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Scientists have suggested that redheads experience pain differently and might even have more sexual activity.
It seems there are additional reasons to be envious of naturally red-haired women beyond their stunning locks, as researchers claim they process pleasure and pain differently from people with other hair colors.
Professor Irene Tracey, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, revealed why redheads enjoy these extra perks during an interview on the Radio 4 Today program.
The renowned neuroscientist, dubbed the 'Queen of Pain', highlighted that pain thresholds vary greatly among individuals, portraying it as a personal experience that's challenging to research.
She explained, "Pain is subjective; it's a personal sensation that you can't truly quantify; it's peculiar in its nature.
"The ultimate goal is to eliminate what we refer to as 'bad pain', chronic pain, by targeting it accurately and alleviating that suffering for patients. The aim is not to eliminate beneficial pain but to get rid of harmful pain."
However, the professor noted that research indicates that individuals with red hair might experience pain tolerance and sensitivity in unique ways.
"There's frequently discussion about women with red hair, in contrast to others, having a different genetic foundation that affects their pain threshold," Tracey remarked.
The 'Queen of Pain' said pain is an individual experience but redheads might experience it differently (Footsteps Festival/YouTube)
These assertions arise as redheads, making up approximately two to six percent of the U.S. population, carry a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene.
This gene regulates the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the coloration of skin, eyes, and hair.
Red-haired individuals predominantly produce pheomelanin, which accounts for their tendency to have freckles, fair skin that easily burns in sunlight, and an increased sensitivity to touch.
People with red hair have a certain gene which makes them more likely to have freckles and pale skin
A study published in the medical journal "Anesthesiology" suggests that the pain threshold in redheads is influenced by their hair color gene mutation, which might be partially deactivating a sensory receptor.
A study from McGill University found that redheads can endure up to 25 percent more pain compared to individuals with other hair colors, and according to a different study from Oslo University, they experience less pain from pinpricks.
Although red hair has been associated with variations in pain processing, the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unclear to scientists.
Moreover, it's not just pain; researchers have speculated that those with red hair might also experience pleasure in a unique way.
Research suggests women with red hair might have better sex lives
A study from the University of Hamburg discovered that women with red hair have the highest orgasm rate at 41 percent among all hair colors, and lead more sexually active lives.
Researcher Dr. Werner Habermehl stated, "Women with red hair have notably more active sex lives, with more partners and engaging in sex more frequently than average.
"The research confirms that the spirited redhead indeed matches her reputation."
These findings are further supported by a 2022 study from the Czech Republic, which reported that women with red hair exhibit 'higher sexual desire', have 'more sexual partners', and show 'greater sexual submissiveness', as reported by the Daily Mail.
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