PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There are so many myths told about people with red hair. Do they really have a higher pain threshold than everyone else?
For many years, it has been thought that people with red hair perceive pain differently from people with a different natural hair color. And according to a study from the Massachusetts General Hospital, the theory is true.
And researchers believe they have found out why.
The study focused on a variant of a gene that controls levels of melanin, which gives skin, eyes, and hair its color. They found that the gene in people with red hair ultimately causes the release of lower levels of a hormone called pro-opiomelanocortin, or POMC.
POMC is directly related to pain perception. Since redheads have less POMC, they are able to tolerate more pain.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.