This question doesn't really make sense to me because everything is a trade-off fundamentally. If the human body could perform better without any negative side effects, then it would do so already. This is why I'm suspicious of all drugs and don't take them unless it's absolutely necessary. The only way your scenario could work is by magic, and in that case I'd rather the magic be in the form of some spell or affirmation or something than (somehow) in the form of a pill. =P

Don't we all do this? We adapt to the pressure of life. Even I would eat raisins when there was no other food. Given the perfect treatment you could bring a group of priests to slaughter and eat each other. A group of people under extreme conditions can throw grace, dignity, sense and sensibility out of the window in an astonishing fashion and speed. I firmly believe you would be among the lesser extreme cases with your penguin affinity! 😁

Yes