Tech of the Future: Biofeedback

Every one of us craves sleep, endures the pangs of hunger, quells the hunger with muchos tacos, gets ill (hopefully not from the tacos), feels his dispositions wax and wane, and some of us even shed our endometrial linings on a regular basis. If you're anything like me--which is equal parts likely and unlikely--you've noticed that in addition to these obvious recurring events, your body has many subtle cycles and rhythms. And so it is with all living organisms.

As discussed in my prior post, feedback loops are a very useful tool in understanding and changing behavioral patterns. Biofeedback, one day, will provide opportunities for this feedback on the physical scale. I don't pretend to know how the technology would be integrated with our bodies, but here is a list of possibilities that I anticipate and desire:


Sleep, Exercise, and Caloric Metrics
Because who doesn't need a little more guilt about consuming those beers and hot wings late into the night? Or more of a reason to take that bike ride or seek a good night's sleep?

Menstruation Tracker
I only have my perspective here... but I think this form of biofeedback could be super useful for men too! I see a few possibilities: 23rd century rhythm method and fertility notification, early pregnancy detection with gestational feedback throughout pregnancy, PMS prediction, no more yearly women's wellness visits or self breast exams.

Medical Assist
Imagine a world without blood screens or diagnostic procedures; where cancer is highly treatable due to early detection; physician notification when your levels are out of balance; immediate detection of allergic reaction before Anaphylaxis occurs; emergency services alerted in the event of an elderly fall; minor illnesses  diagnosed without a trip to the doctor's office; and perhaps the eradication of hypochondria.

Mental Health Awareness
Science still has a lot of progress to make in the understanding of mental illness. Biofeedback would offer annals of patterns related to mood and stress, as well as an opportunity for patients to opt to provide researchers with data that can aid in deeper knowledge of brain function.

Although I'm certain this kind of intimate biological perspective would not appeal to some, I see the future of this technology as highly customized to an individual's desires, useful for the advancement of science, affordable for all who would seek it, and able to integrate into the field of medicine. I would certainly be one who would want to use this technology to realize my own biorhythms and to aid in improving my lifestyle for the sake of joyful longevity.