Might help explain UV seeking behaviors?

[DocZ]

Interesting article discussing production of beta-endorphins through UV exposure. Could make basking a “pleasurable” experience that encourages the behavior?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4117380/pdf/nihms599207.pdf

this next article suggests that vitamin D deficiency exasperates opioid seeking behavior. So possibly an animal that is low on vitamin D may be more likely to seek out UV light to increase circulating endorphins

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8195487/pdf/abe4577.pdf

Interesting theories on basking behavior in reptiles

 

[kinyonga]

Sounds almost like chameleons are "forced" to put themselves in the position of trying to produce vitamin D. Wonder if we are too?

 

[DocZ]

Sounds almost like chameleons are "forced" to put themselves in the position of trying to produce vitamin D. Wonder if we are too?

Maybe? It sounds like there may be a biological mechanism that rewards UV exposure, and low vitamin D levels make them more susceptible to it?
The authors of the second paper propose that there may be a feedback mechanism when vitamin D levels are sufficient

 

[kinyonga]

Maybe? It sounds like there may be a biological mechanism that rewards UV exposure, and low vitamin D levels make them more susceptible to it?
The authors of the second paper propose that there may be a feedback mechanism when vitamin D levels are sufficient

That's sort of what I meant by forced.