I knew there was something fishy about tanning!

[emmagrant01]

This explains a lot about my family, really. My mom, aunt, sister, and cousins are religious about tanning, and it's never held any appeal for me. I'm happily pale and unblemished while they're increasingly leathery, mwahahaha. And they know it's bad for them, but they do it anyway, just like smoking.

Small Study Points To Addictive Effects Of Frequent Tanning

Frequent users of tanning beds may be getting more out of the experience than darker skin, according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. New evidence suggests that ultraviolet light has "feel-good" effects that may be similar to those of some addictive drugs.

Link to full story

Comments

[quiet000001.livejournal.com]

Huh. I can't remember if I felt better, mood-wise, when I was having UV regularly or not. I'll have to pay attention next time. :)

(I have severe psoriasis and UV is a popular treatment for it. Much more carefully regulated than a tanning bed, though. :) )

[pirate-chick69.livejournal.com]

my gd... that's scary. it is like smoking... *shivvers* better warn your family, i guess.

[laughingcamel.livejournal.com]

OMG, It does mkae sense, why else would people keep going? I have to admit it kind of funny.

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

I don't spend time "tanning", but I sure love that sun-warmed feeling. I can believe it's addictive.

[http://users.livejournal.com/reciprocity_/]

that's mildly creepy. I'm not a tanning fan - or a wrinkles fan LOL.

I'm one of those burns and peels and end up still white people... but i also know some people who are masively into the whole tanning thing.

Neat article, thanks for linking

take care

[lunicanca.livejournal.com]

I know that sunlight (UV rays from tanning beds also? I don't know) has vitamin D in it, which is thought to possibly increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin makes people happy -- depressed people often lack normal levels of serotonin, while some drugs affect serotonin in order for it to stimulate its receptors more, thus giving people a high. So, maybe it's just that they're getting addicted to the vitamin D they get from tanning, if that happens. I guess my suggestion would be to spend a little bit of time outside on a regular basis (The National Institues of Health's website (http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp) suggests 10-15 minutes without sunscreen (but using sunscreen after that point) at least twice a week) and skip the tanning beds. :/

[henpecked.livejournal.com]

i'm really not surprised at all. tanning kind of freaks me out, to be honest.

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

As someone who's perpetually cold, I can say that one thing I loved about the tanning beds was how warm I felt for hours afterwards....

[sciencegeek.livejournal.com]

Hey! I heard about this on CBC radio a few weeks ago.

[eristeleute.livejournal.com]

Not something I would have guessed offhand, but it definitely makes sense. I know/have seen a lot of girls with deep, deep bronze tans who continue to go to the tanning beds once or twice a week, even though they're way darker than looks healthy (or natural). The article certainly helps explain the compulsion. :/

No wonder!

[still-dorothy.livejournal.com]

*raises hand guiltily*

I admit it. I'm a tanning bed lover. I find it therapeutic to lay there for twenty minutes in solitude and warmth. The golden brown skin is a perk.

*grabs keys, zooms off to Palm Beach Tan*

[kokopoko.livejournal.com]

When I tanned I always left feeling very happy and satisfied and it wasn't because of the tan as it takes a long time for me to tan.

[brumeux77.livejournal.com]

Having had a chunk taken out of my ear because of skin cancer, I find tanning salons scary and can't imagine how they stay in business.

[mtnjoy.livejournal.com]

My mom, aunt, sister, and cousins are religious about tanning

Whoa, man, that's so ... retro.