What makes you resistant to anesthesia?

Genetics...: Different individuals may have varying sensitivities to anesthetics. Habitual drug use, especially of narcotics, may lead to the development of tolerance, so that higher doses are needed.

Not enough!: The effects of all medications are dose-related. Some people need more; some need less. If you drink alcohol, your liver may be used to more medications, and thus you may need more anesthesia meds than someone who doesn't drink. The same is true for sedatives like xanax (alprazolam). Tell your anesthesiologist what meds or other substances your body is used to; then we can give you the anesthesia you need.

Every is different: Although some people require will require higher concentrations of anesthesia gas or higher doses of intravenous drugs because of genetic variation or a liver that is "primed" to metabolized (maybe from alcohollconsumption) , most of the time its from not enough of the anesthesia drugs delivered and this can be from many reasons.

If you are : On chronic narcotics or taking an agonist-antagonist medication, you may require higher doses of narcotics to treat your pain. Discuss alternative modes of anesthesia like regional, local and nerve block techniques. Also, have non-narcotic pain relievers incorporated if possible.

Dose dependent: Your liver function, age, weight and previous alcohol or drug use can affect amount of anesthetic you might need. All medications are titrated to the affect, which makes anesthesia very safe. Provide your anesthesiologist with detailed medical history.

Genetics/life style: Resistance to anesthesia is really an urban myth. As in all groups there are people who are really sensitive to some medications/agents, whereas there are other people who are really tolerant. If a patient is exposed to other kinds of chemicals, such as drugs or alcohol, then they will build up a resistance to those agents. This will also transfer over to anesthetic drugs.