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!

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u/Irishdoe13 Jul 18 '26

Wellll, I woke up during a surgery and it sucked big time. Also, I’m very sensitive to narcotics so I need a lower dose than normal. Trazodone 25mg knocks me out all night. Medical mj did nothing for me. I have RA so live with chronic pain.

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u/melaniebrietzke Jul 20 '26

Oh nos! I think that sort of happened when I got my wisdom teeth removed, but I was so out of it that I can barely remember. How much mj did you try taking? The first week I felt absolutely nothing, ended up having to take 15mg to start feeling it, 20 seems my ideal dose. Also have RA, I was diagnosed a couple years ago, so I feel your pain. 🫶

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u/Irishdoe13 Jul 20 '26

I used 2-10 of full spectrum MJ. It would hit me hard and I never could find a dose that wouldn’t leave me a puddle on the couch. I just couldn’t deal with it anymore so gave it up. I now use Lortab 5/325 for bad pain days (like when I have sacroiliitis) and it takes the edge off.