Sensitization is ... About different meanings of the same term

Phenomena of sensitization are observed in biology, medicine, psychology, chemistry and physics, as well as several other fields of science. In this case, the term implies completely different things. What are we talking about?

Biology and Medicine

As a rule, this term is used by allergists. In this area, sensitization is an increase in the sensitivity of the organism to any external or internal stimuli. It is the first stage of allergic reactions in response to contact with certain substances. In this case, special antibodies are produced in the body, lymph nodes, the number of lymphocytes increase, and changes in the functioning of the nervous system are observed. Thus, sensitization is, in fact, the formation of an allergic reaction. The next time contact with the stimulus can turn into full-fledged problems.

There is still such a thing as Rh-sensitization. This is the same phenomenon, but a specific one. It may be faced by pregnant women with a negative Rh factor. In this case, the irritant is the proteins in the blood of the fetus.

In addition, this term, along with the concept of "adaptation" is also used to describe the work of the senses. Receptors can be trained, developing their sensitivity. For example, the development of taste and smell is done by tasters, perfumers. You can also train your eyesight or hearing, increasing your overall susceptibility or reaction to certain stimuli. If for some reason the receptors of one kind do not work, compensatory mechanisms are included, the sensitivity of other organs increases. Thus, sensitization is a mechanism that allows the body to adapt to new conditions, and also signal the presence of a strong stimulus.

In psychology

Not only biologists and medical professionals use this term. Psychologists also use this concept in their work, understanding under it phenomena of the same type, but on a different level. Usually it is still about desensitization, that is, mitigating anxious reactions in response to stimuli. First of all, the term is used in the context of getting rid of phobias.

Another sphere of application is painful predilection for various substances. In this context, sensitization is a more violent reaction of the organism in response to a second dose equal to the first. Here psychology already closely borders on neurobiology, because, according to research, this phenomenon arises from changes in the so-called pleasure center. The notion of addiction is widely known, when ever higher doses are required to obtain the same effect. In this context, an antonym to him will be just sensitization.

Examples of the use of the term in other scientific fields

This concept is also used in physics and, for example, in photochemistry. In the first case, sensitization is understood as the transfer of energy from one molecule to another. In the second one they talk about the increase in the sensitivity of the photographic material, moreover, spectral sensitization, with the help of which a reaction is only achieved to light with a certain wavelength, is obtained.