Drug-based enhancement is no longer an underground phenomenon but is now firmly focused within the mainstream consciousness.

Performance-enhancing drugs are no longer used solely for personal gratification, but also for competitive advantage in a gamut of fields – ranging from the highest academic circles through to elite sporting events.

In a newcommentarypublished inBMC Medicine, Morten Hesse argues that public health interventions should not focus on whichaspects of human behaviour it is acceptable to enhance; instead they should target and regulate the relevant harms associated with the use of these substances.

Providing eloquent examples to argue his case, Hesse provides a fascinating discussion into why we should not necessarily be looking to limit access to these substances, but rather be looking at reducing any associated burden of illness connected with substance use.

Visit theBMC Medicinewebsiteto learn more about this controversial and often polarising topic.