Redheads are better at coping with pain

CTV.ca ^

[Grig]

People with ginger locks are head and shoulders above blondes or brunettes when it comes to coping with pain, researchers claim.

Scientists have found that the gene responsible for flame-coloured hair also produces a morphine-type substance that acts like an anaesthetic and reduces pain.

When researchers at the Medical Research Council in London introduced the gene in mice, they found the rodents could withstand more pain than normal.

"Seventy per cent of redheads are redheads because a particular gene doesn't work," Prof. Jeff Mogil of Montreal's McGill University, told CTV News.

"This is a gene that would otherwise give you brown hair. This gene is also relevant to pain and pain killing by certain drugs."

Researchers in Scotland will now launch studies on humans to confirm the theory.

The findings could lead to the development of new drugs to combat chronic pain.

The hair colour gene produces a protein pivotal to feeling pain.

In blondes and brunettes, it produces high levels of the protein, which means they feel pain much more keenly.

The gene that's linked to red hair, melanocortin-1, dates back about 100,000 years.

Ancient Romans considered the colour unlucky but the Egyptians thought redheads were favoured by the gods. Some of the Pharaohs were ginger.

Britain's greatest warrior, Boudicca, was a redhead. One Roman described her as "tall and terrifying... a great mass of red hair fell over her shoulders".

Being tougher than the rest could also explain the strength of famous redheads through the ages.

Napoleon, Cleopatra, Columbus, Vincent Van Gogh, William Shakespeare, George Washington, Florence Nightingale and Winston Churchill were all redheads.

[CDHart]

"There is a joke somewhere in there, I know it."

LOL! Now be nice --

Carolyn

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

I recall reading somewhere that they made her a redhead for the part. She wasn't a redhead naturally.

I think it was her.

[ken5050]

Boy, is her career ever over....

[joesnuffy]

I've noticed they can really dish it out too...

[RedBeaconNY]

Mmm... I dunno... I take out all of my own stitches... frequently.

[Pyro7480]

She's taken the stage acting route.

[George Smiley]

Britain's greatest warrior, Boudicca, was a redhead.

Is this the etymological origin of the term "bodacious"?

[ken5050]

summer stock in Grand Forks?

[P8riot]

"My OB-GYN and my dentist agree."

There is a joke somewhere in there, I know it.

Orificers and gentlemen, both of them I'll bet.

[wallcrawlr]

This helps

[wallcrawlr]

further pain relief is possible by posting more pics of nikki cox....please do the community a favor.

[Wiseghy]

Interesting.

There has also been some speculation that Neanderthals had a very high tolerance for pain. Their male skeletons all show multiple fractures similar to rodeo and stunt riders.

[HitmanLV]

Haha, I didn't say the pain was entirely dis-pleasurable, did I?

Just some good natured kidding on my end, friend! That's all! ;-)

[Pyro7480]

How about Alica Witt?

[McGavin999]

I knew it! I've always thought it was just a question of mind over matter, but now they are saying it's because I have a defective gene? Ah well, whatever.

[Squeako]

My endocrinologist told me that redheads typically have low thyroid which, he said, "is bad for relationships". I'd agree with that based upon family history (and many comments here).

[wallcrawlr]

Im fully qualified to judge...

yes, my headache is gone now...

[ASA Vet]

Gillian Anderson is not a real redhead.
She graduated from high school here in Grand Rapids in 86.

[Pyro7480]

Hmm. Interesting. She certainly has that skin tone though.

[toolbreaker]

Red-headed stepchildren everywhere are thankful for this gene.

LOL