Which term describes increasing sensitivity to a drug's effects with continued use, also known as the kindling effect?

Which term describes increasing sensitivity to a drug's effects with continued use, also known as the kindling effect?

• A. Reverse tolerance
• B. Tolerance
• C. Withdrawal
• D. Potency

Answer: (A)

Increasing sensitivity to a drug’s effects with continued use is reverse tolerance, also known as sensitization. This means the same amount of drug produces stronger effects over time, unlike tolerance where you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect. The kindling idea is that repeated exposure can prime neural systems to react more intensely, which aligns with the concept of increasing sensitivity. The other terms don’t fit: tolerance describes a diminished response requiring larger doses; withdrawal refers to symptoms that occur after stopping use; potency is about the inherent strength of the drug at a given dose, not how sensitivity changes with continued use.

Increasing sensitivity to a drug’s effects with continued use is reverse tolerance, also known as sensitization. This means the same amount of drug produces stronger effects over time, unlike tolerance where you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect. The kindling idea is that repeated exposure can prime neural systems to react more intensely, which aligns with the concept of increasing sensitivity. The other terms don’t fit: tolerance describes a diminished response requiring larger doses; withdrawal refers to symptoms that occur after stopping use; potency is about the inherent strength of the drug at a given dose, not how sensitivity changes with continued use.