Most people aren’t aware that they may have this common addiction

Hooked on a feeling

It happens every year at our holiday party (and probably most others!). Girls eager to look their best in sleeveless short party dresses run to the tanning salon.

And truth be told, they do look pretty good.

But I hope it’s the only time all year they’re subjecting themselves to it because tanning has a dirty little secret.

It’s addictive…literally.

As addictions go, this one is socially acceptable (mostly) and not seen as self-destructive. Even so, the health repercussions can be deadly serious.

Burning desire

An addiction is an addiction. And even though it might sound a bit comical, research reveals that indoor tanning can get its hooks in you the same way cigarettes can.

All it takes is one or two tanning sessions. That turns into three or four. It feels good. It’s relaxing. It’s energizing. So what’s the problem?

The problem is the endorphin kick.

One theory has it that frequent tanners may be addicted to endorphins created in skin cells exposed to sunlight.

Endorphins are opioid compounds that provide a mental boost and a feeling of well being. In case you didn’t realize it, heroin and morphine are opioids.

A few years ago, researchers came up with a unique way to test this theory. They gave frequent tanners a drug that treats addiction by blocking opioid effects. Most of the tanners developed withdrawal symptoms similar to drug addiction withdrawal.

More recently, a research team monitored brain activity in subjects who used tanning beds at least three times per week. Subjects tanned once with normal UV rays. In a second test, subjects were unaware that a filter blocked UV light.

During normal UV exposure, brain activity increased in reward and addiction areas of the brain. This activity dropped off sharply when UV rays were blocked.

During post-UV-tanning interviews, subjects said they still had a desire to continue tanning. After non-UV sessions, subjects said they were satisfied. They had much less desire to continue.

And that desire can be dangerous.

A new British Medical Journal study links indoor tanning with significantly increased risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancers. But according to another BMJ study from last July, melanoma, which is quite deadly, is also a substantial risk.

This is a wake-up call for the millions of people who make numerous trips to tanning salons. Infrequent tanning, like those trying to look a little “hotter” at the holiday party, is not a problem for most people. But tanning addiction is similar to any other addiction. It can overtake and consume you — and put you at serious risk.

Sources:
“Indoor tanning and non-melanoma skin cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis” British Medical Journal, Vol. 345, 10/2/12, bmj.com

“How Tanning Changes the Brain Anahad O’Connor, New York Times, 8/12/11, well.blogs.nytimes.com