A recent study suggests that people who carry a
particular gene variant may be more likely to develop an addiction to tanning.
Whether from the sun or from a tanning bed, the idea that ultraviolet light can
be addictive is still fairly new, although the recent studies are presenting
biological evidence that some people can and do develop a dependence on
ultraviolet radiation, similar to the way that some people become dependent on
drugs. A researcher at the Yale School of Public Health, Brenda Cartmel, stated
that “It’s probably a very small percentage of people who tan that become
dependent,” but to develop refined therapies understand why some people become
dependent is important. Unfortunately due to indoor tanning, people getting
skin cancer are at younger and younger ages.
Given that ultimately what they want to do is
prevent skin cancer, the team of researchers wanted to see if there are any
gene variants connected to tanning dependence, since genes are known to sway
the risk of addiction. Saliva samples were taken from 79 people that showed
signs of tanning dependence and from 213 people who tanned but showed no signs
of being addicted at all. From the two different groups, over 300,000 gene
variations, there was one gene that noticeably stuck out called PTCHD2. This
gene’s exact job is not known for sure but it does generally act in the brain.
For the reason that the biology behind tanning dependence and its possible
consequences are so important, the research will keep continuing.
In a recent study it was found that exposing mice to
a daily dose of ultraviolet light boosted the blood levels of beta-endorphins.
Beta-endorphins
are substances created by the pituitary gland and function specifically as
neurotransmitters between nerve cells. Beta-endorphins have drug-like qualities
creating multiple effects. Response to pain is an example. In addition to
response to pain, beta-endorphins are released during periods of intense
excitement; capable of enhancing moods and fostering feelings of relaxation.
These are the “feel-good” hormones and act on the same pathways in the brain as
opiate drugs, like heroine and morphine.
For this particular
study, these hormones ultimately suggest that the UV exposure is rewarding to
the brain because the sunlight triggers the skin to synthesize vitamin D and
eventually the brain evolved to find the UV exposure rewarding. Developing a
dependence on tanning or more specifically UV light may seem in a way
ridiculous but the potential consequences can be devastating. As a person who
loves the beach and loves the sun and also used to love indoor tanning, I found
this article extremely interesting.Original Article
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