Why Redheads are Naturally Hyperactive

erikthered
Eric the Red, the fierce red-haired Viking who discovered Greenland about AD 982. NB: Scan of small illustration.

When redheads are described, usually words of energy come to mind, like fiery, hot-tempered and flaming. Picture Vikings raiding seacoast villages and establishing trade routes throughout Europe. Even the country name, Russia, where Vikings sailed on the Volga River, means ‘to row.’ The Vikings traveled far and wide, from North America to the Mediterranean. Ancient redheads are known to have traveled worldwide, evidenced in the discovery of red-haired mummies found everywhere, including South America and China.

Studies have shown that redheads have a propensity for hyperactivity. An Israeli psychiatrist, Dr Michael Bar, reported that redheaded children are three to four times more likely than others to develop hyperactivity. He said, “it’s possible that the assumed national characteristics of certain ethnic groups, like the adventurousness of the Vikings and the temperament of the Irish, are connected to the high frequency of redheads among them.” Another doctor, a pediatrician who specializes in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Lendon Smith from Portland, Oregon, theorizes that an amino acid, tyrosine, that regulates pigmentation, is related to this hyperactive behavior. Smith also noted that these children are usually deficient in calcium and magnesium.

marsAstrologers claim there is a connection between the red planet Mars and the fiery nature of people with red hair. Redheads are notorious for their well-known hot-tempered, high strung and sensitive natures. In astrology, if the planet Mars is in your charts, it has the affect of placing fiery, competitive and almost explosive tendencies into your behavior. Research astrologers Judith Hill and Jacalyn Thompson made a discovery in their study of 500 redheads that makes a connection to Mars and redheads.

So if you are a redhead with many interests, ie ‘too many irons in the fire,’ don’t worry, it’s a redhead thing. I, myself, have moved over 30 times from Minnesota to Montana to California.

Sources:

The Redhead Book by Al Sacharov

Edward Snow Astrology News Service “The Volatile Connection Between Redheads and Mars”

The Redhead Book by Al Sacharov

Every redhead should read this book.

“In virtually every culture throughout history,” says Al Sacharov, author of a new manifesto for the scarlet-tressed, “redheads have been recognized as special people.”

“Red hair was associated with adventuresomeness and aggressiveness as far back as 100 B.C. Current studies have linked red hair with everything from hyperactivity and creative genius to alcoholism and depression. As long as there has been human wonder, there has been the suspicion that red hair might be part of the bridge to the supernatural and divine.”

“The soul of redheadedness,” says Sacharov, “is energy. Consider the adjectives commonly linked with hair colors — benevolent gray, tawny brown, sexy blonde. The one word always associated with red is flaming. Nine times out of 10 there’s going to be an electricity and dynamism associated with a mane of blazing red hair.”

“The connection between red hair and a fiery temperament may be more than just an old wives’ tale. An Israeli psychiatrist reported that redheaded children are three to four times more likely than others to develop hyperactivity. He theorized that the assumed national characteristics of certain ethnic groups, like the adventurous Vikings or temperamental Irish, are connected to the high frequency of redheads among them.

“A Portland, Ore., pediatrician, Lendon Smith, is advancing the theory that one cause for hyperactive, high-strung behavior relates to tyrosine–a genetically regulated amino acid that controls pigmentation. In 20 years of practice, Dr. Smith has noticed that nearly 75 percent of the nearly 8,000 children referred to him for hyperactive behavior were fair-complected, with either blond or red hair.”

 

Source: Washington Post interview with Al Sacharov in the 1980’s

Death of the Redhead, Tom Sawyer

tom sawyer
Tom Sawyer

Death of Tom Sawyer

Today, the character of Tom Sawyer, the restless, curious, and creative boy, whose adventures on the Mississippi River have intrigued me my whole life, is under threat from the negative labeling of children with ADD/ADHD and then supressing them with drugs so they can conform and behave. I thank God they didnt have those labels when I went to school. Sure it was difficult with the boredom and restlessness and I was constantly in trouble for being me with no threat to anyone else. However, I would not have become the person I am now with that discrimination.

Mark Twain, the author and his character, Tom, both had red hair, like myself. Having red hair makes one extra-sensitive. Im also the red-haired step-child just like Tom. His aunt Polly, in a movie presentation, sings out her heart over how futile it is to tame Tom. Lucky for us she didnt have any medications to sedate him. Goodbye classic!!!

Yes, I moved alot, had drug and alcohol problems and relationship issues, many near death experiences, but I kept on searching for a better way to calm me down. The first solution came with the abstinence of wheat and milk. At the time, I must have sustained the dairy industry with my milk addiction. Wow, did I eat alot of pizza which is nothing but cardboard and glue. I went through withdrawal like coming off drugs when I quit those. Then I noticed my hayfever dissipated. What a relief!! The second solution came when I discovered Chinese medicine. Acupuncture gave my mind a break. My first treatment saved my life when I had an acute hayfever reaction. No more wheezing and sneezing, thankyou! I would keep regular sessions after that. During future treatments, I began to notice or feel energy sensations moving through my body. These two solutions really made a huge difference. Later, I have abstained from coffee and alcohol too. I switched to a chinese green tea called Goddess of Mercy(tikwanyin) tea and kombucha, also an ancient chinese beverage.

Redheads, like Mark Twain,Tom Sawyer and myself, especially if you have redhair and blue eyes like me, fall into a less than 1% of the total population. Are redheads a race in itself-perhaps? My life, like Tom’s has been observing culture. I heard from a narrative on Mark Twain, that when he, in his real life, was working on a steamboat, his captain could recite, orally, whole stories of Shakespeare while traveling up and down the Mississippi. Tom Sawyer because of his adventure and not staying in school, gives us a unique picture of America from his observations. I read Tom Sawyer as a kid and then when I was studying American culture in college, was intriqued again by the studying of Mark Twain. Having red hair I believe has given me an outside-inside look into cultures, being accepted by all ethnicities that I have encountered. I get along with the homeless as well, they probably have that damn label ADD/ADHD too.

Its more of a blessing than a curse. Being who I am, Ive learned about the energy world by being mesmerized by falling snow flakes, shimmering light on the water and golden leaves shaking in the wind and falling in a spiral motion gently received by the earth. My life’s purpose finally came to me after 5 eagles circled me one day, hitting me with their shadows. Only a person with hyper-vigilance of their environment and being different would notice and think of communicating with animals. To my amazement, Rose too, spotted an eagle that told her to bring me a necklace, after which we went on our first date.

Ive read about studies in China where they cured ADD with herbs. (chinese herbal treatments for ADD) While studying at a Chinese school of medicine, I was able to experiment with those formulas and found they really helped me alot. Attention deficit might be diagnosed in traditional chinese medicine in one example, as yin-deficient heat or fire-well at least thats what I have. The body is balanced by yin and yang. Yin energy is cooling and nourishing, and yang is heating and active. When there is a deficiency in the cooling, the heat is going to be excessive, leading to, as with me, a hyperactivity. So you nourish the yin to calm the yang. Tuina, which includes acupressure, and is able to be used on children because needles are usually not administered to children, can really calm. This type of of massage is energetic. The method I was taught is holistic, meaning I work with the body, mind, and spirit.

I ended up embracing the whole concept of Chinese Medicine which is founded on ancient daoist practices, such as tui na hands-on healing, chi gong energy work, the Yi Ching divination system that can be applied to medicine, feng shui for enhancing your environment, daoist astrology(chinese) for understanding yourself better and aiding your health too. All of these concepts are founded around the concept of energy(qi) and the balance of yin and yang. Many therapeutic practitioners are into so many things that have no connection whatsoever. Its too distracting for me.

Everything I had been through spiralled together when I met the man who healed me(read miracle). Especially because I learned to heal with my hands. I have been able to apply my life’s experiences and knowledge to my healing in order to help people. It helps to relate to those you help. Ive worked with children and they are most sensitive to energy in their body. One child with red hair I worked with had empathed his mother’s condition and it caused problems with him.  read my article on empaths

Never having been one to sit still for meditation, I found that chi gong (qigong) because its a moving meditation is great because I can practice in and have a connection to nature. Im 48 and feel better than I ever have thanks to the practice of chi gong. My teacher passed down to me a holistic ancient practice that is great for everyone. Its my duty to pass it along.

Kids like us, especially redheads,  need more experiential learning. In other words, being physically involved in the learning process. The school days of my youth were a nightmare having to sit still for hours on end. Returning to college in my 30’s, I was hailed by my professors and not kicked out of classes for talking because I was able to communicate my life’s experiences with respect to the subject at hand. Nowadays, practicing chi gong  and self-tuina every day helps keep me calm.  I am lucky to find an occupation that allows me to travel because Im still like Tom Sawyer, looking for another adventure.

Adventures of a Redhead

Growing up as a redhead was sure an adventure!

I remember trying to be an altar boy but I failed at that or least received too many dirty looks by the pastor-I grew up catholic in Mendota Heights Minnesota- when I messed up bringing the chalice or water or wine. “no dammit, the wine first!”, he said. I didnt like being in front of all those people either. Looking back now, I know why, I am an empath and really sensitive too, doesnt help being a redhead either. However, I still believed in what they taught me about Jesus Christ, like not judging and not being into material possessions, taking it on the other cheek.

Then I moved to Billings Montana and they made me go to confirmation classes until I was 18. The pastor who taught the class would turn off the lights and we would sit in the dark for awhile before he lit a candle. It never failed, my friend, who suffered through it all as well, and I would start to laugh. I couldnt help it. The pastor would always question our thinking about God, he would say, “well that doesnt prove that God exists.” I thought he was atheist.

During my junior and high school days, what a nightmare, my dad had bought a used set of Encyclopedia Britannicas and I would spend a lot of time reading about different religious philosophies. Zen really interested me. It taught me to be aware of the moment. It wasnt that I wasnt spiritual, I just thought that so many people were hypocrits who were religious. My grandfather would preach on me about God, oh and patience. I did learn patience though, years later, because I have like that stupid disorder that they have labeled attention-deficit.

ADD could have come from many things, probably the violence I watched as a kid didnt help. Man I had a lot of anger inside of me when I was younger. I ended up moving over 30 times and still on the move. Many of my friends, men and women, met me because I seem to have this patience and empathy for people who have been through trauma of some sort. Ive heard many confessions throughout the years, stories that they never had told anyone else. Im glad I could listen because sometimes you just need someone to not judge you for your actions.

One thing that has stuck with me since a child is this instinctive knowledge about Viking mythology. I would listen to thunder at night as a child and see Thor pounding his hammer, before I even knew who that was. Throughout my life, Ive read all the viking stories, and believe that I was a shaman in another life about a thousand years ago. Probably explains why I dont really fit into this life of electronics, damn computers and the media. Thank Oden that I met another person, my woman, who knows all the mythology too and thinks she is from another time too as a viking. By the way, where is my ship with the cool fire breathing dragon.

So I am glad I met this holistic counselor when I moved to San Diego. She helped me to believe in myself and in doing so really met God. It felt like a true loving force had warmed my heart up for the first time. Well everything  changed after that. I decided to try to take charge of my life and defy fate. I created a lot of havoc along the way, such as saying to hell with my family who treated me like a red-haired stepchild-oh yeah thats because I am one. Had some real crazy relationships and Im glad I know the difference of having the right one now! But I experienced and heard first hand of all the traumas that women can go through. It doesnt pertain to being a man or woman, both can do a lot of mean things to others.

Then Im back in Montana, who could believe, and I get struck by lightning. Maybe not the full blast, but a streamer had formed up out of my head as I felt the hair on the back of neck and back stand on end. I thought a dragon was going to get me. I jumped into this bus that I was living in, out of instinct, as fast as I could, but the lightning flash had blinded me and I was holding onto the railing in the stairwell for dear life, deafened by the thunder. I shook in fear as I couldnt see anything but the psychedelic lights tripping in front of my eyes. It struck an electric pole, 10 feet away.

Did I mention the Metrodome incident? Ever since being attacked by a mob of people for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, I sustained a pretty bad concussion from a kick to the head and my memory is a little sketchy. At least I remember some things. Not to mention that I havent felt the same ever since, such in a way that makes you feel a little disconnected from your spirit, the person who you were before, that leaves you searching. During the incident, I had to make a decision to run or to fight. I didnt think I could get away from this out -of-nowhere mob that was running and screaming at me, for what I couldnt figure out. So I fought. I dont really remember-the concussion remember- the only thing is that I got thrown around like a ragdoll and some asshole ripped my face with his fingernails. But my brother said I was fighting like a beserker and sending people flying. Thank God when I heard him yell ‘cops!’ and the mob stopped. However, they werent through yet and jumped me again. This is where I got the kick from some big dude with old fashioned sneakers. He decided to run at my bro too, but got the best revenge I ever saw when he took a kick to the nuts from my brother. God rest my brothers soul, as he died a few years ago from an overdose on crystal-meth.

I heard that my brother saved me when I was a baby too. I had crawled into the water and was floating face down when he ran and jumped over a dock and rescued me. Thats deep! I wouldnt be here writing this if he… Well makes up for leaving me alone when I was still in the crib and turning the lights off when they-older brothers, like around 10 years, were babysitting me. I crawled under the crib and cried myself asleep. That was the last time they babysat me. I wonder why?

Oh yeah, getting back to the metrodome event. My face looked like I had went through a car windshield and I had to fly back to San Diego. People were staring at me in horror asking what had happened. The bartender lady at the airport in Kansas bought me a drink-how nice that was when I was feeling really low. I have never been a person to get into brawls but it was amazing how many people that I knew thought I started it. Just what I wanted to do-start a fight with a mob!

When I had moved to Montana in 1980 just before Mt St Helens volcano blew and spread ash all over, the teachers there thought I was stupid and put me into this group of kids who caused a lot of problems-strangely they were pretty smart. In Minnesota, I was in the top 3 of my class and they really thought I was the cream of the crop. After that, school was never exciting anymore until I went back to college after my car accident. Thats later. I was getting beat by the teachers and my parents. Makes me think of that Pink Floyd song, “we dont need no education… teacher leave those kids alone.” Also Tom Sawyer, who in a movie presentation as a redhead, also red hair stepchild, is sung about by Aunt Polly about how it didnt matter how many scoldings and whippings she gave him, he just wouldnt learn to be tame. By the way, Mark Twain had red hair too. Yes I know they always show him having white hair, but he had to be young at some age. Ok so in the 12 years of school all I learned was how to read and write-well sort of-oh and wow, add too. Damn could have learned that at home. I learned more from my grandparents who were farmers. They made everything for themselves like food and clothes. Like how to survive.

When you are tired of being beat when you are trying to be good, I gave in. This new kid from out of state, who really was a troublemaker, came along in junior high, we became friends and Oh Lord, did we cause a scene. This leads to one story of being chased by another mob of people. They saw us putting up letters on the board in the middle of the football field. A bus returning with students off on a venture, drove by in the middle of the night just as we were in the middle of our venture. I didnt think they would see us because it was dark, but from out of nowhere they were running through the entrance to the field. I know Im not cut out to be a bad person because when Im doing something that makes me scared, I start to laugh. So we were running being chased by this mob with me laughing all the way. I couldnt jump the fence in my laughter, but luckily my friend yelled at me in the nick of time and I made it over. Gets my heart pumping just thinking about that one. Oh yeah, we wrote “with pride, fuck West!’

Reading this again, I just remember going to this Irish bar named Luckys at the age of 16 before confirmation classes in order to make it through the darkness. Once a priest who was Irish, must have smelled the beer, and instead of scolding me, told me about his days when he abused alcohol. Ive never forgot that story. He was a good man.

What Redheads are Really Like

Forget all those lists describing the characteristics of redheads for the moment. What they don’t talk about in the grand scheme of things is what those characteristics really translate to. Deep down it comes down to this- we are uncomfortable in our skin and we need to run wild. Look at those berserkers who ran naked into battle- think redhead.

erikthered
Eric the Red, the fierce red-haired Viking who discovered Greenland about AD 982. NB: Scan of small illustration.

On the move with the Vikings as they scoured all over Europe and even North America. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder was about redheads except its not a disorder its just we don’t want to sit still and be brainwashed like the rest of ’em. Look at Tom Sawyer, a redhead who has an awesome exploration of the Mississippi looking at all the crazy lives of Americans. You might say that he was fictional but it was probably a story about the life of the author himself- Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain- yes a redhead.

 

 

Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll was about a typical red-haired life. Hey which rocker is still kicking and partying and looks good- only the red rocker Sammy Hagar. Sammy-Hagar-ASTRODOME-June-19-1983-by-Mark-Bowman-ImagesLets not forget the Outlaw Jesse James- yes he was redhead. He fought against the man for his neighbors because why- its just a red-haired thing to do. We can’t help but seek out the passion in life which leads to sex. Just look at the evidence- there are redheads all over the world. What I have noticed is that somehow I bring out the wild side of people when they around me. It’s not my fault if got into trouble. I wonder if Loki was a redhead?

Gingers of the World, Unite!

Udmurtia Redhaired festivalGingers of the World, Unite!

This is the motto of a red-haired festival in a location that might surprise: Russia. The Udmurtia ethnic nation claims to have the most red hair outside Ireland.

At first thought, the idea of redheads uniting around the world was a little perplexing. What would be the purpose? Personally, would I want to be around a bunch of people like myself? I guess I relish being unique in the world. In fact it might be a little scary, the thought that our red hair might all catch on fire or a big fight might break out. Perhaps take over the world!

Redheads are Fiery!

erikthered
Eric the Red, the fierce red-haired Viking who discovered Greenland about AD 982. NB: Scan of small illustration.

When redheads are described, usually words of energy come to mind, like fiery, hot-tempered and flaming. Picture Vikings raiding seacoast villages and establishing trade routes throughout Europe. Even the country name, Russia, where Vikings sailed on the Volga River, means ‘to row.’ The Vikings traveled far and wide, from North America to the Mediterranean. Ancient redheads are known to have traveled worldwide, evidenced in the discovery of red-haired mummies found everywhere, including South America and China.

Studies have shown that redheads have a propensity for hyperactivity. An Israeli psychiatrist, Dr Michael Bar, reported that redheaded children are three to four times more likely than others to develop hyperactivity. He said, “it’s possible that the assumed national characteristics of certain ethnic groups, like the adventurousness of the Vikings and the temperament of the Irish, are connected to the high frequency of redheads among them.”

marsRedheads are from Mars?

Astrologers claim there is a connection between the red planet Mars and the fiery nature of people with red hair. Redheads are notorious for their well-known hot-tempered, high strung and sensitive natures. In astrology, if the planet Mars is in your charts, it has the affect of placing fiery, competitive and almost explosive tendencies into your behavior.

So if you are a redhead with many interests, ie ‘too many irons in the fire,’ don’t worry, it’s a redhead thing.

 

 Places where you should encounter red hair!

montana renfest

Billings, Montana June 2-3, 2018

 

gingestfest in boise

Gingerfest V in Boise, Idaho on June 8th, 2018

 

redhead_days_chicago

Redhead Days in Chicago, Illinois on July 6-8, 2018

Redheads Unite of Colorado

Redheads Unite in Colorado on July 14, 2018

 

Viking Days in Seattle on July 14th.

 

 

Celtic-Fest-Top-BadgeNew

Celtic Festival Missoula, Montana on July 28, 2018

 

irish fair mn logo

Irish Festival, St. Paul, Mn Aug 10-12, 2018- Good times!

 

vista viking fest banner

 

Vista Viking Festival, Vista, Ca Sept. 22-23, 2018-  I highly recommend this event.

 

redhead days
Redhead Days in the Netherlands

 

redhead picnic

Redhead Picnic in Dunbar West Virginia in September 2018

 

Red Hair Redhead Resources

Irish News https://www.irishcentral.com/

Celtic Gods & Goddesses http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/celticdeities/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_redheads

https://gingerparrot.co.uk/

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Redheads-Myths–Legends–and-Famous-Red-Hair

http://www.themythsandhistoryofredhair.co.uk/heresy.html

http://www.irishoriginsofcivilization.com/

gingerism.com

http://hotforginger.com/ginger-news/

http://www.thegingernet.com/

RANGA (Red And Nearly Ginger) http://www.ranga.net.au/

http://leagueofextraordinaryredheads.com

http://www.icollectgingers.com/manifesto-of-gingers/

 

 

 

Life as a Red-haired Stepchild.

Growing up as the red-haired stepchild, literally, was tough. My own mom didn’t even like me. Neither of my parents had red hair. Getting called carrot top was the norm and it sucked. I would get blamed for everything and I was treated as a bad child even though I was a good. Other parents, teachers, priests, I guess people of authority looked down on me. I remember getting kicked out of class anytime someone talked to me. I spent most of the year in my desk in the hall looking in through the door. I became good friends with the principal.

The allergies started when I was 13 and they only worsened until I discovered that they were caused by milk and wheat. Acupuncture was the best treatment of all. In addition, I have a sensitive digestive system, its called irritable bowel syndrome now. They did not have a label for attention deficit disorder back when I was growing up. Good thing as I would not want to be put on any mental medication. Who knows what that would have done? I would spend the whole day mesmerized on the first day of snow. Every time I went to the dentist, I would really get high on the laughing gas although the drilling was still painful. I talk to people who never feel any pain at the dentist. Must be nice.

The negative attention stopped when I let my hair grow out. Everyone thinks I look like Sammy Hagar. He can’t look that bad. Maybe all redheads are related. Strangely, I find red haired women attractive, but have never wanted to date one. I wonder if its genetic. I love the exotic type.

I began to notice that other people liked to tell me their problems. I was watching a Dr Who episode where the Amazon lady states, “When you get a cut, look for the man with the most scars.” I guess that relates to me. Being a redhead makes you somewhat jaded and tough. I have the most wry sense of humor and its helped me stay mentally afloat. In my ’30’s I began to have shamanic experiences and have since been on a spiritual journey in that direction. Must have been the laughing gas. Yes I do feel like I am from another planet because I just can’t get over all this need for the material satisfaction. Personally I love to be in the mountains surrounded by large pine trees in the whispering winds with a spring of bubbling water nearby or by ocean watching the endless waves as the setting sun simmers and shimmers.

People with red hair have many different traits than the general population. I wanted to list my traits and see how they compare to other redheads. Here goes:

  •  ADD/ADHD
    • It is so funny watching myself getting so crazy and all over the place making this website
  • Curly locks
  • Allergies
  • Fiery
  • Food sensitivities
  • Search for deeper answers
  • Blushing
  • Empath
  • Burn easy in the sun
    • I think is related to ability to produce Vitamin D
    • I don’t think I am affected by SAD-seasonal affected disorder-as much as others because I like all kinds of weather- or maybe I am
  • High sex energy
  • Attuned senses
  • ESP
  • Some intelligence
  • Get a lot of attention- good and bad
    • Yeah, gingerism is real, I prefer the good attention
  • Do not like following the rules
  • Interested in alternative diets and medicine because the normal has not worked
  • Environmentally sensitive
  • Hate the dentist
  • Have dealt with depression
  • Love music
  • Experimented with alcohol and drugs
  • Love being in nature
  • Blue eyes
  • Strong and fast
    • Goes with have to being smart in order to survive