Why Some People Feel Less Pain

Turns out people with ginger- or reddish-colored hair feel less pain because of their genes. Hannah Fry, who is among them, shows us why. Watch The Future for more about the science of pain.

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[joependleton]

One of my brother's has red hair, he feels less pain! His hair got him noticed a lot growing up... it cool he's awesome.

[jimf]

No, wait. Less of some pain. More of other pain. I also have the interesting feature of local anaesthetics not working on me. It is always necessary to introduce myself to medics, especially anaesthetists, by stating that I have a bizarre relationship with pain.

[PalmBeachFlorida]

Less pain AND more pain, depending on the pain.

[gosborg]

That was very interesting. Thanks, Hannah.

[SarahJohnson-bvsh]

I'm red headed ( ginger to you English) and I definitely am susceptible to sunburn. Once I got second degree burn on the back of my knees. I can assure you I felt pain 😢

[ak]

Ohhh this takes me back to the glory days of YouTube 🥺🥺🥺
GINGERS DO HAVE SOULS!

[Cin]

This is untrue. They feel MORE pain of some types and less of others.

[Sleepingbear]

Now I know why Scottish people are so brave! - A curious American 🇺🇸

[jibranjawaid]

I only have ginger beard so probably feel half the pain and have half a soul 😅

[TreDogOfficial]

That's actually a huge downside if you don't know if you have mild, chronic infections.

[JBaxter-pioj]

That is scary. I'm a ginger and have suffered with intense back pain. I know that I've had to warn dentists and anaesthetists about the fact that I require more pain killers when I do require them. If the pain that I've felt is less considered to what the general population feels then .... wow.

[mikeford]

In the 60s, I was called 'rusty'! I didn't feel the pain but I was crying on the inside!!😢...not really!

[richardtyler]

She may be the most beautiful ginger I’ve ever seen. 🤩

[daftphil]

An upside?
I thought feeling pain was a response to ensure we remove the cause of that pain.
"That was but a flesh wound"- The Black Knight.

[joecliffordson]

I married a chubby redhead. Omg. Best decision ever. She is so hot and so smart after 25 years I can’t imagine life without her. The ladies really do have secret talents. I love this gene. It has great potential when managed right.

[Sarelzayeth]

Dunno, I feel like a well-used Voodoo doll right now.😂

[anuragfreak]

What fi someone hurts you online, Hannah Fry? Care for a thought.

[bdml]

I'm ginger who has chronic pain!!!

[niklaswahlgren]

whaaat? that is like totally opposite of what I have heard from other sources.. I will believe you though. Because of what people are like and I see that trait/adaptation being introduced via either successive abuse or like the ones with that trait were the only ones who survived or something, maybe :) I will also further argue, this has no correlation with emotional pain :) Maybe? Your other video about like solving the pain thing. Made me wish there was a way not to feel so much emotional pain.

[mar_twa_wod_aa]

Ah, a natural adaptation to getting bullied.