278. The psychology of tattoos

Summary

Podcast Summary: Episode 278 – The Psychology of Tattoos

Title: The Psychology of Tattoos
Host: Jemma Sbeg
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Podcast: The Psychology of Your 20s by iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

At the onset of Episode 278, host Gemma Sbeg provides a content warning to listeners about discussions related to child abuse, ensuring that those who might find the topic sensitive can make informed listening choices ([03:28] Gemma). This sets a considerate tone for the episode, emphasizing the depth and potential emotional weight of the topics to be discussed.

Exploring the Psychology Behind Tattoos

Choosing a Unique Topic

Gemma expresses her desire to delve into a topic that might seem less obvious in the realm of psychology: tattoos. She states, “[Gemma, 04:32] I wanted to do an episode that you might not think has anything to do with psychology,” highlighting the episode's intent to uncover the deeper psychological motivations behind tattooing.

Personal Reflections and Initial Curiosity

Both hosts, Gemma and Ryan, share personal anecdotes about their tattoos, pondering the reasons behind their choices. Gemma admits, “[Ryan, 05:13] I have never actually considered why I got them,” while Ryan echoes a similar sentiment, revealing his interest in understanding the permanent nature of tattoos and their emotional significance ([05:22] Ryan).

Historical Context of Tattoos

A Journey Through Time

Gemma and Ryan provide a comprehensive history of tattooing, debunking the misconception that tattoos originated in the 1800s. They reference the ancient mummy, Ötzi the Iceman, who lived around 6,000 years ago and was found adorned with tattoos ([10:31] Gemma). This segment underscores the longstanding human tradition of using tattoos for various cultural, religious, and personal expressions.

Stigmatization and Revival

They discuss how, approximately 300 years ago, Christian missionaries associated tattoos with criminality and deviance, leading to widespread stigma ([11:02] Gemma). This perception persisted, evident today in places like Japan where tattoos can restrict access to public baths ([11:43] Ryan). However, the Western revival of tattooing in the 1940s marked a shift towards broader acceptance, with estimates showing that 30-48% of individuals in countries like the USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia now have tattoos ([13:31] Ryan). Gemma encapsulates this evolution, noting, “[Gemma, 14:06] here's your little history lesson for the day.”

Motivations Behind Getting Tattoos

1. Personal Emotional Significance ([14:32] Gemma)

Representation of Identity and Experiences

A significant portion of individuals get tattoos to symbolize personal milestones, beliefs, or emotions. A South African study involving university students revealed that 25% of participants got tattoos to mark significant experiences or struggles ([15:31] Gemma). For instance, Ryan shares his "breakup tattoo," which represents his journey towards independence and self-reliance after a tough breakup at 18 ([17:14] Ryan).

Gemma emphasizes, “[Gemma, 16:06] tattoos can bring about a sense of permanence. They can really anchor us to a specific time and our identity and our feelings,” illustrating how tattoos serve as enduring reminders of pivotal life moments.

2. Artistic Expression and Aesthetic Appeal ([21:17] Ryan & Gemma)

Body as a Canvas

Beyond deep-seated meanings, many opt for tattoos purely for their aesthetic value. Gemma describes tattoos as an extension of one’s identity through decoration, allowing individuals to adorn their bodies with images they find beautiful or meaningful ([20:29] Ryan). She narrates the experience of a friend who gets random tattoos for personal enjoyment, highlighting tattoos as a form of spontaneous self-expression ([21:45] Gemma).

3. Group Identification and Cultural Pride ([19:05] Ryan & Gemma)

Belonging and Recognition

Tattoos often symbolize affiliation with specific groups or cultures. Whether it’s fandom symbols like Harry Potter tattoos or cultural markings like Maori "Tomoko" tattoos, these designs signify a sense of belonging and shared identity ([19:17] Ryan). This form of communication fosters connections among like-minded individuals, as Gemma explains, “[Gemma, 19:49] It’s a form of communication or recognition.”

4. Coping and Healing from Trauma ([29:08] Gemma & Ryan)

Empowerment and Control

Delving deeper, Gemma discusses research linking tattoos to coping mechanisms for those who have experienced childhood abuse and neglect. A German study found that tattoos and piercings are more prevalent among individuals who reported such traumas, with tattoos serving as a means of reclaiming control and empowering oneself ([30:42] Gemma).

Ryan adds, “[Ryan, 30:42] This is deeply psychological,” highlighting how tattoos can symbolize taking back control after enduring external pain and abuse. Gemma further elaborates on how tattoos help individuals feel better about their bodies and reduce appearance-based anxiety, citing a 2011 study that found individuals felt less anxious and more confident post-tattooing ([33:43] Ryan).

The Addictive Nature of Tattooing ([34:10] Gemma & Ryan)

Psychological and Physiological Factors

The hosts explore how the process of getting tattoos can become addictive. They explain that the anticipation and pain of tattooing trigger the release of adrenaline and endorphins, creating euphoric feelings associated with the act ([36:35] Ryan). This chemical response can lead individuals to seek repeated tattooing experiences, much like other addictive behaviors.

Gemma notes, “[Gemma, 36:39] Assistance can explain people who come back and come back. It looks like an addiction, but it’s more them chasing a specific feeling.” Ryan reinforces this by comparing the endorphin release to that of natural pain relievers, making the process reinforcing and potentially addictive ([37:59] Ryan).

Regret and Mitigation Strategies ([38:08] Ryan & Gemma)

Navigating Permanent Decisions

Regret is a common theme in tattoo discussions. Approximately 35% of individuals express regret due to impulsive decisions or lack of meaningful significance behind their tattoos ([41:20] Ryan). To minimize regret, Gemma and Ryan offer practical advice:

1. Careful Consideration: Think about the tattoo design for 3-6 months before committing. “[Gemma, 41:43] If you are thinking about getting something on your skin, print off that tattoo, put it somewhere you'd see it every day for several months.”

2. Start Small: Begin with less visible tattoos to gauge your comfort with the process and pain ([41:59] Gemma).

3. Avoid Impulsivity: Refrain from getting tattoos while intoxicated to ensure clear decision-making ([42:40] Gemma).

4. Wait Until Older: While not a strict rule, waiting until after 20 may reduce the likelihood of regretting a tattoo, as maturity can lead to more thoughtful choices ([43:06] Ryan).

5. Choose Quality: Invest in reputable tattoo artists to ensure satisfaction with the final result ([44:05] Ryan).

Ryan shares his personal regrets about specific tattoos but acknowledges their significance and the stories they represent, stating, “[Ryan, 38:58] I regret two of mine, my 22 and my one post breakup. But I still love them so I...”

Conclusion: Embracing Personal Choice

Gemma and Ryan conclude the episode by affirming the importance of personal agency in tattoo decisions. Gemma encourages listeners to prioritize what makes them happy and to use tattoos as a means of self-expression and healing ([45:35] Ryan). Ryan adds, “[Ryan, 45:46] What’s going to make you feel good. And what’s going to make you feel happy in the form and the vessel that you’re in.”

They emphasize that while it's essential to make informed and thoughtful decisions, individuals should not be overly concerned with external judgments or trends. Instead, they advocate for tattoos that hold personal significance and contribute positively to one’s sense of self ([46:10] Ryan).

Engaging the Audience

To foster community engagement, Gemma and Ryan invite listeners to share their tattoo stories and regrets, aiming to create a shared knowledge base that could help others make informed decisions about their own tattoos ([46:50] Ryan & Gemma). They conclude with a playful interaction involving emojis, prompting listeners to choose an emoji they'd like tattooed, thereby blending personal expression with listener participation ([46:32] Ryan).

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Key Quotes with Timestamps:

• Personal Significance:
  Ryan at [16:06]: “This is the idea that tattoos can bring about a sense of permanence. They can really anchor us to a specific time and our identity and our feelings.”

• Historical Insight:
  Gemma at [10:31]: “There’s also evidence of a very famous mummy. It’s called Otzi the Iceman. That individual is almost 6,000 years old. And when they found this mummified person, he had tattoos.”

• Empowerment through Tattoos:
  Gemma at [30:42]: “Body modification, in a sense, was actually a very empowering experience for these people.”

• Addiction Explanation:
  Ryan at [34:10]: “They can become addictive, because the process of getting them makes us feel some sort of way.”

• Regret Mitigation:
  Gemma at [41:43]: “Print off that tattoo, put it somewhere that you'd see it every single day to make sure you don't get sick of it.”

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Final Thoughts

Episode 278, "The Psychology of Tattoos," offers a nuanced exploration of why individuals in their 20s choose to get tattoos. Through historical context, personal anecdotes, and psychological research, Gemma and Ryan illuminate the multifaceted motivations behind tattooing—from personal identity and emotional healing to artistic expression and group affiliation. They balance the allure of tattoos with practical advice to mitigate potential regrets, ultimately empowering listeners to make informed and meaningful decisions about their body art.

Transcript

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[Gemma]

Before we get started, this episode of the podcast does contain references and discussions of child abuse. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please reflect on whether you are ready to listen to this episode.

[Ryan]

If you don't feel ready, it will still be here in a week, a month, a year, whenever.

[Gemma]

It's a better time to listen. Take care of yourselves and I'm sending you love and healing.

[Ryan]

Hello everybody.

[Gemma]

Welcome back to the show. Welcome back to the podcast. New listeners, old listeners, wherever you are in the world. It is so lovely, so great to have you here. Back for another episode as we of course break down the psychology of our 20s this week.

[Ryan]

When I sat down at my desk and I was deciding what to talk about this week, what did I want to discuss?

[Gemma]

I made the decision to do something a little bit fun, a little bit different. I wanted to do an episode that you might not think has anything to do with psychology.

[Ryan]

You know, I feel like we've done quite a few serious, emotional, very in depth, somewhat scientific episodes as of late, and I wanted to kind of do.

[Gemma]

Something a bit more fun. One topic that kept floating to the surface for me was tattoos. Why do we get them not just.

[Ryan]

In our 20s, but at any stage? How important are they to our identity?

[Gemma]

Which tattoos do we end up regretting?

[Ryan]

Which ones do we not end up regretting? Basically, I want to talk about the psychology of tattoos and that, my friends.

[Gemma]

Is what we are going to do today.

[Ryan]

I have been endlessly fascinated by this.

[Gemma]

Topic for some time. As someone with tattoos, I have never.

[Ryan]

Actually considered why I got them. Why was I called to literally get Something permanently put on my body after.

[Gemma]

When I had just turned 18, why.

[Ryan]

Did I decide on specific designs? Why did I decide on what to get?

[Gemma]

What was the motivation? And in thinking about my own intentions.

[Ryan]

With my tattoos, I uncovered so much.

[Gemma]

Research that I did not even know was out there. I also talked to some of my friends.

[Ryan]

I am so lucky to have some incredible friends in my life who are.

[Gemma]

Tattoo artists and who make a living off of permanent art on somebody else's body.

[Ryan]

Like there is no other type of art like it.

[Gemma]

And I spoke to them and I.

[Ryan]

Was like, can you tell me what you hear from people who are getting tattoos? Are you seeing a specific kind of person get a specific kind of tattoo? Do people ever come back and say they regret it? Like, tell me about the emotional experience you have with a client when you are putting something on their body. And it has just been so fascinating talking to people about what kind of.

[Gemma]

Feels like quite an innocuous subject. I also found this interesting piece of research saying that the majority of people who have tattoos got their first one in their 20s. Now, you may hear that and think that, Gemma, that makes sense, right? Depending on where you live, most people.

[Ryan]

Can'T get tattoos before they turn 18. And even then, you probably don't have.

[Gemma]

The money to get the tattoos that.

[Ryan]

You want until you're in your 20s. It feels like the time a lot of people are doing it, but it.

[Gemma]

Also comes down to the fact that this decade is when we are in.

[Ryan]

Peak identity formation season.

[Gemma]

We've had our teen years to really.

[Ryan]

Explore, but it's our 20s where we are really trying to find the shoe or the outfit or the Persona that fits.

[Gemma]

We are trying to find our space.

[Ryan]

We are really starting to feel grounded.

[Gemma]

In who we are.

[Ryan]

We're kind of exploring different facets of our identity. And sometimes that calls for expression.

[Gemma]

It calls for something permanent to represent.

[Ryan]

Who we are and what we're going through. That is where tattoos come in. And I think of tattoos kind of.

[Gemma]

As like a testimony to the age.

[Ryan]

You are when you get them.

[Gemma]

And maybe in 10, 20 years time.

[Ryan]

You'Ll look at it and think, what was I thinking?

[Gemma]

Like, what does this even mean? But maybe it's also, you know, an.

[Ryan]

Important rite of passage to some people.

[Gemma]

It brings a sense of certainty. All right, want to spoil the entire episode before we even get into it?

[Ryan]

But really what we are going to do today is just take a big bite into all the fascinating research to.

[Gemma]

Do with body modification, tattooing, even things.

[Ryan]

Like regret, as well as Do a.

[Gemma]

Brief kind of dive into some of.

[Ryan]

The history as well, because this topic.

[Gemma]

Has so many dimensions to it. Without further ado, my lovely listeners, let us get into the psychology of tattoos.

[Unknown]

Foreign.

[Gemma]

Let'S talk briefly about the history of tattoos because I feel like the change in attitudes that we've experienced just.

[Ryan]

In the last 50 years is really.

[Gemma]

Quite striking and worth investigating. Now, I always get in trouble when I talk about history on this podcast because there are some very smart people out there who know a lot more.

[Ryan]

About very specific topics than me and.

[Gemma]

Very graciously correct me when I'm wrong.

[Ryan]

But I really did a deep dive into this one. I used what I think is like the mother of all guides, the Smithsonian's Worldwide History of Tattoos, to really go in deep.

[Gemma]

So I hope that you are all prepared for a bit of a factual start to this episode. Some people will incorrectly assume or tell you that tattoos first emerged in the 1800s.

[Ryan]

That cannot be further from the truth.

[Gemma]

Humans have been marking their skin in ritualistic and important ways for literally thousands of years around the world across different cultures.

[Ryan]

Tattoos are really, really significant. I think about, you know, the Greeks, they used to use tattoos to declare love.

[Gemma]

Indigenous Polynesians used to use tattoos to tell personal stories. We see them in ancient Serbian nomads, in native South American. Tattoos have this real core place in the human story. How we express ourselves, how we signify.

[Ryan]

Status, religious beliefs, even as just purely a form of decoration. So I think what people generally used to believe is that it was the.

[Gemma]

Egyptians who were like these so called inventors of inking skin. And they used to use different kinds of pigments or ground up insects, and.

[Ryan]

They would insert the, you know, wet pigment into the skin using a piece.

[Gemma]

Of bronze or like a sharp stick. There's also evidence of a very famous mummy. It's called Otzi the Iceman. If you're a history buff, you'll know this mummy quite well. That individual is almost 6,000 years old. And when they found this mummified person, he had tattoos.

[Ryan]

Six thousand years ago, people were already adorning their skin. Now that is really the beginning of tattoos as we know it.

[Gemma]

Let's now go forward about, you know, 5,700 years, 300 years ago. During this time, specifically in Western cultures, something changed when it came to our attitudes towards tattoos. They used to be very culturally, maybe religiously significant. And then they started being considered a.

[Ryan]

Sign of being a criminal or a deviant.

[Gemma]

They're associated with gangs, with behaviors that.

[Ryan]

Society doesn't approve of.

[Gemma]

And as such, they're banned in some, in some spaces, actually.

[Ryan]

I remember visiting Japan last year and.

[Gemma]

Not being able to enter the onsens.

[Ryan]

Or the hot baths because I had tattoos.

[Gemma]

So it's still relevant in some cultures. But we can link a lot of.

[Ryan]

This stigma back to a specific group.

[Gemma]

Of Christian missionaries who did a really great job at convincing people back then.

[Ryan]

That tattoos would disfigure the sacred vessel.

[Gemma]

Given to us by God.

[Ryan]

And consequently, they were banned.

[Gemma]

They were banned in Christianity. And as Christianity became more widespread, that same belief was impressed upon different cultures.

[Ryan]

Some of whom did have a historical, I don't know, historical attachment to tattooing.

[Gemma]

Of course, we know that did not stop people from doing it, but it did bring about a stigma that if you got tattoos, you were obviously not a God fearing individual and therefore you were probably up to no good.

[Ryan]

This is how they really became associated with being, you know, a bit of.

[Gemma]

A rebel, and they became associated with criminality and counterculture. But around like, like the 1940s, specifically.

[Ryan]

In America, there was a revival of.

[Gemma]

Tattooing in Western cultures.

[Ryan]

And slowly more and more people knew someone with a tattoo.

[Gemma]

They knew a relative, they knew someone in the army. Then, you know, they kind of thought about getting one of their own.

[Ryan]

They have kids with tattoos. So nowadays there's some estimates that between 30 to 48% of people in the.

[Gemma]

Countries surveyed, so countries like Canada, America, Germany and Australia, those were the countries included in these studies.

[Ryan]

30 to 48% of people in those countries have tattoos.

[Gemma]

Now, if you're in your 20s, the.

[Ryan]

Likelihood that you have a tattoo is, is increased. It's around 38 to 52%. So that's showing that, like, over time, generationally, we have become a lot more.

[Gemma]

Accepting and we are a lot more.

[Ryan]

Normal about this idea. I remember before I got my first tattoo, I was still had this, like.

[Gemma]

Fear of not being able to find.

[Ryan]

A job, specifically, like, if it was visible. But nowadays, like, the stigma has definitely lessened.

[Gemma]

So there's your little history lesson for the day.

[Ryan]

I know this is a psychology podcast. I will not dwell on it for long, but I do think it's important.

[Gemma]

To cover because that attitudinal change does play into the psychology behind why we.

[Ryan]

May be drawn to get a tattoo.

[Gemma]

All right, let's talk about that question now. Why, why do we feel compelled to put something permanent on our skin?

[Ryan]

So when it comes down to it.

[Gemma]

When you're sitting in that tattoo chair, when you're waiting for the needle to go in, you are probably in that position because of one of four reasons. The first is that you're looking to represent something of personal emotional significance on your body. This is a way of telling your personal story and your personal beliefs and maybe reaffirming to yourself what you care about, what's important to you.

[Ryan]

Is it family? Is it religion?

[Gemma]

Is it a specific value system? One of the largest studies ever done on the psychology of tattoos was conducted in South Africa with university students between 19 and 35. Now, some of them had tattoos.

[Ryan]

Some of them were considering it. Some of them were just like, absolutely not at all.

[Gemma]

And the researchers said, explain your reasoning.

[Ryan]

And then they thematically grouped the responses.

[Gemma]

Now, amongst people who had a tattoo or wanted a tattoo, 25% of them.

[Ryan]

Said, the reason I would want to.

[Gemma]

Do it is because this thing has a personal meaning.

[Ryan]

It marks a significant experience or struggle for me. So some of the reasons given were, I got a tattoo to honor my.

[Gemma]

Mother, to honor my siblings, because it.

[Ryan]

Represents my life philosophy, because this really.

[Gemma]

Presents what I was going through at.

[Ryan]

A certain time in my life, and.

[Gemma]

I want to remember it.

[Ryan]

This idea is one I actually really want to grab onto for a second.

[Gemma]

And it's the idea that tattoos can bring about a sense of permanence. They can really anchor us to a specific time and our identity and our feelings and what we were going through in that moment. It's kind of like if I put this on my body, this experience will.

[Ryan]

Always be part of me. I won't forget.

[Gemma]

I won't forget that loved one.

[Ryan]

I won't forget my.

[Gemma]

How capable I was and how courageous.

[Ryan]

I was to get through an experience.

[Gemma]

I'll never forget that. This is how I see life.

[Ryan]

This is how I choose to live it.

[Gemma]

So if our body is just a vessel for our soul, you know, why.

[Ryan]

Not decorate it it in the manner.

[Gemma]

Of what is important to you?

[Ryan]

I find this reason, this reasoning, almost.

[Gemma]

Using your body like a journal, in some ways quite compelling.

[Ryan]

I have tattoos from specific periods in.

[Gemma]

My life, and when I think about.

[Ryan]

Them, I can exactly remember what I.

[Gemma]

Was going through that made me believe that this thing was important to get.

[Ryan]

One in particular, and I have admitted this to very, very few people, is a breakup tattoo. I went through this, like, breakup when I was 18, and it was really awful. And I don't know, it was just. It was shrouded in a lot of. I don't know, it was complex.

[Gemma]

I'll just say it was complex.

[Ryan]

And being my first, like, big heartbreak.

[Gemma]

It taught me a lot. And I remember having this resounding sense of like, independence. Like, no matter what, you need to be independent. You need to be able to rely on yourself. You cannot get attached to any one person.

[Ryan]

And so I got this like, tattoo that represented that, and now I have.

[Gemma]

A more balanced perspective.

[Ryan]

But when I look at that tattoo in the mirror, sometimes I can exactly remember where I was when I got it. And I don't just mean physically where I was, but emotionally and mentally as well. Same for, like my 22 tattoo. You know, I turned 22 on the 22nd of the 2nd. 2022. That felt very significant to me. It felt very aligned. It felt like it was something that needed to be held on to. And, you know, actually, quite frankly, like, my 22nd year was an amazing year of my life. Like, I quit my job, I met my boyfriend.

[Gemma]

I finally felt happy in the city I was in.

[Ryan]

I had all these opportunities, but. But, you know, I do still sometimes look at it and be like, why did you have to get that?

[Gemma]

Why?

[Ryan]

Why did you have to get that? Because you're not 22 anymore. But I think we'll talk about regret a little bit later. The biggest reason for me in that moment was the emotional significance of where I was. And for other people, that's really important as well. It really comes down to self identity.

[Gemma]

And our desire to hold onto the feelings and encounters that have shaped us.

[Ryan]

Perhaps even using our body as like.

[Gemma]

A way to communicate who we are.

[Ryan]

And what we've experienced.

[Gemma]

I think about Harry Potter tattoos as a perfect example of this or any kind of fandom or religious tattoo. These are called group identification tattoos.

[Ryan]

You know, you put something on your body so that if someone else saw.

[Gemma]

It, they would know maybe implicitly what kind of person you are. Or if they were someone who was interested in the same things, they could be like, like, oh, friend, you know, I know who you are. We have this thing in common, even.

[Ryan]

Though we've never met.

[Gemma]

It's like this form of communication or recognition. Belonging. It's a form of belonging. Obviously, that can also take a terrible.

[Ryan]

Turn if people are using hate symbols as a way to identify a group.

[Gemma]

To which they belong.

[Ryan]

Like, that's this. That's this philosophy taken to a very negative, dark extreme.

[Gemma]

But it is still part of some.

[Ryan]

People'S motivations for getting tattoos.

[Gemma]

The final value based reason for getting a tattoo can be for cultural reasons.

[Ryan]

As we've already explained, there are so.

[Gemma]

Many cultures with an amazing history of tattooing.

[Ryan]

I think about our New Zealand and.

[Gemma]

Maori neighbors here In Australia who get.

[Ryan]

I'm going to try and pronounce this right.

[Gemma]

Tomoko, which is traditional Mori. Tattoos that really symbolize cultural pride, history story. They can mark like a significant occasion.

[Ryan]

Like a marriage or a graduation. Side note, I need you to look.

[Gemma]

Up how people get these tattoos because.

[Ryan]

When I first saw that process, I genuinely was like, wow, these are the toughest people on the planet. But yes, that is a really big part of what calls people to have.

[Gemma]

Something permanent on their skin. Let's talk about the second reason we.

[Ryan]

Get tattoos and that is because it's.

[Gemma]

Just an appealing form of art. It's an extension of our identity through decoration.

[Ryan]

Now the first reason was very deep. It's very identity based.

[Gemma]

This one is less deep. Tattoos are pretty. We are just a canvas. Our body is made to be adorned. Simple as that.

[Ryan]

That your tattoos don't need a specific meaning.

[Gemma]

In a recent episode actually a guest was telling me about a friend of.

[Ryan]

Hers who gets random tattoos whenever she feels like it. You know, she's I think in her.

[Gemma]

50S and she'll go into a tattoo parlor on a Saturday and just say, go for it.

[Ryan]

Decorate me. You know, if she sees a cool.

[Gemma]

Cartoon, a word she loves, an image, a pattern, she just does it.

[Ryan]

I think that is a beautiful way.

[Gemma]

To think about our body and to.

[Ryan]

Think about, you know, its permanence or lack of permanence in this world.

[Gemma]

Something I do always struggle with when it comes to this though, or I.

[Ryan]

Debate with myself when it comes to.

[Gemma]

Should I get a specific tattoo? Should I get a specific design? Is do I just think this is.

[Ryan]

Cute because it's a trending design? Is this just the same as a.

[Gemma]

Viral sweater or a viral lip balm.

[Ryan]

But is going to be on my body forever? That's something I consider a lot. If tattoos are self expression, why is.

[Gemma]

It that a lot of us end.

[Ryan]

Up getting similar tattoos? Like some examples I can think of the love heart tattoos everyone was getting on their fingers like back in like.

[Gemma]

2015, 2016, infinity tattoos.

[Ryan]

Now it's like micro tattoos, cowboy tattoos, which I think are really, really cute.

[Gemma]

That lion tattoo that everyone used to.

[Ryan]

Get on their finger. None of these are inherently bad tattoos.

[Gemma]

But it's interesting that a lot of us got them at the same time.

[Ryan]

And I think what it reflects is like a shared aesthetic appreciation, shared cultural trends, community, identity, of course. And you know, the Internet is obviously.

[Gemma]

Some parts of the Internet are a community. So we all kind of feel excited.

[Ryan]

By the same things.

[Gemma]

We end up finding beauty in the Same things. I think just like art in general has different, different seasons and movements, like abstract art, the Renaissance, contemporary art, tattoos go through these kind of seasons as well.

[Ryan]

And it means that a lot of people will jump on the bandwagon.

[Gemma]

Now, I don't think this is a bad thing, quite honestly.

[Ryan]

Like, I think just because you find something beautiful and someone else also finds that beautiful doesn't mean you are not unique. I actually think that when I see someone with these tattoos, I'm like, wow.

[Gemma]

You are kind of a tapestry for the culture and age that we're living in. You know, this is, you're a part of history.

[Ryan]

Like, this is actually quite cool that you have this thing on your body that I know this is quite morbid.

[Gemma]

But say someone was to dig you.

[Ryan]

Up in 3,000 years like that mummy we talked about, and they found like a tattoo of a heart on your finger. They could say, oh, wow, that must.

[Gemma]

Have been important at the time. That must have been something that was aesthetic to people at the time.

[Ryan]

And I find that very, very interesting. Okay, we are going to take a.

[Gemma]

Quick break because I'm fully about to shift gears here.

[Ryan]

But when I return, let's talk about.

[Gemma]

The role of tattooing in coping, healing from trauma, and whether this practice can actually become addictive. All of that and so much more after this short break.

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[Gemma]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's Stock up savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible cleaning items from Tide, Downey, Charmin and Dawn or dinner essentials from Hidden Valley, Healthy Choice or Pillsbury, plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Unknown]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the NAT. Now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report from prioritizing time.

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[Gemma]

A few years ago, I came across an article by someone calling themselves an incident ink nurse.

[Ryan]

And they talked about this idea of ink or tattoo therapy.

[Gemma]

Essentially, her take was that everything we feel, emotionally and mentally, cannot disappear through the mind alone. It also needs to be processed by the body. Now, for some people, emotions are processed.

[Ryan]

Through tears and grief, maybe rage, exercise, making art.

[Gemma]

For others, the way they process trauma, psychological pain, heartache, anything that the human.

[Ryan]

Soul has kind of gone through is through tattoos. Why is this the case?

[Gemma]

Well, firstly, I think it's because tattoos give us a sense of control we may be lacking in our ordinary life in this way. You know, you have this immense power.

[Ryan]

To do to your body what you.

[Gemma]

Wish to do with it, and it can really help you reclaim your identity by making it your own through an outward depiction of what matters to you or what you find interesting or what you find beautiful. You're saying I have complete ownership over my body, so this is what I'm.

[Ryan]

Going to do with it.

[Gemma]

I want to talk about one piece.

[Ryan]

Of research that really speaks to this reclaiming and this, this powerful healing of tattoos. In particular, this piece of research actually.

[Gemma]

Looked at the association between childhood abuse and neglect with our likelihood of getting tattoos and piercings. It was conducted in Germany with over a thousand participants, and they did find tattoos and piercings more common amongst individuals who reported childhood abuse and neglect. So they're linking this very deep emotional suffering with a way of adorning and treating our bodies. Now, what they also concluded is that body modification, in a sense, was actually a very empowering experience for these people.

[Ryan]

Because although they had suffered this, like, great adversity, they were now taking back the control. And there was also this weird sense.

[Gemma]

Relating to pain, and letting that pain be self inflicted was actually quite empowering.

[Ryan]

Compared to times when pain had been used against them. It's deeply psychological.

[Gemma]

And to me, this explanation makes a lot of sense.

[Ryan]

And these findings have been corroborated in.

[Gemma]

Another piece of research that was published.

[Ryan]

Just a little bit later on.

[Gemma]

These researchers talk about how our desire to get specific tattoos, or even to get tattoos at all actually gives us.

[Ryan]

A real peek, a real vision into someone's psyche. Right.

[Gemma]

What they choose to get on their.

[Ryan]

Body is actually a really, I don't.

[Gemma]

Know, I don't want to say interesting.

[Ryan]

Again, but it's a very secretive almost in Depth way of understanding what they've been through and how they see the world.

[Gemma]

So this paper, this was published in 2006, 2017.

[Ryan]

It actually talks about how therapists can.

[Gemma]

Prompt an open discussion with someone using their tattoos, asking them about their tattoos, asking them about their meaning, their motivations for getting them as a way to.

[Ryan]

Kind of have a breakthrough with a client. Basically, if someone has a specific piece of art, it's obviously important enough for.

[Gemma]

Them to have put it on their body. So there must have been some motivation.

[Ryan]

That has caused them to think that.

[Gemma]

This is a good idea and that.

[Ryan]

This is what they want.

[Gemma]

What does that motivation link to? What can that tell you about who.

[Ryan]

They are as a person?

[Gemma]

Not only that, not only is it linked to control, not only is it linked to personality, tattoos have also been shown to change how we think about our bodies. Having that control and being able to make ourselves into a form of arms.

[Ryan]

Is so mentally powerful.

[Gemma]

If you are someone who struggles with.

[Ryan]

Things like body dysmorphia or just general.

[Gemma]

Unhappiness towards your appearance. There have been some studies, including a specific one I'm thinking about from 2011.

[Ryan]

That showed that right after getting a.

[Gemma]

Tattoo, individuals reportedly feel better about their bodies. They experience less appearance based anxiety. They also express less fear of being.

[Ryan]

Perceived in that kind of way.

[Gemma]

Tattoos are like a psychological armor, and.

[Ryan]

For that reason, they also influence our emotional state. So our emotional state influences whether we get them.

[Gemma]

And then once we do get them.

[Ryan]

That has a further impact. It's like a cycle. That is why tattoos can become addictive, because the process of getting them makes us feel some sort of way.

[Gemma]

Anything that changes our mood, such that we associate an activity with immediately feeling better, has the capacity to become addictive.

[Ryan]

You know, alcohol, for example, makes us.

[Gemma]

Feel less anxious and more lively.

[Ryan]

That emotional association makes it addictive.

[Gemma]

Amphetamines give us that huge rush, make us feel joyous. Gambling makes us feel fulfilled by possibility. Tattoos bring us a sense of control. And according to that same study, they also make us feel better about how we look.

[Ryan]

They make us feel, feel more at.

[Gemma]

Peace with our past, and they can.

[Ryan]

Make our lives feel more purposeful and significant. That is a very addictive feeling. I think a lot of us would.

[Gemma]

Do a lot of things to feel.

[Ryan]

Happy in who we are, to feel at peace with our past, to feel meaningful in our life. That's pretty addictive. Therefore, getting tattoos is also addictive. It's a common experience.

[Gemma]

I've heard from tattoo artists that they will get a client who has never.

[Ryan]

Had a tattoo before.

[Gemma]

They will give them their first tattoo, and then a month later, this person.

[Ryan]

Will come back and have, like, dozens, because the process for them is so emotionally satisfying. Some of that comes down to our experiences with pain.

[Gemma]

Yes, we mostly want to avoid it. That's how we're hardwired. But there are some people who actually.

[Ryan]

Find it quite pleasurable and quite.

[Gemma]

That brings about quite a sense of relief. Some people find catharsis in the process.

[Ryan]

Of getting a tattoo. You know that there's, like, this painful experience that then provides a really amazing result. It lets out pain that they may be feeling internally. All of this actually creates a lot of enjoyment that we associate with the process.

[Gemma]

We can also get, quote, unquote, addicted to tattooing because of the role of.

[Ryan]

Two chemicals in our body.

[Gemma]

Adrenaline and endorphins. Endorphins, I'm just using as a general.

[Ryan]

Way of saying pleasant chemical messages.

[Gemma]

So the anticipation of and the pain.

[Ryan]

That we experience from tattooing, that can.

[Gemma]

Lead to an adrenaline rush.

[Ryan]

This will naturally create a feeling of almost euphoria. Now, the adrenaline that is released in.

[Gemma]

Response to pain is meant to lessen.

[Ryan]

The painful experience, but it actually means that we begin to associate the act of getting tattooed with, you know, a.

[Gemma]

Lot of warm and fuzzy feelings. Given, you know, the level of anticipation.

[Ryan]

With any first experience, that adrenaline rush is going to be heightened.

[Gemma]

So the first time you get a.

[Ryan]

Tattoo, you are going to experience the largest adrenaline rush from the specific activity that you will ever experience.

[Gemma]

But people will continue to seek that rush.

[Ryan]

And that is why we can perhaps explain people who come back and come.

[Gemma]

Back and come back. It looks like an addiction, but it's.

[Ryan]

More them chasing a specific feeling. Now, after getting a tattoo, our body.

[Gemma]

Will also naturally release endorphins to soothe our pain, to target inflammation. That also feels amazing. Some of the endorphins that we'll be.

[Ryan]

Experiencing are natural opioids, natural pain relievers that we know are extremely addictive.

[Gemma]

So that combination of the rush of adrenaline and then the emotional and physical.

[Ryan]

Comfort of endorphins may encourage us to keep going back.

[Gemma]

Now, this can be a dangerous process, and something that always comes up in discussions about tattoos is regret.

[Ryan]

If you're getting tattoo after tattoo after.

[Gemma]

Tattoo, are you making the best decisions?

[Ryan]

Are you being wise about what you want on your body permanently? Now, this is always going to come into this discussion, and you'll frequently hear it from, like, older generations or people who feel uncertain about tattoos.

[Gemma]

They'll ask you, like, are you sure you want this on your body forever?

[Ryan]

Like, you know that this is forever, right? Are you sure that 30 year old you or 50 year old you or 80 year old you, is that version.

[Gemma]

Of yourself going to love it as much as you do now? Like, how do you know this is a smart decision? I'm going to answer that question for.

[Ryan]

You right here, right now.

[Gemma]

You don't, you don't. And there is potential regret in absolutely everything.

[Ryan]

So chances are you might look at.

[Gemma]

That tattoo at some point and say.

[Ryan]

Eh, that wasn't the best decision. But I don't think we need to fear regret all that much. I don't think it's actually the worst thing that you can ever experience. I even think about the tattoos that I don't like now. I still enjoy them for what they meant to me back then.

[Gemma]

They're kind of like scars in a way. You know, they make a good story.

[Ryan]

They tell something about my experience and they bring me a very strange but.

[Gemma]

Very valued connection with my past self. Like I can tap into exactly what she was thinking at that time, which.

[Ryan]

I find quite special. And you know, tattoos are going to.

[Gemma]

Change as you get older. They aren't going to look the same. They're going to be shaped by age. And that is something that you can.

[Ryan]

That you should be be remembering. But also these days, like, they're not permanent.

[Gemma]

I saw that image of Pete Davidson.

[Ryan]

Recently when I was in la. Like I saw the billboard that he did for reformation. Like, all of his tattoos gone. Like, it's possible. It's expensive, but it's possible.

[Gemma]

Probably not what you should be considering though.

[Ryan]

Like, if you're getting a tattoo and you're thinking, oh, whatever, I can remove it someday.

[Gemma]

Not the mindset you should go in.

[Ryan]

With because it is still a painful process and it still will leave a mark. And like this is, you should be thinking of it as permanent. If you want to get like a semi permanent tattoo, like, go and get those ones that you can like put on with a wet cloth. Like, if you're going and thinking, I can get this removed one day, you know, the easiest way for that to happen is to just not get it right now.

[Gemma]

So I want to briefly talk about.

[Ryan]

Some, some tips for making the right decision about a tattoo. Because it's important, you know, if you want to get one. I think that's amazing. I really like mine. I find them like, very decorative, very.

[Gemma]

Fun, good conversation starters.

[Ryan]

But you want to make smart decisions. Like you don't want your first tattoo to be like an all out, like, snake down your entire body. Or maybe you do, but this is what you should be thinking about.

[Gemma]

The most common reasons people regret their tattoos, according to a recent piece of.

[Ryan]

Research, is that it was impulsive. So around 35% of people say, I regret it because it was impulsive, it didn't have a significant meaning, or they thought it would make them look cool, and it doesn't.

[Gemma]

What we do find is the more thoughtful and careful you are about a.

[Ryan]

Tattoo, the less likely you are to regret it.

[Gemma]

So if you are thinking about getting.

[Ryan]

Something on your skin before you do.

[Gemma]

Print off that tattoo, the tattoo design.

[Ryan]

That you have, put it somewhere that you'd see it every single day to make sure you don't get sick of it. And I think it's like, recommended to.

[Gemma]

Do this for like three to six months.

[Ryan]

You know, if this is a tattoo.

[Gemma]

You genuinely want and then you're going.

[Ryan]

To love, you're still going to want.

[Gemma]

It in six months, you're still going.

[Ryan]

To want it in a year, and.

[Gemma]

This is a great insurance for you.

[Ryan]

To say, okay, if I had to.

[Gemma]

Look at this every single day, would.

[Ryan]

I still want it? Secondly, when you start, start small. Start with somewhere not visible. Also just important to see how your.

[Gemma]

Body reacts to it.

[Ryan]

Whether, like, you actually like the process and you're not halfway through a tattoo in so much pain regretting it and it's somewhere really, really visible. I think that's just wise.

[Gemma]

Don't get tattoos when you're drunk.

[Ryan]

Oh, my Lord.

[Gemma]

I have friends who have done this. Not only did they end up looking really bad because they' blood was really.

[Ryan]

Thin so it leaked, but it really.

[Gemma]

Comes down to the impulsive nature of this.

[Ryan]

This might be a controversial one and it might sound hypocritical considering I got.

[Gemma]

My first tattoo when I was 18. But if I had to go back.

[Ryan]

I would say, don't get a tattoo before you turn 20, please. Like, I don't know why that feels like a good distinction, but the longer you can wait, the better. I think getting a tattoo young and I still think, like, 18, 19, 20 is quite young. I'm not saying it's going to increase your chances of regretting it. I'm just saying that getting a tattoo.

[Gemma]

A little bit older might reduce your.

[Ryan]

Chances of regretting it and finally be safe. And if it costs more, that's not a bad thing. This is like a permanent accessory for you.

[Gemma]

Think about how much you would spend.

[Ryan]

On a really nice pair of jeans, really nice pair of Shoes on a handbag like this. Think about cost per wear here. You're going to be wearing this every single day of your life.

[Gemma]

So it is an investment.

[Ryan]

Go to a good tattoo artist.

[Gemma]

I have seen so many terrible tattoos in my day and on Reddit and on Pinterest and on Instagram.

[Ryan]

You don't want to be that just because you want the tattoo really badly right now.

[Gemma]

You will still want it in three months when you have a little bit more money. Trust me, it really makes all the difference.

[Ryan]

I am so lucky that one of.

[Gemma]

My best friends is a tattoo artist.

[Ryan]

And I trust her more than anyone. And you can really tell the difference between someone who is really passionate about their craft and does everything right and someone who is doing tattoos for $5 at, like, somewhere on a strip more. So those would be my most significant, important tips. Also, maybe some advice to younger Gemma.

[Gemma]

To baby Gemma around what she should have done differently. You know what, though?

[Ryan]

I want to finish out this episode by saying, it is your body. It is your body to have regrets about. It is your body to modify. It is your body to express and to demonstrate with and to decorate. So, yes, make smart decisions, but don't consider disappointing people as part of it. Don't consider what other people are going.

[Gemma]

To think too much.

[Ryan]

So in this consideration of getting a.

[Gemma]

Tattoo, if it's something that's important to you, if it's something that you think will ground you, if it's something that.

[Ryan]

You think will help with healing and will, you know, perhaps psychologically shift how you see yourself, that is always going to be worth it in my mind.

[Gemma]

And if you just like it and.

[Ryan]

You want a tattoo, do it like you're young. If you're worried about other people's opinions.

[Gemma]

Get it somewhere no one can see.

[Ryan]

Make it quite an intimate part of you. I actually think it's quite a beautiful rite of passage. It's something that was on my bucket list when I'm a kid. I'm glad that I've done it and for all the thoughts about it, again.

[Gemma]

It just comes down to personal preference.

[Ryan]

And what's going to make you feel good, good. And what's going to make you feel.

[Gemma]

Happy in the form and the vessel that you're in. So I hope you enjoyed this episode. Now, the people who make it this.

[Ryan]

Far know that they will always get a little emoji. So for your emoji, choose the emoji that you would most want tattooed on your body.

[Gemma]

Let's confuse the people who don't listen.

[Ryan]

To the end but then pretend they do because they see the emoji. What are you most likely to want.

[Gemma]

To get from the little emoji list?

[Ryan]

And if you have a tattoo, let me know.

[Gemma]

Do you regret any of your tattoos and why?

[Ryan]

Let's kind of share the word, share.

[Gemma]

The knowledge so someone else might not make the same mistake.

[Ryan]

I've already told you mine. I regret two of mine, my 22 and my one post breakup. But I still love them so I.

[Gemma]

Hope you still love yours as well. But please share below, make sure that you are following and you leave a five star star review. Also, if you have further questions stories I don't know comments about this episode, you can always message me at that psychology podcast on Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. Until next time though, stay safe. Please be kind, be gentle to yourself and I will talk to you very.

[Ryan]

Very soon.

[David's Bridal]

At David's Bridal Love is in every stitch, from the initial sketch to the final details. Each style is designed with exquisite craftsmanship. Turn those prom dreams into reality with David's Bridal. Every prom dress features handcrafted details filled with love. Create the perfect prom look in person with the help of their expert stylists and feel David's Bridal's commitment to making everyone feel special, no matter their budget. Sign up for diamond loyalty to save 15% on your first purchase. Earn points towards special rewards and [e-mail].

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's Stock Up Savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible beverage items like Powerade, Monster and Poppy, or breakfast items like Quaker Instant Oatmeal or General Mill Cereals plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Unknown]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash. Back back. Welcome to the Now It Pays to Discover. Learn more at discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report this.

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