Women more resistant to anesthetic than men, finds study

Sex hormones may contribute to increased anesthetic resistance in women compared with men, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. General anesthetics exert their hypnotic effects partly by modulating the activity of hypothalamic circuits, which regulate sleep and wakefulness.

​Sex hormones may contribute to increased anesthetic resistance in women compared with men, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. General anesthetics exert their hypnotic effects partly by modulating the activity of hypothalamic circuits, which regulate sleep and wakefulness.