Chemically Modified Bodies

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. Introduction

   • Sarah Grogan, Matthew Hall, Brendan Gough

   Pages 1-9

3. Background

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 11-11

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   2. Use of Supplements and Drugs to Change Body Image and Appearance Among Boys and Male Adolescents

      • Lina A. Ricciardelli, Robert J. Williams

      Pages 13-30

   3. Muscle Dysmorphia and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use

      • Dave Smith, Mary Caitlyn Rutty, Tracy W. Olrich

      Pages 31-50

   4. Use of Drugs to Change Appearance in Girls and Female Adolescents

      • Jennifer O’Dea, Renata Leah Cinelli

      Pages 51-76

4. Non-prescription Substances

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 77-77

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   2. Caffeine Misuse and Weight Loss

      • Carla E. Ramacciotti, Elisabetta Coli, Annalisa Burgalassi

      Pages 79-92

   3. Body Image, Enhancement, and Health in the Advertising of Sports and Nutritional Supplements

      • Simon Outram

      Pages 93-110

   4. Smoking and Appearance

      • Sarah Grogan

      Pages 111-126

   5. Bodybuilders’ Accounts of Synthol Use: The Construction of Lay Expertise

      • Matthew Hall, Sarah Grogan, Brendan Gough

      Pages 127-145

5. Prescription Substances

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147

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   2. Non-Medical Use of ADHD Stimulants for Appetite Suppression and Weight Loss

      • Amy J. Jeffers, Eric G. Benotsch

      Pages 149-172

   3. Commonly Prescribed Oral Anti-Obesity Medication and Alternative Anorectics

      • Julien S. Baker, Bruce Davies, Michael R. Graham

      Pages 173-199

   4. Peptide Hormones, Metformin and New-Wave Practices and Research Therapies

      • Michael R. Graham, Julien S. Baker, Bruce Davies

      Pages 201-229

6. Back Matter

   Pages 231-242

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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.

• body and society
• Body image
• medical sociology
• psychology
• health
• drugs
• Social psychology
• Sexualities
• Men and Masculinity
• qualitative research

• University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom

  Matthew Hall

• Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

  Sarah Grogan

• Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom

  Brendan Gough

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. 

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