New Study: Tanning Beds Are Just as Bad for Your Brain as Your Body

With summer coming to a close, people will soon be heading indoors to keep their color—even though it’s now proven that tanning beds are terrible for you.

Why do some folks continue to climb into those tiny pods, don plastic goggles, and willingly expose themselves to harmful UV rays? According to a new study, it might be because they have a chemical love for it.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas found that the brain activity that is triggered by the feeling of artificial sun is similar to what goes on in the brains of alcoholics and drug addicts when they get their fix.

It’s the process of reward-and-reinforcement, explains Dr. Bryon Adinoff, professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study. “Using tanning beds has rewarding effects in the brain so people may feel compelled to persist in the behavior even though it's bad for them."

I’m sure by now you all know this, but the point is always worth repeating: the only truly “safe” kind of tan is sunless.

Luckily, there are a ton of products out there to give your skin a sun-kissed look all year long.

I prefer using self-tanning moisturizers, because the color they give is gradual and it looks really natural as a result.

Also, you rarely suffer streaks, orange patches or the accidental odd splotch. Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer is great for body, and I swear by powdered bronzers such as this one from Clinique, for my face. Both take very little time to apply each day, and they might just save your life.

Might sound extreme, but melanoma is no joke. Just ask Cathy Jamison.