It may be ginger – but their skin is not.
In a seemingly paradoxical study, American researchers found that redheads have a high tolerance to preternatural pain – wait for it – because a mechanism that increases their susceptibility to sunburn.
These findings describe the mechanistic basis behind previous evidence suggesting varying pain thresholds in different pigmentation environments, said Dr. David Fisher of Massachusetts General Hospital in Massachusetts. He led the burning study published in the journal Science Advances.
Research has found that the cells that cause skin color – called melanocytes – play an important role in deciding how people experience pain.
Because people with fiery hair are proud of a defective melanocyte, they cannot process enough dark pigment to tan, which has the added effect of raising the threshold for injury.
Don’t worry, no Ron Weasley has been injured in the name of science. An examination of red-fur mice showed that their melanocytes functioned similarly to those of rust-headed humans.
Like all people, those with red curls – the rarest hair color – boast a melanocyte receptor called melanocortin 1, whose main directive determines when the body produces a dark brown and black color, the Daily Mail reported.
However, in tomatoes the receptor does not work, which makes their pale skin unable to tan, being more vulnerable to sunburn.
Fortunately, despite their increased sensitivity to the sun, these “vermilion hairs” are also less likely to feel burnt.
The previously mentioned screwed receptors reduce the production of a chemical called POMC, causing lower levels of various hormones. This, in turn, balances the pain-inhibiting receptors with the pain-enhancing receptors, stimulating the function of opioid sensors that relieve pain and are not made by skin color cells.
As a result, redheads have a greater tolerance for pain than their blond and brunette brothers.
The purpose of the research is not to confirm the “South Park” stereotype that ginger has strange superpowers (even if they are scientifically proven to smell sexier, among other special abilities).
Rather, understanding this mechanism provides validation of this prior evidence and valuable recognition for healthcare professionals when caring for patients whose pain sensitivity may vary, ”said Dr. Fisher.
Farkuses shields in the world are not the only ones that can withstand abnormal levels of abuse. A 2019 study found that women are the superior sex when it comes to processing the agony that has taken place in the past.