British anesthesiologist Jaideep Pandit has highlighted that individuals with red hair often report heat-related pain more intensely and may process certain pain medications differently. These observations have been echoed in several science news outlets, including Live Science, which notes that redheads can exhibit heightened sensitivity to pain and to some analgesics (Live Science).
Current thinking suggests that people with red hair may require up to about 20% more general anesthesia to achieve a calm, sleep-like state during procedures. Opinions vary on how local anesthesia affects red-haired patients, with some practitioners reporting a more pronounced response. In contrast, research indicates that redheads may actually be more sensitive to opioid analgesics such as morphine and fentanyl, demanding careful dosing and monitoring (Live Science).
Pandit explains that red-haired individuals may experience certain pains differently. For burns, these patients often report pain more acutely, while their sensations from electric shocks may feel less intense. These nuanced differences underscore the idea that pain is not identical across all people and can be shaped by genetics and biology (Live Science).
At the center of this discussion is the melanocortin-1 receptor gene, MC1R, which governs the type and amount of pigment in hair, skin, and eyes. A variant associated with red hair is known to produce distinct effects on the nervous system and pain pathways. In mice, a redhead MC1R variant reduces the production of a precursor molecule called POMC in skin cells. POMC is split into several hormones that influence pain sensitivity and opioid receptor activity, helping explain why redheads might respond differently to pain and analgesics (Live Science).
Animal studies have shown that lower POMC levels correlate with greater pain sensitivity while diminishing the effectiveness of some non-opioid pain medications. Researchers thus speculate that similar MC1R-related mutations could influence human pain perception, offering insights into personalized approaches to anesthesia and analgesia for red-haired patients (Live Science).
For practitioners in Canada and the United States, these findings translate into practical considerations for perioperative care. Preoperative assessment should include a thoughtful discussion of a patient’s hair color and presumed pain sensitivity, while recognizing that genetic factors are part of a broader spectrum that includes age, body mass, and concurrent medical conditions. Anesthesiologists may tailor dosing strategies for general anesthesia and closely monitor responses to opioid medications, ensuring safe and effective pain control while minimizing risks (Live Science).
In clinical practice, awareness of potential MC1R-related variations can inform decisions about analgesic plans, including the choice between opioid and non-opioid options, combing local, regional, and systemic approaches as appropriate. Ongoing research continues to explore how genetic differences influence pain thresholds and drug metabolism, with the aim of improving comfort and safety for patients across diverse populations (Live Science).
Ultimately, the connection between red hair, MC1R genetics, and pain modulation highlights how genetics intersects with everyday medical care. While more work is needed to translate these findings into universal guidelines, the current evidence supports a more individualized approach to pain management and anesthesia in red-haired patients, wherever they receive care (Live Science).