aims to aid the body in healing by supplying 100 percent oxygen, unlike the usual air that contains about 21 percent oxygen.
It facilitates the delivery of oxygen-rich cells throughout the body, targeting injured tissues that need extra oxygen to recover.
James recognizes the critical nature of adequate sleep, which he complements with daily two to three-hour naps.
On The Tim Ferriss Show podcast, he remarked, “That’s the best way for your body to physically and emotionally be able to recover and get back to 100 percent as possible,”
“So some days you feel better than others.
“But the more, and more, and more time that you get those eight – if you can get nine, that’s amazing. Sometimes, I even get 10 hours of sleep.”
In terms of diet, James adjusts his carbohydrate intake during the NBA season while reducing sugars.
“So the sugars I kinda cut out, but the carbs I kinda ramp up. Because you’re losing so many calories, you’re burning so many calories, burning all your energy throughout those games,” he shared with UNINTERRUPTED.
“So I kinda go heavy on the carbs because it gives you energy. It’s worked for me.”