Ad hoc and Fast Forward: The Science of Hormesis Growth and Development

BACKGROUND: Hormesis is a binary response phenomenon with low-dose stimulation (or inhibition) of effects by substances producing opposite high-dose responses. Hormesis, after decades of obscurity, has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with rapid growth benefiting greatly from the systematized efforts of such proponents as the hormesis group at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst led by Edward J. Calabrese. OBJECTIVE: In this commentary I analyze chemical hormesis methodology with reference to ad hoc scientific approaches for defining and characterizing hormesis. DISCUSSIONS: Proponents of hormesis have attempted a scientific characterization of hormesis through a battery of ad hoc methodologies using unvalidated criteria and other mechanisms for persistent database searches rather than through de novo hypothesis testing specific for hormesis. Here I discuss various scientific problems with this search-over-experiment approach, as well as other aspects of attempts at defining and characterizing the field. CONCLUSIONS: Wide acceptance of hormesis by the broad scientific community and adoption of hormesis by public agencies for inclusion in health and regulatory policies have not occurred. Reasons may include the singular nature of hormesis research and directions followed in hormesis methodologies.