What is the difference between acclimatization and acclimation?

Acclimatization refers to the physiological adjustments that occur naturally when an individual is exposed to a new environment, such as changes in altitude or temperature, over a period of time. This process typically involves long-term adaptations that help the body cope with varied environmental stressors, enhancing performance and ensuring survival in those conditions.

Acclimation, on the other hand, is often an experimental or controlled process, typically performed in a laboratory setting where specific conditions can be manipulated to observe how the body adjusts to various stressors, such as heat or cold. This process may not reflect the natural and gradual adaptations that occur through acclimatization.

This distinction emphasizes that acclimatization is a natural process that occurs as part of the body's response to real-world environmental changes, while acclimation is a more artificial adaptation conducted in a controlled setting. This clarity helps in understanding how humans can adapt to different conditions based on the context of exposure, whether through everyday life experiences or regulated scientific studies.