What if you could see in the dark—not with infrared goggles or augmented reality glasses, but with your own eyes?
In the shadowy, experimental world of biohacking, a group of researchers and self-proclaimed human optimizers have taken that idea literally—using eye drops made with Chlorin e6 (Ce6) to gain temporary night vision.
Yes, real-life night vision eye drops. And yes, this really happened.
Let’s dive into the science, the experiment, and what it says about the future of human enhancement.
🧪 What is Chlorin e6 (Ce6)?
Chlorin e6 is a light-sensitive compound derived from chlorophyll (yes, the stuff in plants). It’s been used in photodynamic cancer therapy and as a sensitizing agent to help certain drugs or treatments target specific cells when exposed to light.
But Ce6 has another unusual property: when introduced into the eye, it appears to amplify the retina’s ability to detect low-light conditions—potentially giving the user enhanced night vision.
🔬 Ce6 acts as a “light amplifier” by improving the efficiency of the rods in your retina—the photoreceptor cells responsible for vision in dim environments.
🧑🔬 The DIY Night Vision Experiment
In 2015, a biohacking collective called Science for the Masses decided to test the theory. Their approach? Skip the lab. Do it themselves.
One member volunteered to have Ce6 eye drops administered directly into his conjunctival sac (the membrane lining the eyelids), while the rest of the team documented the results.
What Happened?
- Within an hour, the subject reported noticeable improvement in low-light vision
- He could identify symbols and figures in complete darkness at a distance of over 50 meters
- The effect reportedly lasted for several hours, with vision returning to normal afterward
- No long-term damage or immediate side effects were recorded—though the experiment was extremely limited in scope
⚠️ Important Note: This was a non-clinical, unregulated experiment. The safety, repeatability, and biological risks are unknown.
🌌 The Implications: Superpowers or Super Risk?
This may sound like something out of a cyberpunk novel—but the implications are real.
If safe and effective, eye drops like Ce6 could transform:
- Military operations (replacing bulky night vision goggles)
- Search and rescue missions in low-light environments
- Augmented human capabilities in professions like security, aviation, or emergency response
- Even future space exploration where light is limited
But here’s the twist—this isn’t about governments or corporations. This was a DIY experiment by garage-level scientists and biohackers, pushing the boundaries of biology without permission.
⚖️ Ethical & Safety Concerns
While the concept is thrilling, the risks are real:
- Eye damage from untested compounds
- Unknown interactions with light exposure
- Lack of peer-reviewed data or repeatable results
- Moral concerns about human experimentation
Many scientists and ophthalmologists have warned against replicating the experiment without strict clinical oversight.
“The eye is delicate—and you’re not meant to mess with its chemistry lightly,” says Dr. Richard Gans, a leading ophthalmologist.
🧠 Final Thoughts: The Future of Human Enhancement?
The Ce6 eye drop experiment is a glimpse into the growing movement of DIY human enhancement. While it’s too early to call it safe, it raises important questions:
- How far will we go to upgrade ourselves?
- What role should biohackers play in advancing science?
- And what happens when citizen science meets the boundaries of human biology?
The dream of night vision isn’t new—but the fact that someone did it with plant-based compounds and a pipette, outside the walls of a university lab, is something worth seeing… even in the dark.