Can You Be Addicted to the Sun?
Who doesn’t love the sun’s rays? After all, the sun help us absorb and synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. We need vitamin D to help our immune system, and for healthy bones. Enough vitamin D in our diet can help us prevent chronic diseases like osteoporosis. However, the relaxing and mood enhancement benefits of tanning beds and sunbathing can become addictive, and deadly.
The American Skin Cancer Foundation has conducted research showing that ultraviolet violet (UV) light is addictive because of the endorphins that are released during the tanning session. Endorphins are opioid-like chemicals that are released when we tan.
For tanning addicts, the overwhelming evidence that links ultraviolet rays (UVR) and skin cancer isn’t enough to stop. Think tanning beds are safer than the sun? Think again. UVR exposure occurs from both the sun and indoor tanning machines. The results of tanning can include temporary sun burn or blisters, and long-term melanoma and non-melanoma forms of skin cancer.
