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Redheads are better at coping with pain
CTV.ca ^

Posted on 08/11/2005 12:10:20 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: freckles; gingergene; gingers; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; redhair; redheads; spankem
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To: NathanBookman
"There is a joke somewhere in there, I know it."

LOL! Now be nice --

Carolyn

61 posted on 08/11/2005 12:36:56 PM PDT by CDHart (The world has become a lunatic asylum and the lunatics are in charge.)
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To: BibChr
I recall reading somewhere that they made her a redhead for the part. She wasn't a redhead naturally.

I think it was her.

62 posted on 08/11/2005 12:36:56 PM PDT by A Ruckus of Dogs
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To: Pyro7480

Boy, is her career ever over....


63 posted on 08/11/2005 12:38:06 PM PDT by ken5050 (Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to pass on her gene pool....any volunteers?)
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To: Grig

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


64 posted on 08/11/2005 12:38:28 PM PDT by joesnuffy (Save the whales. Redeem them for valuable prizes.)
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To: A Ruckus of Dogs

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


65 posted on 08/11/2005 12:38:37 PM PDT by RedBeaconNY (Vous parlez trop, mais vous ne dites rien.)
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To: ken5050

She's taken the stage acting route.


66 posted on 08/11/2005 12:39:31 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: Grig
Britain's greatest warrior, Boudicca, was a redhead.

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

67 posted on 08/11/2005 12:39:46 PM PDT by George Smiley (This tagline deliberately targeted journalists.)
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To: Pyro7480

summer stock in Grand Forks?


68 posted on 08/11/2005 12:40:08 PM PDT by ken5050 (Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to pass on her gene pool....any volunteers?)
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To: NathanBookman
"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.

69 posted on 08/11/2005 12:40:58 PM PDT by P8riot (Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.)
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To: Grig
This helps


70 posted on 08/11/2005 12:41:23 PM PDT by wallcrawlr (http://www.bionicear.com)
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further pain relief is possible by posting more pics of nikki cox....please do the community a favor.


71 posted on 08/11/2005 12:42:11 PM PDT by wallcrawlr (http://www.bionicear.com)
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To: Grig
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.
72 posted on 08/11/2005 12:47:03 PM PDT by Wiseghy
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To: EternalVigilance
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! ;-)
73 posted on 08/11/2005 12:47:16 PM PDT by HitmanLV
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To: wallcrawlr
How about Alica Witt?


74 posted on 08/11/2005 12:48:16 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: Grig

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.


75 posted on 08/11/2005 12:49:27 PM PDT by McGavin999 ("You must call evil by it's name" GW Bush ......... It's name is Terror)
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To: Grig

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).


76 posted on 08/11/2005 12:51:04 PM PDT by Squeako (ACLU: "Only Christians, Boy Scouts and War Memorials are too vile to defend.")
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To: Pyro7480
Im fully qualified to judge...

yes, my headache is gone now...

77 posted on 08/11/2005 12:51:46 PM PDT by wallcrawlr (http://www.bionicear.com)
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To: OB1kNOb
Gillian Anderson is not a real redhead.
She graduated from high school here in Grand Rapids in 86.


78 posted on 08/11/2005 1:00:02 PM PDT by ASA Vet (Line the border with trebuchets. Provide the invaders free flights home.)
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To: ASA Vet

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


79 posted on 08/11/2005 1:04:24 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: Cyclopean Squid
Red-headed stepchildren everywhere are thankful for this gene.

LOL

80 posted on 08/11/2005 1:17:54 PM PDT by toolbreaker
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