Redheads need higher doses of anesthetic to be sedated than people with other hair colors.

Is it true that Redheads need higher doses of anesthetic to be sedated than people with other hair colors?

Yes. A narrative review and a clinical reference state that people with red hair generally require higher doses of anesthetic than people with other hair colors, and a small 2004 study found a significantly greater desflurane requirement in redheaded women. A separate review notes an increased need for hypnotics in redheads but calls the overall evidence inconclusive.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 4 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Why Do Redheads Need More Anesthesia?. (n.d.). health.clevelandclinic.org. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-redheads-need-more-anesthesia

A, A., E, F., M, A., M, W. S., C, S., & P, J. (2024). Red-Haired People's Altered Responsiveness to Pain, Analgesics, and Hypnotics: Myth or Fact?-A Narrative Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060583

Anesthetic Requirement is Increased in Redheads - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-200408000-00006

CR, M., VE, P., BL, F., AT, S., & M, A. (2024). A Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy of Local Anesthetics and Systemic Anesthetics in the Red-Headed Versus Non-Red-Headed Patient Population: A Comprehensive Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.61797