Science & technology | What doesnt kill youWhy carbon monoxide could appeal to the discerning doperProfessional cycling is debating whether to ban the poisonous gasPhotograph: Getty Images Jan 30th 2025CARBON MONOXIDE is best-known as a poison. Each year around 30,000 people worldwide die from exposure to the gas, which can be produced by cooking stoves or indoor fires. But could it also have something to offer the hard-pressed athlete looking for an edge?Explore moreThis article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline Riding highFrom the February 1st 2025 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the editionReuse this content