More or Less: Behind the Stats Can redheads handle 25% more pain than brunettes?
28 snips
Jan 18, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of redheads and pain tolerance! Discover how the MC1R gene impacts their ability to handle pain. Hear about experiments that show redheads might need less opioid medication but require more anaesthetic. Explore the complex relationship between hair color and pain sensitivity, along with groundbreaking research on red-headed mice. Plus, enjoy some laughs over common misconceptions about redhead pain tolerance within families and friends!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Redhead Gene
- Redheads possess a unique gene called MC1R, responsible for their distinct hair color.
- This gene may also influence their pain tolerance.
MC1R and Melanin
- The MC1R gene produces a protein involved in melanin production, the pigment for skin and hair color.
- Redheads inherit MC1R variants, causing the protein to malfunction, resulting in red hair and lighter skin.
Multifunctional Genes
- Genes have multiple functions, influencing various traits (phenotypes).
- The limited number of genes compared to numerous phenotypes suggests each gene contributes to many traits.