Tattoo Addiction: Myth or Reality?
All tattooed people say that we are addicted to tattoos and that once you start, you can’t stop. But how true is this?
At our tattoo and piercing studio in central Madrid, 222 Tattoo Madrid, we know that those who come once usually come back. However, is there real science behind this fact, or is it just a myth?
Tattoo Addiction: Myth or Reality?
The reasons why someone decides to get tattooed are as varied as the number of people in the world. However, two very common reasons are immortalizing moments and highlighting one’s identity.
Tattoos are a form of artistic and cultural expression that has existed for many years in human history. For some communities, they are symbols of beliefs, identity, and life experiences.
When it comes to personality traits, those who choose to decorate their skin do not share common features beyond the desire to be unique and original. Moreover, the decision to get a tattoo is just as meaningful whether for aesthetic reasons or for important life experiences.
In some cases, tattoos serve a therapeutic role. For example, they can cover scars or help restore body image and self-esteem after a mastectomy.
So, what happens in our brain when we get a tattoo?
Studies have found a link between tattoos and certain substances released by the brain.
Although there may be pain, the process of getting a tattoo releases endorphins similar to those triggered by drugs.
An addiction means “consuming” something—tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc.—and not being able to stop. This happens because of the release of endorphins, chemicals produced by the brain that generate pleasure.
It’s natural to want to feel that pleasure again, right? That’s why, once we get our first tattoo, we want to continue.
Of course, taste and the desire to wear something permanent on the skin also play a role.
This compulsion is called stigmatophilia, a kind of attraction or addiction we feel toward tattooing or piercing ourselves.
So, is it really an addiction?
The truth is, no. Although the brain’s effect may resemble that of a drug, in practice it is not the same.
Addiction would require doing it every day, and that doesn’t happen. What occurs instead is an endorphin release, a burst of pleasure, but not a true addiction.
Therefore, although the nucleus accumbens in our brain—responsible for the reward circuit—releases a lot of dopamine when we get a tattoo, creating a feeling of pleasure and reinforcing the behavior, tattoo addiction is, technically, a myth.