People who obsessively tan may have an addiction to the ultraviolet rays of tanning beds, even experiencing a "high," much like a drug addiction. Researchers at Wake Forest University may have solved the question as to why many men and women still tan despite being aware of the dangers.
UV rays in tanning beds have an effect on the production of endorphins -- chemicals released from the brain that produces euphoric-like feeling in the body. Endorphins are often referred to as our bodies' natural morphine, reducing the pain we feel.
The Wake Forest study followed eight people who tanned at tanning beds frequently, from eight to 15 times a month and eight people who tanned less than 12 times per year. All participants were given a drug to block endorphin production and were instructed to tan in UV and non-UV tanning beds.
Those who tanned frequently were more apt to choose the UV ray-based beds than their less-tanning counterparts. When using non-UV beds, the frequent tanners developed symptoms that were similar to narcotics withdrawal. The less frequent tanners did not experience any symptoms.
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Addicted to tanning
People who obsessively tan may have an addiction to the ultraviolet rays of tanning beds.
 
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Did you know when our skin gets darker from tanning, it is actually a product of skin cell damage? The skin turns darker to protect itself. Tanners are literally damaging their cells' DNA, which could eventually lead to cancer.
Contrary to popular belief, using tanning beds is no safer than directly tanning in the sun. Many experts believe tanning beds may be worse than the natural sun because they use UVA rays, which have been linked to melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.
Sunburn-linked malignant melanoma is now the top cancer killer of women ages 25 to 30. One in 70 Americans will get melanoma in his or her lifetime now, according to the American Cancer Society. Last year, doctors diagnosed more than 59,000 new cases of malignant melanoma.
Despite warnings, teens continue to bake in the sun and in tanning booths. A study in the journal Pediatrics revealed more than one-third of 17-year-old girls use tanning salons.
Among 14-year-olds, that number was 7 percent. When teens, ages 12 to 17, were asked during a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology if they were aware getting a suntan can be dangerous for their skin, an overwhelming majority (79 percent) said "yes."
And 81 percent said that they know childhood sunburns increase their risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Still, 47 percent said they think people look healthier with a tan. And 66 percent believed people appear physically better with a tan.
Tanning can be achieved safely through artificial means, like self-tanning lotions, spray on tans and bronzing cosmetics.
