At the end of the six-week study, researchers administered
opioid blocking drugs and noted that the mice started to experience
tremors, shaking and other common withdrawal symptoms. This information
plays a pivotal role in raising public awareness about how important it
is to limit sun exposure in order to reduce the risk of developing skin
cancer. More than three-quarters of skin cancer types are caused by
exposure to UV rays, be it the natural ultraviolet rays or the
artificial ones from tanning beds.
As Dr. David Fisher, one of the researchers involved in the
study, claims, we seem to be genetically programmed to become
‘addicted’ to UV radiation, which can be very dangerous, and this might
be connected to the synthesis of Vitamin D. Sunlight represents the main
natural source of vitamin D for our bodies, but this study indicates it
would be better to rely on alternative sources of this vitamin that do
not pose any added risk for cancer.
This addictive character of sun exposure is rather concerning given
the fact that melanoma rates have been increasing steadily over the past
30 years, and it is believed that approximately 10,000 people will die
from melanoma in 2014. Whilst it is necessary to take the very tender
rays of the early morning sunlight on the body to gain a sufficient
amount of vitamin D, there are cons too. This is precisely why educating
people on the side effects of excessive sun exposure is of paramount
importance.
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