this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2024
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Contradicted by evidence, some years ago.
A study in a dental clinic used measurement of local-anaesthetic to measure how pain-sensitive redheads are..
It took .. was it 10% more? Definitely more, pain-killer for the redheads.
The genetic-defect which codes for red-hair, and splotchy-skin, also codes for being more pain-sensitive.
It also explains why redheads are "more reactive" as lifelong-pain-sensitized people naturally would be, doesn't it?
( I look Irish: my hair's gone white, but the fur on my arms is still orange )
I dont much about this topic, but isnt anesthesia efficacy different from a person's pain threshold?
I talk to anaesthetists though work and they say us redheads need more to be kept under. It's my anecdotal experience with local as well, I always tell dentists and other non specialists that I need more than usual, they never believe me and then they have to give me additional shots later cuz it still hurts. Some try to perform the procedure anyway, which I usually can't cope with, so I'm not so sure I can handle pain better than others.
It's not contradicted necessarily. If redheads feel pain more often, then they have probably had to cognitively deal with higher levels of pain and may just be able to do it. Similar to how Buddhist monks can self immolate without reacting - cognitive practice at enduring discomfort.
I inherited my skin tone from my dad, a redhead, and I have to get extra anesthesia as well. I mentally handle pain VERY well (I've had doctors comment on my high pain tolerance), but it still hurts horrifically. I also think I have a much stronger itch response like many of my redheaded friends. The point is, I'm 100% FEELING that pain and then some, but I'm so used to feeling intense pain that I've gotten good at gritting my teeth through it.
There's an important distinction to be made between pain threshold (when a sensation is recognised as painful) and pain tolerance.
Were the dentists trying to find out how much was needed for the subject to notice the painful stimulus, or for them to no longer be able to tolerate it?