Homeostasis-anhomeostasis: Goliath and David

Organisms indeed demonstrate adaptability and relative stability in the face of external change. This is not only true along the physiochemical dimension, so well described by Bernard and Cannon, but it has been shown to obtain also along the behavioral dimension. The latter has been particularly evident in total body regulation via specific food hungers. Nevertheless, accepting the homeostatic model as the all-inclusive blueprint in explaining these phenomena is heuristically limiting. There are enough instances of nonregulation (anhomeostasis), particularly behavioral nonregulation, to preclude glib generalizations and conclusions. It is contended here that attention given to these anhomeostases should lead to a fuller understanding of food regulation in general and specific hungers in particular.