Blog post #2: Tattoo Addiction

I like tattoos. I still remember the first time I ever saw one, and I was just amazed because it was a piece of art in a person's body. After that, I just wanted to get a tattoo so badly. I was younger back then, so it was like impossible for me to get one done since I looked very young. But as the years pass by, my desire to get a tattoo grew even more. I think that if I will get a tattoo it will never be just one, and I also think that I may get addicted to it. But the real question is, can people get addicted to tattoos?

In a relation to the topic, I found an article entitled "Can I Really Get Addicted to Tattoos?" by Mary McMahon from the site www.wisegeek.org. 

People who get their first tattoos gets teased by their friends saying that they are gonna be addicted  because it's hard to stop with just one. However, addiction is extremely complicated, and while people may receive tattoos compulsively, it rarely crosses the line into truly addictive behavior.                                                                                                                                                                  Addiction is hard to define, and the language used to describe addiction has shifted in response to more information about the way the brain works. As a rule on addiction, it is something that a person relies on, physically or psychologically and some

times both.

When someone becomes addicted, his or her behavior becomes harmful in pursuit of the experience or chemical required to satisfy physical or emotional needs.

The process of tattooing is intense, emotionally and physically. It causes the body to release high levels of endorphin to deal with the pain. The same endorphins are released during forceful physical exercise and other periods of physical stress. In fact, many people feel good when running thanks to the  endorphin release.

Someone is considered addicted to tattoos if he or she becomes physically or emotionally dependent on the process. Some people may become attached to the rush of endorphin during the inking process. Also, if someone chooses to get a new one rather than coping with a situation, or pays for a tattoo before securing the rent, he or she may be addicted.

"Becoming truly addicted to tattoos is, in all probability, extremely rare. People with multiple tattoos can cite a variety of reasons for wanting several pieces of artwork on their body," says Mary McMahon.

The only thing that I want to say is that we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. 

In addition to the topic, I came across this article entitled "Addiction to Tattoos and the Pain" by Tara Toxicity from the site www.taratoxicty.hubpages.com.

Tattoos are obviously painful. To have them means piercing your skin thousands of times per minute with a needle. When asked 10 people if they found tattoos hurtful, all of them said yes. When asked again if they would get another one, 8 answered yes. Meaning, 8 of 10 are willing to go through that pain over and over again.

There are different reasons why people go back to tattoo shops and get inked. It could be a cross between adrenaline rush from getting it done and the beauty of the finished product that is making you want more. It is also said that the pain experienced during the inking process send the brain signals of pleasure that makes you want to go back once more.

Most of the times, during the inking process, the pain increases more and more. There are burning and tickling sensations that some people like, while others try to endure. After the tattoo is done, you'll be planning on the next one to get. It's something difficult to explain. Tattoos just have meanings to people and each one has a long story behind them. If tattoos weren't so expensive, a lot more people would be addicted to it.

"There is no right or wrong answer for why tattoos are so addicting. No real scientific proof or meaning. And they are not addicting for all people, Some regret their tattoos, some don't want to go through the pain again, and then there are the rest of us, who can not wait to go through the pain again.", says Tara Toxicity.

Being a tattoo addict is not that big of a deal compared to other bad addictions. I see it as a way of expressing who you truly are. It is a permanent art in your body that has a story to tell, so I don't think getting lots of them is bad at all.