Originally published August 22 2005
Sunlight critics claim people can now be addicted to sunlight
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Addiction to endorphins released by UV light could lead to dangerous amounts of sun exposure, say sunlight critics.
Previous studies have shown ultraviolet light stimulates the release of these substances in the bloodstream, producing a natural high.
Sun worshippers could become hooked on the emotional boost they provide.
For many teenage girls, the quest for a tan to match that of their favourite celebrity has turned into an unhealthy obsession, termed "tanorexia" by British doctors.
The American researchers asked nearly 150 beachgoers questions adapted from papers used to diagnose alcoholism and drug addiction.
From their answers, up to half could be classed as being "ultraviolet light tanning dependent" - or addicted to tanning, according to research published today in the medical journal Archives of Dermatology.
Lead researcher Professor Richard Wagner, of the University of Texas, said: "Dermatologists often talk about people who seem 'addicted to the sun' - people who know it's not good for them to be bronzed but don't seem to be able to stop tanning.
"By slightly modifying tools used to identify substance-related disorders, we can actually see an objective similarity between regular tanning and these disorders."
Cancer Research UK said the US study "provided some interesting insight into why people continue to sunbathe, despite knowing the risks".
Numerous campaigns about the dangers of sunbathing have failed to halt the rise of skin cancer, with more than 6,000 new cases of malignant melanoma - the most deadly type of the cancer - diagnosed in the UK each year.
In May, the Daily Mail told the story of 14-year-old Hayley Barlow, who was warned she could die of the disease if she did not break her habit of visiting tanning salons five times a week.
Miss Murray, of Denton, Greater Manchester, used sunbeds two or three times a week.
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