New Study Suggest That Tanning Is Physically Addicting

Getting high on your own supply

Now that fall is upon us, this means apple picking, cider donuts and the inevitable fading of our glorious summer glow. As the weather gets chillier, our tushs become paler. Unless you are luckily enough to score a vacation to St. Barts for Christmas, you may be tempted to use a tanning bed to get a little color.

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However, a recent study from dermatologist, Dr. David E. Fisher, suggests that you might not be able to stop at one tanning session. In his previous research, Dr. Fisher had discovered how UV light causes pigmentation in the skin. This work allowed Dr. Fisher to later discover that the same pathway also produces excess beta-endorphins in the body.

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Beta-endorphins are like naturally occurring opioids that humans produce in their bodies. The beta-endorphins not only bind to the same neuro-receptors that opiods bind to, they also affect the body the same way.

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To see if the increase levels of beta-endorphins from UV causes addictive behavior, Dr Fisher and his team conducted an experiment using Mus musculus—better know as the common lab mouse. The partially shaven mice were exposed to UV light 5 times a week for 6 months. The study showed that the levels of beta-endorphin increased up to 30-50%.

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The increase of beta-endorphins showed opioid-like effects such as increased pain tolerance and erect tail positions. The mice also exhibited signs of withdrawal (body shakes, teeth chatters and paw tremors) when they were injected with a drug that counteracts opioids.

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Dr. Fisher later ran the same study on a group of mice that are unable to produce beta-endorphins; these mice were unaffected by doses of UV rays.

While your tan begins to fade, you should consider a much less addicting spray tan. Better yet, embrace your paleness! If anything, you are just that much closer to being a Disney Princess