Brandon Banach, a 26-year-old entrepreneur and influencer with over 320,000 Instagram followers, says he uses 'biohacking' methods—including GLP-1 injections and IV drips—to maintain his health while partying once or twice a week in Miami and on trips to Ibiza. Despite NHS warnings that these practices can be 'potentially deadly,' Banach credits them with allowing him to balance a wild social life with his work running the sunglasses company BVLDFRAMES.
Biohacking Regimen and Party Lifestyle
Banach describes his approach as using pharmacology in a non-traditional way to change how his body reacts to certain things and prolong his youth. Before big trips, he takes GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) and follows a strict high-protein 'clean' meal plan while working out up to four times a week. He also aims for 10 hours of sleep on weeknights, limits fast food to once a week, and champions post-meal walks to aid digestion.
To combat hangovers and bloating, Banach uses glutathione IV drips twice a week at a cost of $500 per treatment. Glutathione is a naturally occurring peptide produced in the liver, but alcohol consumption can reduce its levels. He says the drips help counter the ageing effects of partying and keep him young.
Health Warnings from Authorities
The NHS warns that GLP-1s have not been assessed for safety and effectiveness when used outside their licensed indications, such as for weight loss in people who are not obese or overweight. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) specifically advises against using these drugs for aesthetic or cosmetic weight loss. Health chiefs also highlight the increased risk of severe acute pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has spoken out about the dangers of unregulated intravenous glutathione drips, reporting serious side effects including anaphylaxis requiring hospitalisation, kidney strain, and infections. The CTSI has called on the Government to implement a licensing scheme to clamp down on the fad and remove unsafe products sold online, especially injectable substances like glutathione that can be purchased with no checks.
Banach's Perspective and Caution
Banach admits he would not necessarily recommend his extreme tactics to others and tries not to resort to them too often. He said: 'I think it's easy to get carried away with the nightlife and partying. If we want to live healthy lives, we should take care of our health and do these things for longevity. Biohacking to me is using pharmacology in a non-traditional way. We can actually change the way that our body reacts to certain things and prolong our lives, regardless of if you're partying or not.'
He added: 'I live in Miami so the nightlife scene is pretty strong out here, on a normal week I'm out once or twice a week. I don't know if I'd recommend it to people, but there are certain things like GLP-1s that can lower your food noise. If I need the extra help I will take them but I try not to do this too often as you can get reliant on them.'
Broader Implications and Regulation Calls
The MHRA warned in February that GLP-1s are medicines licensed to treat specific medical disorders and should only be used if you are overweight or diabetic, not for weight loss for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes. Despite these warnings, Banach continues to use the methods to maintain his trim figure and party lifestyle, while also exploring new sciences and technology to slow down aging.
