Biological mechanism of zagaromania

The existence of tanorexia has been proven on a mouse model

RemediumResearchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (Massachusetts General Hospital) have found an explanation for why people may form "tanorexia" (tanorexia), and why many people, even knowing about the possible risks, continue to intensively sunbathe.

Scientists have found that mice repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet light (UV) produce beta-endorphin. This compound belongs to opioids and is a natural painkiller, and also plays a role in the formation of drug addiction.

The endorphin produced under the action of UV was enough to lower the pain threshold in mice and change their behavior. Usually mice prefer darkness, but mice exposed to UV were looking for bright spaces. After using naloxone, which blocks the effect of opioids, mice showed withdrawal symptoms: trembling of limbs, chattering of teeth, etc. If we assume that these results are also true for humans, it becomes clear why people with tanorexia continue to seek sunlight, sometimes even despite the diagnosis of skin cancer.

The head of the study, oncologist David Fisher, noted that the detected effect of beta-endorphin is not as pronounced as, for example, when morphine is exposed to mice. However, if the effect of UV on people is similar, it should be borne in mind that exposure to sunlight covers the entire human community and is more significant than the possible influence of drugs.

For many years, the question has been open: what motivates many people to an obsessive desire to sunbathe. Previously, there was information that UV exposure increases blood flow to the pleasure centers in the brain. However, there was no deep understanding of the formation of, in fact, dependent behavior.

Experts note that extensive information support is needed to explain the risks and negative consequences for the skin condition due to excessive UV exposure. Now we should pay special attention to the mechanisms of development of behavioral changes, since social pressure is very significant. Many young people do not so much think about their health as worry about their appearance and success.

Article by Fell et al. Skin b-Endorphin Mediates Addiction to UV Ligh is published in the journal Cell.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru26.06.2014