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Can redheads handle 25% more pain than brunettes?

We investigate the claim that people with red hair have a hidden pain-blocking superpower

What has the colour of your hair got to do with your capacity to withstand pain?

We investigate the claim, which regularly circulates on social media, that natural redheads are 25% tougher than their brunette peers.

Pain expert Jeff Mogil explains how it all comes down to something called MC1R.

Presenter: Charlotte McDonald
Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Series Producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound Mix: Bob Nettles

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9 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Jan 202500:50GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Jan 202505:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa & Live News
  • Sat 18 Jan 202511:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Sat 18 Jan 202516:50GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet & Live News
  • Sun 19 Jan 202509:50GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Sun 19 Jan 202511:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 19 Jan 202522:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Mon 20 Jan 202500:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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