Chemically Modified Bodies: The Use of Diverse Substances for Appearance Enhancement

This innovative edited collection brings together leading international academics to explore the use of various non-prescription and prescription substances for the purpose of perceived body image enhancement. While studies on drug misuse to date have examined drug use in the context of sporting performance, addiction, and body image for particular groups such as bodybuilders, there has been little research that explores the wider use (and misuse) of legal and illegal drugs for body image development and weight loss. With medical sociology and social psychology at its core, this important volume shows the complex reasons behind the misuse of various medications, how these are connected to contemporary body image and appearance concerns, and why the known health risks and possibly harmful side effects do not act as deterrents.

About the Author

Matthew Hall is Research Associate at Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on understanding the impact of multiple and shifting identities as well as body modifications and online violences. Sarah Grogan is Professor of Psychology Health and Well-being at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of body image on health-related behaviors such as smoking and anabolic steroid use, and the impact of aging on body image. Brendan Gough is Professor of Social Psychology at Leeds Beckett University, UK. He is a qualitative researcher interested in men and masculinities and has published many papers on gender identities and relations, mostly in the context of health, lifestyles and wellbeing.