Can Drug Tolerance Be Hereditary or Genetic?
Question by Jacob Groome: Can drug tolerance be hereditary or genetic?
I ask because a friend of mine has an insane tolerance to drugs he’s never even done before, usually only pills.
I was thinking it could be a chemical imbalance, because his father was heavily addicted to drugs, heroin specifically. From what we can tell, it seems to be only opiates and disassociatives that he is unaffected by, where marijuana causes him to become intoxicated as does alcohol.
Could it be the manner of ingestion? Or would is it likely or even possible that his tolerance is hereditary?
Best answer:
Answer by amybeader
Tolerance to different substances can be genetic and/or hereditary. Different ethnic groups may also have differences in how they react. For example, I’m an Ashkenazy Jew (Eastern European) by heritage, and as such, many drugs are not effective (especially the opiate family) or take higher doses to be effective, or wear off faster. I used to have trouble convincing dentists that novacaine would wear off quickly and I would require a higher dose or repeated doses (the newer “caine” drugs work better). I have a friend for whom NO anesthetics work, or only work weakly.
It can also be the manner in which drugs are administered.
Answer by Kalene Mia
I have wondered this alot myself, it happens to me I have an extremly high tolerance to EVERYTHING.
And my dad is a heavy drinker and has a crack addiction, my sister is also a big drinker.
I could take 3 oxy 80’s and feel okay, but then I smoke weed and I go crazy.
I think all people are different, chemicals and all, if you do figure this out completly let me know
cuz thats how I am too.
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