Red-haired individuals exhibit greater tolerance for various types of pain, particularly stabbing sensations in the skin. This finding comes from Danish researchers led by Professor Lars Arendt-Nielsen at Aalborg University.
Capsaicin
In the study, participants received injections of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers. Redheads handled it better than others, showing reduced responses to pressure around the injection site or pinpricks. "They respond less to pressure around the injected area or on a pinprick. It seems they are better protected against this pain—a very interesting finding," Arendt-Nielsen explained.
The research examined the MC1R gene, which produces melanin, the pigment responsible for brown skin tones. Redheads carry a variant that impairs melanin production, heightening their sensitivity to sunburn, for instance.
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Overall, the study indicates redheads are less sensitive to certain pains but more vulnerable to UV rays and prone to toothaches. It also suggests a stronger link between the MC1R gene and the nervous system than previously understood.
