Brandon Banach, a 26-year-old entrepreneur and fitness influencer with over 320,000 Instagram followers, openly uses weight-loss jabs and intravenous drips as what he calls 'biohacking' to sustain a party lifestyle involving weekly nights out and trips to Ibiza. He defends the practices despite NHS warnings that such use is unlicensed and potentially dangerous.
Party and fitness balance
Banach says he goes out partying once or twice a week, drinking tequila club sodas and dancing into the early hours. To maintain his physique and energy, he combines GLP-1 receptor agonists—commonly used for diabetes and weight loss—with strict high-protein 'clean' meal plans and workouts up to four times a week. He also aims for 10 hours of sleep on weeknights and limits fast food to once a week.
Banach explained: '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.'
GLP-1 risks and NHS warnings
GLP-1s are licensed for diabetes and weight loss in obese or overweight individuals. The NHS warns they have not been assessed for safety when used outside licensed indications, such as for aesthetic weight loss in people who are not overweight. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) specifically cautioned in February: 'GLP-1s are medicines licensed to treat specific medical disorders and should only be used if you are overweight or diabetic, and not if you want to lose weight for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes.' Health chiefs also highlight increased risks of severe acute pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
Banach admits he uses GLP-1s selectively: '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. It depends on my schedule but if I have a trip planned and I'm going to Ibiza, I'm going to want to line it up so I can look my best.'
IV glutathione drips and safety concerns
Banach also receives glutathione IV drips twice a week, costing $500 per treatment. He believes the naturally occurring peptide, which is produced in the liver, helps combat ageing effects from alcohol. However, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned about unregulated intravenous glutathione drips, citing consumer reports of serious side effects including anaphylaxis requiring hospitalisation, kidney strain, and infections. A Channel 4 investigation confirmed these risks. The CTSI has called on the Government to implement a licensing scheme and remove unsafe injectable products sold online with no checks.
Banach said: 'There is one peptide that I really like called glutathione and it's something that is already produced in your liver. I do this once or twice a week through an IV and I do this to combat the ageing effects of partying and keep me young.'
Biohacking as a lifestyle choice
Banach, who also runs the sunglasses company BVLDFRAMES, describes his approach as 'non-traditional' and acknowledges it may not be suitable for others. He said: 'I don't know if I'd recommend it to people... We're using these methods in a way that normal people wouldn't be doing. I'm using biohacking to party.' His social media content has shifted from pure bodybuilding to broader lifestyle topics, including biohacking experiments.
Despite the risks, Banach remains committed to his methods, viewing them as a way to prolong youth and enjoy nightlife without compromising his health or work ethic.
