Unexpected enhancements

Unexpected enhancements

From Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

May 22, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

The episode explores unexpected areas of performance enhancement, including the effects of cocaine on salmon and the role of peptides in influencer culture, featuring insights from Prof David Putrino on athlete safety at the Enhanced Games.

Have you ever wondered what happen to salmon when too much cocaine seeps into their rivers? Inspired by the Enhanced Games, we lookat unexpected areas of performance enhancement. Peptides are making a splash in influencer circles, but what is the science? Plus, we hear from Prof David Putrino, who is making sure the athletes at the Enhanced Games are staying safe. He shares what we can learn from the Games – and how the data could help develop future medicines. Also on the show, whether radio waves can enhance your sense of smell, and is an hour at a gallery as beneficial as an hour at the gym? Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Katie Silver and Andrada Fiscutean Producer: Sophie Ormiston, with Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, Robbie Wojciechowski and Scarlett Victoria

People in this episode

Host: Marnie Chesterton

Guest: Prof David Putrino

Topics covered

  • performance enhancement
  • science of peptides
  • athlete safety
  • impact of drugs on wildlife
  • health benefits of art
  • radio waves and senses

Keywords

  • performance enhancement
  • cocaine
  • salmon
  • peptides
  • Enhanced Games
  • athlete safety
  • radio waves
  • sense of smell
  • health benefits
  • art

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Enhanced Games, BBC World Service

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