The result is quite surprising. Because they are a very small part of the population people with red hairthey respond differently to certain types of pain.

How ? Come on, let’s explain.

It turns out that red-haired people’s perception of pain differs from that of other individuals.

These individuals, some While you may be more sensitive to types of pain Their general pain tolerance was observed to be higher than average. It is notable that they respond more effectively to some painkillers and require lower doses of these medications.

Based on these differences It lies in a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R). MC1R regulates melanin production in the body; This pigment is a component that gives color to the skin, hair and eyes. People with red hair often produce pheomelanin, which is also associated with fair skin and freckle formation.

Research shows that there is a connection between MC1R and pain perception.

Dr. David E. Fisher studies conducted in red-haired mice to better understand this relationship. These mice naturally have a higher pain tolerance due to carrying the MC1R variant. The study used crosses with mice whose pigment production was blocked to investigate how melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) influence the perception of pain.

The results showed that mice with the MC1R variant had a higher pain threshold without melanin production. However number of melanocytes It was found that this also affected this threshold. This finding suggests that increased pain tolerance results from loss of MC1R function in melanocytes.

Another key finding of the study was that melanocytes in red-haired mice secreted lower levels of a protein called proopiomelanocortin.

POMCcan be divided into hormones that increase and inhibit the experience of pain. The balance of these hormones has a significant influence on pain sensitivity. However, it is understood that the MC1R variant shifts this balance in favor of opioid receptors. This leads to more opioid signals and therefore a higher pain threshold.

These findings explain the basis for differences in pain thresholds in individuals with different pigmentation backgrounds. People with red hair Understanding these mechanisms that influence pain perception may also contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for patients whose pain sensitivity may change.

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