Definition: Mithridatisation

The act of ingesting increasing doses of a toxic substance in order to become insensitive or resistant to it.

The consumption of alcohol in regular and increasing doses is a form of mithridatisation, whereby regular drinkers feel fewer effects. It is therefore a general observation that the regular and frequent consumption of a toxic substance by an individual is followed by increasingly less pronounced reactions. After a certain period of time, the subject is able to 'tolerate' large doses of the toxic substance, doses that could cause serious accidents in an unaccustomed subject. This is called habituation.

The word originates from King Mithridates VI who, fearing for his life, wanted to acquire a perfect knowledge of poisons and their antidotes in order to protect himself. According to legend, he managed to immunise himself by regularly ingesting small doses. Defeated by Pompey, he wanted to kill himself by poisoning himself, but could only die by being killed by a mercenary. This method may also be at the origin of homeopathy.

The expression is sometimes used for other types of intoxication, such as ideological intoxication.