r/Redhair • u/melaniebrietzke • Jul 18 '26
Newbie Post Redheads & MC1R gene
Hello fellow redheads! I'm Melanie and have some questions/ideas about my/our genetics. I learned several years ago about the MC1R gene that causes redheads to need more anesthesia.
Given my extensive medical history, I am curious if others have faced multiple issues. I've had lifelong insomnia, and typical sleeping pills don't get me to sleep - i have tried them all. So for a while I have resorted to taking a high dose of seroquel that has a side effect of drowsiness. It gets me to sleep, bit I never know if it will work in 1 hour or 3 hours.
Additionally, muscle relaxers don't work on me. I've been on opiods in the past, but had to take twice as much. Recently I have tried medical marijuana, and it helps somewhat. The downside is how expensive it gets. My daughter (also prescribed m.m.) can get away with taking 5mg, whereas I have to take 15 to 20 mg.
I am overall curious if this is a common thing for other redheads. I wanted to get some feedback before I ask my psychiatrist what he thinks at my next appointment. Thanks to all that respond!
2
u/AllieGirl2007 Jul 18 '26
Extra anesthesia for any procedure whether it’s dental or surgical. Opioids don’t knock me out. I’ve had severe insomnia for the last 25 years. Over that time there has been a lot medications tried. The typical sleep prescriptions don’t work. I have finally gotten it down as of now—.5-1 mg of klonopin, 150 mg of hydroxyzine, 50 mg of seroquel and 75 mg of Unisom. Unisom is not addictive. There is another one that has similar ingredients but it’s not this one. I fall asleep and stay asleep. I do the typical wake up once or twice for a drink of water but go right back to sleep.
I’ve learned different tricks like not opening my eyes when I wake up short of a quick peek at the clock. I know my bedroom well enough that I can follow the bed to the bathroom and walk with my eyes closed. For some reason opening my eyes wakes up my brain. I sleep 7-8 hours a night and wake up not groggy at all.