Evidence Tanning Is Addictive

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If people know that excessive exposure to UV rays causes cancer, why do they still insist on grilling themselves? Health psychologists would love to know the answer so they could help curb the growing rates of skin cancer. The obvious answer is that people think that tanned skin makes them look more attractive, but this is not the whole story.

Research has suggested that UV rays provide a relaxing effect through an endorphin rush. Building on this, new research asks whether tanning might actually be addictive. In questioning 145 beachgoers in the US, researchers used models only slightly modified from those used to describe substance-related disorders like drug addiction.

The study's authors argue that thinking of tanning as a form of addiction may help to design better ways of discouraging excessive tanning.
ScienceDaily

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2 comments

  1. nodnoly says:

    That's not at all a crazy idea, I like to get sun bath, although I now is not good for my skin's health, but I feel so well when I feel the sun is touching me...

  2. Tanning Beds says:

    I suppose anything that feels good can be considered "addictive" mentally, but I doubt there's any sort of physical addiction.

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