Deprived Tanners Exhibit Withdrawal Symptoms

Results of a new study suggest that frequent tanning may be addictive. The researchers had previously studied the positive effects of ultraviolet light on mood and found that tanners prefer UV-emitting beds, possibly due to endorphins absorbed by the skin. The current study looked at the effect of opioid-blocking medication on 8 frequent tanners who tan 8-15 times/month and 8 infrequent tanners who tan no more than 12 times/year. They found that when naltrexone was administered, four of the frequent tanners reported withdrawal-like symptoms consistent with mild opiate withdrawal. Due to the small size of the study, more research is needed to support these results. This study was published in the April Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.eblue.org/article/PIIS0190962205046013/abstract