Teenagers' latest addiction – Tanorexia

More than 25 percent students of a large university are addicted to tanning, a new study has found. All the students having symptoms of tanning dependence also suffer symptoms similar to alcohol and drug-addicted individuals.
The study by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center also found those with a tanning dependence tend to be more likely to be thin and smoke cigarettes than others.
For the study, the researchers set out to understand what proportion of college students report problems with tanning dependence and whether there are shared behaviours among those considered to be tanning dependent and those with other forms of addiction.
"Adolescents and young adults tend to put themselves at risk for later skin cancer by exposing themselves to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, so by understanding some possible reasons why, we hope to develop innovative interventions to help prevent these risky behaviors," explained an associate member at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Carolyn Heckman, Ph.D.
They recruited 400 students and other volunteers at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia during the spring semester of 2006. Participants took part in an online survey utilizing items adapted from questionnaires used to measure traditional substance abuse and dependence.
The measures assess tolerance to tanning (the need to tan increasingly frequently), withdrawal from tanning (discomfort when not having tanned recently), and difficulty controlling the behaviour despite awareness of its negative impact such as freckles, wrinkles, pre-cancerous lesions, etc.
The survey included questions such as "Do you think you need to spend more and more time in the sun to maintain your perfect tan?” "Do you continue tanning so your tan will not fade?" and "Does this your belief that tanning can cause skin cancer keep you from spending time in the sun or going to tanning beds?".
Participants were queried about their level of intentional and incidental sun exposure, tanning booth use, and chemical sunless tanner use.
The survey also asked about health-related behaviors such as body mass index, smoking, and exercise."The media and lay public may know tanning dependence as ''tanorexia,'' alluding to similarities to both substance addictions and body image disorders like anorexia.
There is some evidence that UV tanning dependence may have biological underpinnings like other addictions such as the production of endorphins as in the ''runner''s high," said Heckman.
Heckman added: "We were surprised to find that 27 percent of those we surveyed were classified as tanning dependent. The finding that almost 40 percent of those surveyed had used tanning booths and that the mean age when tanning booths were first used was 17 is also alarming.
"It was revealed that sun tanning was more closely related to tanning dependence than indoor tanning, though use of indoor tanning during warm weather also signalled tanning dependence.Finally, the researchers said that those addicted to tanning were more likely to be thin and smoke cigarettes than others, suggesting meaningful avenues for further research into possible links among risky behaviours

Sex!! what the women want??

The hottest question so far....??

Women want to find true love! Lusty women, passionate women, one-man women, sigh! Women want the same thing -- they want fairytale. They want to feel like Cinderella. Love still makes the world go round. Model Amanpreet Wahi says, “One thing, that I want the most is a person who loves me unconditionally. Believe me, if you get that one person, your life is perfect. I know many people who want money but what’s life without that someone special who loves you. My life is beautiful because of my boyfriend Raghav. A lot of people envy me for that.” Agrees actor Mona Singh, “I want everything but if I am asked to choose, it would be love.” Women want to be a tigeress at work! When you see a woman pitching fresh ideas in every meeting and also cancelling dinner dates with her partner or friends for attending an official gathering, she’s a woman who chooses career, hands down. Sarah Jane Dias, model says, “For me, work is my passion. This definitely doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t love to have that special someone but being good at work gives me a high.” Sanya Kapoor, a college student says, “If you have a good career, you get good money with which you can shop, socialise, have nice people around and also get a successful man as your partner.” Women still want a good marriage! We’re still traditional. You got it right. We want to be wooed, and then finally get married happily. At least, that’s what a majority of the women dream about. Is it easy? TV actor Shilpa Saklani says, “For me, there’s nothing more important than a good marriage. Making my married life work is an ambition.” Women want good friends We all need a shoulder to cry on. The TV soap Friends has given us great lessons in love and frienships. When we’re down, the ‘dial-a-friend’ therapy works wonders. Every woman needs friends. Why isn’t Sex and the City all about great friendships. “If you have good friends around you, nothing can bother you. They guard you like pillars all the time,” says HR consultant Deepti Kalra. Isn’t that what friends are for! Women want to be high maintainence girls Show me the money, honey! Yes, that’s what some women love to sing. Gucci bags, Chanel glasses, solitaires, high heels, Armani clothes and a penthouse. Aaah! Now, that’s what women dream of. It’s not only a happy distraction but a reality. “I would like to embark on a shopping spree every now and then, without bothering about my dipping bank balance. This will make me the object of envy for every other woman. Money can buy anything - even a nice guy,” says team leader Smita Kullu. Women want good sex! We’ve glamourised sex too much! While men are bragging about the amazing sex they are enjoying, women are left asking for more. Women as you know, don’t need much time to rev up when it comes to sex. Bad sex is a dampener! So, we were not surprised when 70% women voted for good sex. Actor Sherlyn Chopra says, “Sex is very important for me. There’s no greater pleasure than a good sex session. I even use sex toys as I think no man can satisfy me completely.” Women want to be intellectuals! Actor Tisca Chopra says, “For me, time is the most desirable thing in this world. There are so many places to visit, so many people to meet. I always feel that if I am not living 60 seconds of a minute, I am not doing justice to my life.”

So take it easy...........!!

Is it good to be loud??

If you’ve watched Memoirs of a Geisha , you’d know that Japan is made of paper! Not all of it. People are still made of blood, gore and all that, but every other wall, door or screen you see in the movie are paper! It seemed like a really cool idea, where in one shot, the director cleverly shows a silhouette of what’s cooking behind closed doors. But I’ll tell you where it all became a terrible idea for sure – I could HEAR them! Oh, the horror! On the way back home, I got thinking. Why did the noisy Japanese people in the movie freak me out? It’s nothing to do with them being Japanese! Some of my favourite people are Japanese (Honda Aibo, Hello Kitty, etc.). So does it have anything to do with the movie being noisy? No, that’s not true... I prayed. So what, then? As I walked to my woman (I say this in the most non-sexist way imaginable!), I decided to be more observant in my intimate moments. So here we are in the throes of passion... Back to the whole ‘noise’ thing, I concluded after extensive research over a period of months that we are a noisy couple, and though the less coherent one of the lot, I do contribute my fair share. And most importantly – I like her being vocal! So, why the earlier discomfort? To study this phenomenon, I decided to embark upon a study using the scientific method of injecting the topic into conversations with guys everywhere (The data yielded was best when the pints downed were in double-digits). Here’s the no-surprise result – all of them (as in us, fellow-manly men) agree that nothing compares to ‘YES’ many times over, though there were some who admitted to shhhhing their loved ones in life’s finer moments. Further research was conducted to determine the latter brigade of men. And the reason was simple really. Neighbours! Not just when you’re the noise, but also when you’re the neighbour, there’s trouble both ways. If you’re the noise, and the neighbours can hear you – you risk offending them for a number of reasons (they may not be getting any, they may envy your stamina, they might want to hear and not just watch the TV, you might be upsetting their pets or children etc.), and if you are the neighbour, you might be offended for the same reasons! So, here are the final results: We love it when you love it, so tell us, as loud as you want. Sometimes when we shhh you, just tell us you want the neighbours to know that we are studs! There are some among us who truly may not like getting it loud and the silver bullet for that is headphone! Not for you, for him. Tell him, it turns you on, and he won’t ever take ‘em off

Can cycling improve your sexlife?

Results of the study may be potentially useful for the five million recreational cyclists to alleviate perineal discomfort and maintain sexual health. Ninety bicycling policemen from five metropolitan regions in the US using traditional seats were evaluated prior to changing them and again six months after the switchover to noseless seats. Use of noseless seats resulted in a reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region. There was a significant improvement in penile tactile sensation. The percentage of policemen who indicated they had not experienced genital numbness while cycling for the preceding six months rose from 27 percent to 82, using no-nose seats. Their use also resulted in significant increases in erectile function as assessed by the initial evaluation. But there were no significant changes noted in Rigiscan measures, a method used to record penile rigidity while the subject sleeps. With few exceptions, bicycle policemen were able to effectively use no-nose seats and 97 percent of men completing the study continued to use the no-nose saddle afterward. Steven Schrader of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati, co-author of the study, stated: "No-nose saddles are a useful intervention for bicycling policemen alleviating pressure to the groin and improving penis health.Different seat designs may require some re-learning of 'how to ride a bicycle', but the health benefits of having unrestricted vascular flow to and from the penis and less penile numbness is self-evident." Irwin Goldstein, director, Sexual Medicine, Alvarado Hospital, San Diego, wrote in an editorial that "for the first time, we have a prospective study of healthy policemen. Not only did their sensation improve, their erectile function also improved. "Changing saddles changed physiology. This is a landmark study for our field that is important for future riders, and modification of lifestyle showing improvement without any active treatment."

Sex and Our Food

As we know that face is the index of mind, in the same way, we can say that food is the stimulant of sex.

From delicious delicacies to entice the lover to fooling around with juicy succulent fruits during the act of love, food can play an important role in spicing up your sex life. In ancient times certain food items were thought to have the power of improving the sexual life of an individual, increase the sexual drive and even cure problems of fertility and sexual dysfunction. These food items were identified as aphrodisiac food, i.e. foods that have the power to boost the libido and ensure that one had a good time. The word Aphrodisiac which comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, means any form of stimulation that can lead to sexual arousal. . Though it may surprise many to hear that food can act as aphrodisiacs, this extract from the 'Encyclopedia Britannica' should corroborate it, "...the psycho physiological reaction that a well-prepared meal can have upon the human organism. The combination of various sensuous reactions - the visual satisfaction of the sight of appetizing food, the olfactory stimulation of their pleasing smells and the tactile gratification afforded the oral mechanism by rich, savory dishes - tend to bring on a state of general euphoria conducive to sexual expression." Food items that by nature represented seed or semen such as bulbs and eggs were considered to have inherent sexual powers. Some other kind of food items were considered stimulating because of their physical resemblance to the genitalia. This ancient belief still carries much weight in these modern times, where the power of food in sex has not been underestimated. However, when one thinks of food and sex one naturally associates it with food items that carry a feeling of excitement, that are exotic and refreshing. Juicy red strawberries, freshly whipped cream, thick dark chocolate or oysters and caviar are the images that immediately jump into the mind. But not once would one imagine that the most common, boring everyday food items would have any power to excite us leave alone create any sexual thrill. But surprises of all surprises you don't have to go hunting for some exotic and expensive fruits or spices to get your aphrodisiacs. Just check your vegetable basket at home and you'll find all your ingredients for erotic stimulation.

Why no to sex

As we see that most women blame themselves when their partner loses interest in sex. They feel that that their man doesn’t fancy them anymore. But the real culprit is someone, or something else altogether... The number of times he says ‘no’ only leads you to think that he’s found someone else. But that is often not the case. Usually, there is something going on ‘upstairs’ that’s freezing activities ‘downstairs’. Your job is to find out what that something is, and work together to sort it out. If your man denies you sex, it is not uncommon to be left worrying about whether he is having an affair or wants to end the relationship. The truth is that although you may experience these feelings and thoughts, it’s unlikely that his loss of desire, or ability to maintain an erection, is caused by a loss of interest in you, your looks or your relationship. Most men suffer from other sexual problems when they are stressed out, tired or under pressure to perform in some way. In fact, the problem is more likely to originate from a demanding boss or a heavy workload, than from you... Tiredness and overindulgence If your partner has been working hard and trying to meet deadlines, the tiredness and worry can cause problems in focusing on lovemaking. Other causes of temporary erection loss can be overindulgence in alcohol, or a heavy meal. When this happens, stimulation during love play will not cause or sustain the act. At this stage, it is crucial to comfort him and avoid making accusations about his loss of interest in you, or imply an affair. This will only increase the pressure on him and make things worse. Sometimes, just resting for sometime will solve the problem. Discussing feelings It is also important to explain your feelings about what has happened and to ask for his help in coping with the emotions you may be experiencing. Explain that you are worried – it may be connected to your relationship and how he feels about you, and encourage him to open up about what’s going on with him too. Start by saying something like ‘I know this probably sounds silly but... ’ continuing with your own concerns about his loss of desire. Encourage him to do the same with you, as he is just as likely to be as concerned as you are, if not more so. In this way, you can act as a team and solve the problem together , rather than both avoiding the issue through fear of probably losing each other

For women also, Life rocks at 40 !

The findings surely challenge the preconceived notions of society towards women in their 40s and 50s. These so-called ‘Gen H’ (Generation Happy) females seem to be independent, experimental and comfortable in their own skin. Age is just a number “I think Indian women have managed to unshackle the stereotype. Apart from the career front, more and more women are now asserting their right to live life on their terms. Their lifestyle is reflecting a trend where they are spending on themselves, travelling, and not just saving up for their families. I absolutely agree with this change....subtle as it may be in the middle class as yet,” says Mini Mathur, TV personality, when probed about the kind of life forty plus women look forward to. “I love seeing women in their 40s and 50s living it up. Finally they are giving themselves the attention they have always deserved. A woman’s life is tough, and largely unappreciated. It’s only in their 40s that they realise that they need to and CAN strike out and focus on themselves,” she adds. Agrees actress Puja Bedi, “Universally, it has been seen that women don't stop "living life" just because they get married, have kids, or grow older. It's been an Indian thing. However, in just one lifetime, with the economy opening up, women liberation kicking in, we can see the average Indian woman enjoy her financial freedom, be in control of her life and pursue pleasure. The well-heeled, svelte 40-year-old today is a far cry from the image most women had just a decade ago at the same age.” Aasha Singhal, marketing head of a famous beverage firm, feels the same, “I myself just hit the milestone (fifty) earlier this year but I must say that just like a bottle of fine wine, I'm only getting better with age. As far as I'm concerned, I am taking fifty as a stand from where life really begins! Besides I have company...Madonna, Sharon Stone, Rekha...Can you ever imagine these sexy women retiring? The truth is - you're only as old as you feel.”

Sex and love in the city!

Amazing views!??Britons find gardens great and by lanes titillating, they love having sex anywhere but on the bed! For Australians, nothing can beat their coupe. Lack of space keeps them dangerously close while the anytime-anywhere seclusion makes their car an ideal haunt for a quickie! If Brits and Aussies hunt out for places, the bold Greek Gods who have sex on their mind 24 X 7 can have it just anywhere. And lovers back in India? Are they ready to go beyond the four walls? We explore... We asked a few people about their ideal place for having a romp and the answers, well, would have made Vatsyayan proud! “In a bath tub filled with red wine and rose petals as it will be innovative and erotic”, say Rajshree Makhija, a PR professional based in Mumbai, while Samaira Kundra, 25 year old newly married professional, who has not yet explored any territories apart from her bedroom wants to take the fire on to the “kitchen shelf or the couch.” As we continued on our quest, some of the hottest love dens included the staircase, the dining table (decently spacious), the sofa, and even the balcony. For Rishi Sadana, 25 and Mohit Malhotra, 28, Software Engineers based in Delhi, nothing can beat the roof top and the loo of an aircraft. If that was not enough, 26 years old Meenakshi Mathur, a content developer from Delhi wants to try in a boat, provided it’s covered and Barsha Gosain, a teacher, would love some action on the beach to “feel cool breeze and the moonlight acting as the perfect foil for a romantic passionate night.” Great! For some individuals, solid ground was just not enough, the deep waters of the ocean or vast, open space are more titillating. “I want to do it inside the ocean” says 23 year old Paromita Bardhan, a doctor by profession while Sanjay Nagar, a businessman from Jaipur doesn’t mind going a little overboard and get going in space! It’s not just about silent yearnings and meek desires any more, for most young couples have already been there and done that. Ask Cholena Deb, assistant editor, EFY group, who has tried almost every nook and corner of her home. “We have not left even a single place in our home unexplored. From washroom to dining room to living room, everywhere... I guess it can start from kitchen too. Couch was the best!” And Bikash Bose, an architect, finds the big rocking chair in their drawing room as the best place after the bed. Yes, nothing like a spot of adventure to keep the fires going. “It’s always exciting to try out new places as I think doing the same thing in the same place makes things monotonous and even the slightest of change in the place surely builds up the excitement levels,” says Samaira. Adds Himanshu Gupta, advertising professional, wants to “break free from the daily routine of hitting the bed for he believes change is always meant for the good.” Even experts are all for experimentation to keep the magic alive. According to psychologist Dr. Sanjay Chugh, “The more harmonious and comfortable the place, more conducive it is for sexual union. Having said that, I would suggest that the couples should not try out places that are physically uncomfortable or have some negative memories attached to it. Make sure the mood is set, with perfect music, lighting as per your mood and some mild fragrance. The most important thing is to go ahead with the one you love, for he/she can turn any place into heaven.” You said it, doc!

Sex..... IS it love or anyother thing else??

Love is defined in many ways.

Love and lust are inextricably intertwined. Lust is ground zero for hormones — it's nature's way of bringing the opposite sexes together. In fact, without lust, it's doubtful that love between a man and a woman would have a chance to prosper at all; which is also the reason why sexless marriages fail. However, love is the most ennobling of human emotions — transcendental, exalted and capable of engendering emotional states. But how can you tell the difference between lust and love? Read on to find out.
It's love if: • You have great chemistry You get lost in your conversations and the hours pass like minutes. You're more than willing to listen to each other and sex rocks too. The chemistry between you is remarkable. • You like the way they look Even if you catch them on a bad hair day and in the worst of their clothes, they still look gorgeous to you. • You want to spend some time together All you want to do is to be with them, while you're having sex and even when you're not. • You see a future together You experience the strange feeling that your life would be totally empty without that person. You tell your friends and family that he/ she may be 'the one', and you're even thinking about marriage. • You introduce them to your friends and family It becomes very important to you that your parents like him/ her, and that he/ she gets along with everyone close to you. • You include them in all your plans Whether you're going out with your friends or taking your dog for a walk, you want them there with you. And if they're not there, you can't get them off your mind and sneak off to give them a quick "I miss you" phone call. • You are more romantic All of a sudden you find yourself listening to cheesy romantic songs and thinking of him/ her. You send them flowers and set up romantic evenings candlelit dinners.
It's lust if: • You're totally focussed on looks and body Even before you know your crush's name, you're already fantasising about them and drooling over their looks. • You don't care about anything they have to say It wouldn't make a difference to you if you never had a conversation with your crush. Furthermore, you don't bother to return calls promptly and you can easily go for days without talking to this person. You don't mind checking out other hotties, or looking at other people, like friends, to satisfy your emotional needs. • You spend most of your together time in 'action' You make excuses not to spend time, unless it's in the confines of a room. And if they ask you for a favour, you say you're too busy. But if you have to be together and not have sex, you find them boring and look forward to doing something else like going shopping by yourself. • You leave after sex After having sex, you look for the easiest way to leave. No cuddling, no breakfast the next morning, just "I gotta go".
Which is very common in our daily life as we see.

Now Personal Sex Machine?

Believe it or not, but itz true!
From the smooth, silent glide of the Monkey Rocker Tango to Le Chair's ability to put two people into a dozen compromising positions, the new products and prototypes unveiled at this week's Adult Novelty Expo straddle the line between toy and machine. The evolutionary equipments have been recently unveiled by engineers at Adult Novelty Expo, which help improve people's dull sex life, reports Wired News. Monkey Rocker, is an amazing cybersex accessory, a silent machine that responds to your body motions without any complicated control panels or need for batteries. It is handmade from powder-coated, 100 percent recovered and recycled wood fibre -- PermaCore MDF, and can handle up to 400 pounds. The engineers also introduced robotic sex chair, Le Chair developed California Exotic Novelties (NSFW), based on love furniture already available in Japan. Le Chair comes with motors in the seat and back supports that can pound, vibrate or stroke. One seat adjusts up and down to place lovers in optimal positions for various intimate activities, and both sides provide arm and leg support as well. A representative confided that the company plans to work with programs to help get Le Chairs to war veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan at low or no cost. Then came up Menage-A-Tool, which is an adjustable, lightweight rod with two attachments for various dildos, which can penetrate two people at a time and still have one hand free for someone else. The new Monkey Rocker Tango brings the cyber sex experience offline when an individual would meet his/her online lover in person, they can both ride it at the same time as long as their combined weight is less than 450 pounds. The Tango also works for folks who skip the whole cybersex thing and just have a regular ol'' fashioned, in-person relationship. Power Bullet doubles as a muscle massager and hides its complex machinery inside a velvety, matte-black cylinder. Straddling it on a pillow is going to be a lot more effective at relaxing muscles and relieving stress. Its motors provide a deep throbbing touch and its single button offers a simplicity much appreciated by tired tech workers with wrist pain. Imatah is a custom-made dildo mounted on a plate connected to a mechanism that can pump straight in and out or move in an oval pattern. It weighs about 5 pounds and comes with a fabric sleeve that hides its legs and prevents the machine from falling off the bed when in use.
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You are Sexy If your Voice is Sexy

When it comes to determining whether a person is sexy or not, most people rely upon their sight. Now, according to a new study, a person’s voice is more than enough to pass a judgment on their attractiveness. The study, led by Susan Hughes, an evolutionary psychologist from Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, suggests that people with voices deemed sexy and attractive tend to have greater body symmetry upon close inspection. "The sound of a person''s voice reveals a considerable amount of biological information," LiveScience quoted Hughes, as saying. "It can reflect the mate value of a person,” she added. The study cautions that an attractive voice does not necessarily indicate that this person has an attractive face. A symmetric body is genetically sound, scientists say, and in evolutionary terms, in the wild, it can be an important factor when selecting a mate. However, sometimes changes during prenatal development can slightly skew this balance. For instance, the length ratio between index and ring fingers, known as the digit ratio, is fixed by the first trimester, a time that corresponds with vocal cord and larynx development. If the hormone surge that affects vocal development also affects finger growth, there should be a connection between an individual''s voice and digit ratio. Hughes could not demonstrate a connection between voice attractiveness and digit ratio in her previous work, possibly due to vocal changes that occur during puberty. So in the new study, about 100 individuals listened to previously recorded voices and independently rated them on nine traits important during mate selection: approachability, dominance, healthiness, honesty, intelligence, likelihood to get dates, maturity, sexiness and warmth. Study participants generally agreed on what made a voice attractive. But when Hughes used a spectrogram to analyze these voice ratings according to different acoustic properties such as pitch, intensity, jitter and shimmer, she could not find a common feature that made these voices seem attractive. This indicates our perceptual system may be more advanced than expected, Hughes said. The study is published in the June 2008 edition of the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior.