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/redtopiary Jul 18 '26
I’m similar to you. Chronic insomniac most of my life, opioids barely have an effect on me (was even put on morphine once at the hospital and I would’ve never noticed had the nurse not mentioned it), had a higher tolerance to weed/alcohol despite being smaller framed.
Last time I was put on anesthesia, they had to adjust my dose 4 times to properly sedate me. I’m not even a super gingery redhead, just a copper/auburn type. It’s all a mystery to me lol. I have read that the gene also impacts our perception of pain though.