The professor did, however, add that research indicates that individuals with ginger hair may have distinct experiences with pain sensitivity and tolerance.
“It’s frequently mentioned that women with ginger hair have a different genetic basis for how they experience the threshold for pain than women without,” Tracey added.
The allegations stem from the fact that redheads, who make up between two and six percent of the US population, have a melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variation.
This gene regulates the synthesis of melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of skin, eyes, and hair.
In addition to producing a lot of pheomelanin, people with red hair are also more likely to have freckles and light skin, which leaves them vulnerable to sunburn and touch sensitivity.
