 radiation hormesis (also called radiation homeostasis) is the hypothesis that low doses of ionizing radiation (within the region of and just above natural background levels) are beneficial, stimulating the activation of repair mechanisms that protect against disease, that are not activated in absence of ionizing radiation. the reserve repair mechanisms are hypothesized to be sufficiently effective when stimulated as to not only cancel the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation but also inhibit disease not related to radiation exposure (see hormesis). this counter-intuitive hypothesis has captured the attention of scientists and public alike in recent years. quoting results from a literature database research, the acadÃ©mie des sciences &mdash; acadÃ©mie nationale de mÃ©decine (french academy of sciences &mdash; national academy of medicine) stated in their 2005 report concerning the effects of low-level radiation that many laboratory studies have observed radiation hormesis.{{cite journal |doi=10.1504/ijlr.2003.003488 |title=a database of cancer induction by low-dose radiation in mammals: overview and initial observations |year=2003 |last1=duport |first1=
Radiation_health_effects Radiobiology