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Regulatory Adaptation

Meaning

A dynamic physiological process where the body’s homeostatic systems, particularly the endocrine and nervous systems, adjust their function in response to chronic internal or external stimuli, such as long-term drug exposure or persistent stress. This adaptation aims to re-establish a new state of equilibrium, often involving changes in receptor sensitivity, enzyme expression, or hormone production rates. It is a critical concept in understanding the long-term effects of hormonal interventions.