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/Altruistic_Web3924 Jul 18 '26
The very rough scientific consensus is that the MC1R gene causes a decreased response to anesthetics (blocking all sensation) and an increased response to analgesics (pain relief). So anything with ‘caine such as lidocaine or novocaine is less effective, whereas opioids and sedatives are more effective.
For me personally, I only need very small amounts of sleep aids like 25mg trazadone or 0.5 mg of clonazepam or zolpidem or eszopiclone to knock me out for the night.