I TOLD THEM, AND I TOLD THEM, and I told them again. And still the doctors did not listen. I awakened during procedures; worse, I never fell asleep. Then, finally, science backed me up and I had something to show my doctors before they brushed away my claims of both needing more anesthesia and feeling more pain than most people. Turns out that I am one of a rare breed of mutants who does. Are you?
Redheads. We know we are different. Getting others to know it too has always been an issue. And while I wrote about all of this in my book, The Roots of Desire, pieces of this research keep resurfacing, each time causing the same astonishment. People are shocked to learn that redheads are actually a breed apart, though any redhead could have told you that.
Now we can tell you why, since last week the story was back, this time on CNN health. This time relating the inability to knock out a redhead with her fear of dentistry. Well, duh. And while any redhead could have told you that we are harder to subdue than any blonde ever wished to be, now we can show you the facts on why.
Related posts:
First time here? Here's the idea: 
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
My first crush was on a redheaded gal in 4th grade. I have always been partial to redheads. I dearly love my wife but she isn’t a redhead. I guess one wasn’t around at the right time. I agree redheads are different. It is nice to live where a few are always moving around in a crowd. I would rather see a redhead than a blond in a crowd. Am I abnormal? I don’t think so. I just relate better to redheads.
Hey, Glenn: Welcome to TSP. Glenn, it’s people like you who make people like me put up with the pain and lack of anesthesia. Thank you. Someone who appreciates redheads is always welcome in any crowd. Check out the other redhead links on TSP here, and read up on what you’ve missed. And please do come back and hang out with us.
I have an intense fear of the dentist. It’s so bad that I used to lock my mother out of the car when we arrived at the dentist’s office. When I would have a cavity they put me under with laughing gas and numbed me to a point where I literally could not feel my face, all the way through to my ears. It’s a big problem for us redheads :)
As a side note, I read THE ROOTS OF DESIRE when it first came out, (I was in highschool), and it made me feel like I wasn’t so alone in the world. That may sound incredibly corny, but it’s also very true! Thank you for researching and writing it, made a big impact on me.
Hi, Erin: And welcome to TSP. Ah, another redhead. How lovely. And thanks for the kind words about the book. it was a hoot to write. So sorry about your dental fear, but at least you know there is good reason for it. Please come back soon, and if you have not done so already, please check out all the other redheads posts on TSP here.
Read that article too about pain and redheads. Finally some validation. My redhead daughter has a story about visiting a dentist recently who got upset with her because of her anxiety/discomfort about the procedure. Of course he blamed it on her being a redhead and her temperament….made ME mad!
Anyway, I’m SO glad you started a “sisterhood of redheads.” My redhead daughter says when she spots another redhead she is drawn to them and goes up and says hello. I guess I feel that way too just as a ‘mom of redheads. ‘ What a blessing to have been chosen for that gift…. Redheads and families with redheads have that common bond I guess. I always cry when I see other beautiful redhead kids… Maybe I should start a ‘sisterhood of moms of redheads’??
Hi, Debra. So lovely to see you back on TSP. And so glad the redhead study bought you some validation. Oh, give me that dentist’s address and I’ll show him a redhead’s temperament. Grrrr. Yes, it’s a blessing to be a redhead, and to be the mother of them must be a hoot, as well. Enjoy it, sister. And wear your color proudly. I think a sisterhood of moms of redheads is a fine idea. And timely, since we are very popular again, aren’t we? Come back soon, Red. Lovely to read you here.
Hi Marion,
I’m new to the sister project, and found it through your sister Margaret’s garden blog website which I came across in a twitter search. Now then… I am happy to have found a redhead section…
I am a mother of 2 redheaded daughters, one who just turned 20 and is a sophomore in college, and one who just turned 17 and is a junior in high school. Personality-wise (if that’s even a word), they couldn’t be more different. The older one loves her red hair and green eyes. Her hair is a deeper shade of red, really shiny, thick and wavy. The younger one wants to dye her hair, which is a lighter shade of red, less full, but still wavy. I think they’re both beautiful, of course. Neither has the freckles that are often seen with red hair, but I still have freckles, and I was blond.
Neither my husband or I have red hair, but I know it is on both sides of our family. I have heard that it is recessive and it needs to be on both sides to occur. My side of the family is Welsh, English and Scottish. My husband’s is Irish and German.
I do have a ‘thing’ for redheads because of my daughters. When they were small, I tried to find them redheaded Barbies and other dolls, including all sorts of Raggedy Anns, old and newer versions. I had a book by Johnny Gruelle, the person who invented Raggedy Ann & her stories for his daughter who was ill; given to me by my grandmother when I was small. After we read the original, we searched for more. It was a fun period.
Incidentally, my father’s mother, the grandma that gave me the Raggedy Ann book, name was Marion. My husband’s mother’s name was also Marion. Both Marions had mothers that were named Alice.
I forgot to mention that my older redhead is majoring in journalism so I will be sure to tell her about this redhead website. Thank you so much.
Gwen
Hi, Gwen, and welcome to TSP and the sisterhood of the redheads. You tell those girls to live their color. Tell ‘em I told you to tell ‘em, and if that if they do, they’ll thrive. Oh, the only redhead Barbie I ever found was really a Midge–of course, the daring one, remember? I love your family history and how much we seem to have in common here. I’m about to start posting some history of redheads updates, so do check back soon. What most people don’t know about redheads literally can fill a book. Hope to see you soon again.
Not only do I have this book AND struggle to be affected by sleep aids… I pull out my redhead barbie pretty much every time I’m bored. See here: http://glammed.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-in-life.html
Hello, Elledee, and welcome to TSP, where one of our favorite sisterhoods is that of red hair. Have you seen the site featured here? Have a look, and then come back and share some more of your own red hair moments with us. Love the Barbie photos on your site. Very nice. I keep a redheaded Barbie on my desk at all times. So funny. Hope to see you soon.
Wow! This explains alot of things….I’ve had a few surgical episodes of baffling the docs at the amount of anesthesia I require. I watched my colonoscopy live from start to finish with the nurse worrying over me. Everyone in recovery was knocked out cold while i awake and ready to go home.
Good to know that is isn’t just me!
Hi, Cindy: And welcome to TSP, where we love our red-haired sisters. I’m so glad it was helpful. Stay tuned for more on redheads in the coming year. Did you see this, by the way? Hope so.
I was told I was a “bleeder” because of my red hair and fair skin, when I was nursing my kids. I was scabbing and cracking. Not sure if anyone else heard that. My hair was a deep red as a young child, and later was more brown with red highlights, so I am not claiming to be a true redhead, but I do have the fair skin and freckles. I also need an extra 2 shots of novocain and an extra 20 min. to numb up.
Hi, Tracey. I know. I do know. And I sympathize. But thank goodness this info is getting out there, yes? Also, there are all those other advantages to our color, aren’t there? Enjoy it, Red. And live your color.
I am as redheaded as they get, and I need extra time and extra shots at the dentist to get numb – and I can STILL feel them working in there!
Hi, Abbey. And welcome to TSP, where I feel your pain, I do, I have, and I suspect I’ll feel that pain in the future. We are so glad you are here. I’ll get some new redhead posts going soon, though in the interim, please have a look around.