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Allostasis versus Homeostasis

Meaning

Homeostasis describes the body’s inherent tendency to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal physiological state through negative feedback mechanisms, such as stable core temperature or blood glucose levels. Allostasis, conversely, represents the active process of achieving stability through physiological or behavioral change in response to perceived internal or external demands or stressors. While homeostasis seeks constancy, allostasis embraces regulated variability to meet changing environmental challenges, a concept crucial for understanding chronic stress impact on the endocrine system.