Why redheads are tougher than you and me.

Fiery, temperamental, gorgeous, and now scientifically proven to be tougher than the average gal, redheads will soon rule the world.


Red-haired women have a higher pain threshold than blondes or brunettes, research has found.

The Medical Research Council's Human Genetics Unit in Britain has found the same gene mutation that is responsible for red hair also produces low levels of a protein that is sensitive to pain.

Blondes and brunettes release higher quantities of the protein, which makes them feel more pain than redheads.

For unknown reasons, red-haired men do not have the same immunity.
Prof Ian Jackson said the protein found in flame-haired women may be used to develop anaesthetics and pain-killers.

"It does appear redheads have a significantly higher pain threshold and require less anaesthetic to block certain pains," he said.

"It is early days yet, but I can see people would be interested in developing new anaesthetics and also treatments for chronic pain."
(Thanks to the Herald Sun and Yahoo!News for the heads up.)