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The famous basketball coach Frank Layden is usually credited with the phrase 'you can't teach height,' which perfectly encapsulates the very concept of a so-called 'genetic win.' Indeed, there are countless things in the world that can be learned - but there are also things that we’re simply born with.

Some of us have a phenomenal memory, some can drink lots of booze without getting drunk, and some at the molecular level exude a smell that repels mosquitoes. Finally, some consider their peculiarity a disadvantage, while for others it’s an absolute 'genetic win.' So now please enjoy this selection of self-proclaimed ‘genetic wins’ from various folks in this online thread!

More info: Reddit

#1

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have As a female, my period is 2.5-3 days every time and is regular AF and I've never had extreme pain that accompanied it. Discomfort, sure, but nothing that has kept me from life.

techno-ho , Natracare Report

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martymcmatrix
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...like in those ads where the blood is light blue and the women enjoy a day at the public pool, participate in some track and field championships, as well as trampoline jumping all day long? 🤔

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#2

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have All my grandparents made it to at least 100.

handsthefram , RDNE Stock project Report

#3

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Being born to my parents. Unconditional love is powerful.

fatburger321 , Harrison Haines Report

The genome of each of us is absolutely unique (unless you have a twin sibling), and each of us has physical or mental characteristics that do make us special. The only question is how much these “superpowers” ​​stand out against the general background of our lives, and how much they make our lives easier. We can agree, it would be weird, for example, to have excellent night vision - but at the same time go to bed at sunset and wake up at dawn all your life!

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#4

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Not so much a win for me, but a win for others. I have 0- blood and no diseases, so I can donate to others a lot.

that_gay_with_chains , Nguyễn Hiệp Report

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Con O Cuinn
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Universal donor but can only receive O- blood themselves. Blessing and a curse.

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#5

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I don’t get body odor. I still sweat but no matter how much I sweat I don’t smell. My dad is the same way and it infuriates my sister who did not inherit those genes.

SpontaneousTales , Ana Essentiels Report

#6

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Memory

If I see it, it sticks. Made college really easy, but it’s why my biggest fear in life is getting dementia / Alzheimer’s.

CountOff , Nicola Barts Report

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Sky Render
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can relate. School was a breeze for me and only my refusal to do homework ever got me in trouble (because I didn't see the point in it). I still have a stupidly sharp memory, much to my wife's annoyance.

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By the way, we often “pay” for having any specific innate skills or abilities with the absence of other talents. We don’t need to go far to find an example - let's take me. I have a really excellent text memory - I remember large amounts of information without any problems, I remember facts I heard once a long time ago - but at the same time I have a terrible memory for faces.

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In the old days, it was believed that to acquire special abilities, a person, voluntarily or not, “pays” with otherworldly forces - which is why many sorcerers or shamans in fairy tales or legends may not have a limb or grow old sharply after acquiring magical abilities. For example, the Scandinavian god Odin, as we know, gave his own eye in return for wisdom.

#7

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Mosquitos go for me only if other people are not around. I'm like last resort.

DCFud , Anuj Report

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TheGoodBoi
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucky, I'm the first the go to. They will fight through any mosquito repellant to get to me...

Alethea Fletcher
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Snap! My husband takes one for the team for us...he is a feast for mosquitoes. Interestingly.... we have five children -three are like me. Two are as attractive as him.

TruthoftheHeart
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the same way I'm heavily Cherokee and I was told my blood is quite acidic in pH

Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always wondered about this. Is this genetic? Or is it because of lifestyle choices?

ENSJ
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Certain blood types smell more sweet and are thus more attractive to mosquitos. Type O blood seems to be a mosquitoes' preferred blood type as compared to A, B and AB, but the only significant difference was when it was compared to Type A

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Lupita Nyong'heaux
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same. i can be standing by people and they will be getting eaten alive and i don't get a single bite. strangely enough, this is true in america, but when i was in barbados, they would bite me. now, i'm in mexico, and not a single bite so far. (do they even have mosquitoes here? cuz i haven't seen any or hear people talk about getting bitten. of course, i'm in mérida and it's 103-110 or so every day, so that might have something to do with it. LOL)

Tabitha
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid they ate me alive. Now that I’m older they stay away from me. I guess they just lost their taste for A- blood. At least my A- blood.

ADZ
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father and I are like this. They'll go for my dogs over me. It's bizarre.

Isabel Galvez
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They bite me only if there's none around and they love biting my brother.

Huddo's sister
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me, not getting bitten is because I take vitamin B every day

Eleanor Watcin-Thomas
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Avon's Skin so soft is amazing as a repellent- forget your feet treatment and try it. Mosquitoes love me too but hate the Avon product. Winner!

OnlyMe
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same. And if I am bitten, I don't have a reaction. No itch, nothing.

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Biting bugs hate me. I don't get mosquito bites, never had lice, never had a tick bite. Probably all the whisky I drink but hey.

Anna Drever
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My blood is A+ and mosquitoes will happily munch on hubby ten times as much as me. Whether blood type has anything to do with it. He says he doesn’t know what type he is but I’d guess it’s not the same as myself.

P Lee
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A- and they seldom bite me. I live in wooded Alaska near a huge swamp. Eat too much sugar. The dang bugs do bounce off my glasses tho!

Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same. Mosquitos want nothing to do with me, and on the very rare occasion that I do get bitten all I get is a lump the size of a pinhead which barely itches.

HighNMightyBigshotBossOfWorld
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They don’t go for me EVER, I only know they are out snd about is because other people are complaining. I don’t think I have ever been bitten.

Jimmy Cornillez
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm the opposite. I get all the bites and no one else does if I'm around.

BarkingSquirell
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me, too. Mosquitoes do, indeed, find some people more attractive than others. Dark clothing, blood type, sweat, carbon dioxide, pregnancy, skin bacteria, and beer consumption are some things researchers have found tend to draw mosquitoes to someone. They really do leave me alone.

Kai
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, the more sugar you eat, the more they like you. I thought my friend who told me that was BSing cause she hates sugar, but upon observation....she may be on to something.

Sarah Laurent
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same for me ! That's so cool, tbh <3 I get something like ~5 bites per year max !

OneHappyPuppy
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband is blood type O+, if I'm sitting next to him on a summer night, I'm safe from mosquitoes, him on the other hand... Slather him in Autan and it's hopeless...

Mammie
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beer. Theres that factor too. They love people who drink beer.

Lo Kindred
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same-I also have no bites when I get bit. It leaves a little red mark but that is. I live in South Texas....we have horse mosquitos.

Deirdre McNeil
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can do you one better, I have never ever been bitten by a Mosquito. They land on me occasionally, but never bite!

detective miller's hat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last mosquito that bit me had to book into the Betty Ford clinic. However, when it comes to no-see-ums, I am apparently their version of a gourmet feast.

Carl Oxley
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I on the other hand, am a rapid metabolizer. I get bit long before anyone else. My entire life is: ME: I just got bit by another mosquito. ANYONE WITH ME: What?! I haven't seen any!

Chenga Animates
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All bugs go for me first. Great for butterflies, terrible for mosquitos.

Charlene Wilbur
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hub and daughter get bit all the time. I never get bit unless I'm alone or it's a freaking swarm.

Wondering Alice
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I almost never get bitten. Seems like when I'm on my own, I don't get bitten at all. I might get one or two if I'm close to someone who attracts a lot.

Con O Cuinn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never been bitten my a mozzie. Midges eat the f**k out of me

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#8

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have There's more, but I can feel well rested with just 4-6 hours of sleep. This is due to a genetic mutation present in only 1-3% of the global population.

Dovriath , Александар Цветановић Report

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#9

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Thick hair.

Aside from the downside of *millions* of falling hair everyday, my hair stays hella thick.

_functionalanxiety , Engin Akyurt Report

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Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same! I love my hair and when it's nice (which it rarely is because thick hair is a LOT to take care of) people compliment me on it all the time.

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On the other hand, if you don’t have anything like that, don’t be upset either. Just think about it - the absence of any unpleasant features is already an advantage of sorts. For example, I already wrote that my wife and I both love cats very much, with one significant difference - my wife is allergic to them, and I am not. However, every time I see a cute kitty, I also have to make a difficult but predetermined choice... Well, okay, that wasn’t a successful example!

#10

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I'm immune to poison ivy. I don't get a rash.

ca77ywumpus , James Whitney Report

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UncleJohn3000
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In scouting, we were playing some sort of capture the flag game. Five of us jumped into a ditch to hide and four of us damn near died of poison ivy. That was also the day that I became the official campsite poison ivy remover, a post I held for years.

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#11

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I'm a woman. My leg hairs are so light and thin they're barely visible. Never have I shaved my legs.

Edit: never plucked my eyebrows either. They've been in perfect shape since I was born. I have dark eyebrows and eyelashes.

Aurora_96 , Sora Shimazaki Report

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Serena Myers
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get the leg hair, but my invisible leg hair is down to old age! On the minus side, my eyebrows and eyelashes are invisible as well!!

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#12

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I have highly concentrated taste buds. So I'm classified as a "super" taster. And can discern flavors in just about everything I eat. Same with smells. Probably the reason people say I'm such a good cook. Only 25% of people in the world are super tasters. But I think that's pretty cool.

Spoonthedude92 , animationscreencaps Report

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Ace
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The downside of being a supertaster is that there are many foods that I just cannot abide. Anything bitter, basically, so a lot of veg are borderline, some fruits (e.g. grapefruit) and a lot of drinks. Oh, and goat's cheese, although that's not bitter and may be unrelated to the supertaster thing, idk.

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By the way, do you know what unique superpower you may also have? I’ll tell you: this special ability is to scroll the list to the end and write an interesting comment. Yes, that’s a superpower too! So let's check if you have this superpower! Why not, right?

#13

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Good teeth! Didn't have dental insurance for 7 years, went to dentist, she complimented me on having good strong teeth! Its good genes because I only started flossing at age 40.

Material_Draft5926 , Shiny Diamond Report

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AtMostAFabulist
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are very lucky. I have hit an age where my teeth are cracking. I don't recommend ot.

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#14

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have One I like to flex is I have no allergies 😌

Edit*
Okay, yet. I have no allergies yet 😭 so far in my 28 years. I've been lucky 😌.

hiddendoor_5 , cottonbro studio Report

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AtMostAFabulist
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have adult onset allergies. They started when I was about 35. They get worse over time.

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#15

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Literally got the results back today from a fertility panel that screens for almost 500 disorders and gene mutations and I carry NONE OF THEM. Doc said it’s super rare to not carry even a few recessive issues. Pretty neat! Got to tell my parents they made a near perfect human ;)

Edit to add for everyone: it’s a panel from Natera. You ask your OB or a Genetic Counselor (or geneticist) to order it. Some insurances cover it. Others don’t. I think we’ll end up paying $300 per person for ours. It’s a blood draw and it gets sent to their lab in CA.

Edit 2: please stop telling me to procreate. That’s why we got the testing done. And stop telling me to be an egg donor. Not something that I’m remotely interested in.

Mokelachild , Kelly Sikkema Report

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Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The edits are so funny. Like of course the internet told her to have kids and be an egg donor.🤣

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#16

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Eyelashes. I don't use Mascara because they are so long. .

pookie74 , Tommy van Kessel Report

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Gabby M
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish. Eyebrows, head hair super lacking. But so is leg hair and underarm. Am I lucky or not lol? Also barely any grey @ 64.

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#17

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Both my mother and grandmother had breast and uterine cancer (which they recovered from, thankfully). Due to my family history my primary care provider tested me for the breast cancer genes, and I don't have them! Woohoo!

[Edit: thank you all for your concern. I still get screened. My mother tested positive for the genes and I did not. I know there are other types of breast/uterine cancers and my risk is not zero. I am just happy I have a lower risk of that particular family curse.].

Bwahalla , Anna Tarazevich Report

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Foxglove🇮🇪
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum had breast cancer twice, 10 years apart - triple negative so genetic testing is of limited benefit.

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#18

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Lol I inherited lots of genetic losses but one win is my body type - I've always looked athletic (thin with moderate muscle mass) even when I've been extremely out of shape.

expat_mel , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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#20

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have My genetic flex is great skin. I appreciate it all the time and wish I could brag, lol.

CherryBombO_O , Linda Prebreza Report

#21

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Grey eyes...actual grey not tiktok trendy grey.

Bodatheyoda , ShotPot Report

#22

I’m a twin and my twin is like the other half of my heart. I would feel so lost without that connection, and I’m so grateful.

bullhorn_big*ss Report

#23

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I have never had a headache before.

zBabyHank , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#24

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Low (not abnormally…) blood pressure.

CaliNVJ , Pavel Danilyuk Report

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#25

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Still have all my hair at 52.

Onlyonecantherebe , Amina Filkins Report

#26

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Strong immune system I guess. I barely get ill even though my lifestyle is really unhealthy. Also never got COVID but idk if you can be naturally immune to that, studies are inconclusive as far as I know.

Tsjaad_Donderlul , Sora Shimazaki Report

#27

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I have zero recovery period after spicy times. I just stay ready.

tersty , Pixabay Report

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jeffrey champion
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This entry has -1 votes at the time of writing, is it because people don't like the post, or they're envious?

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#28

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I’ve never had a nosebleed in my life! (Not sure how common or uncommon that is tbh).

Beautiful-Flower-79 , Brittany Colette Report

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Serena Myers
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Neither have I. Nor migraines or headaches. My old mum used to say "Where there's no sense, there's no feeling" which might have something to do with it. Lol.

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#29

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have Calves. I have naturally muscular and shapely calves and I don’t even work them.

Decent-Temperature31 , Marcus Wallis Report

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Con O Cuinn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If OP is overweight, that could also be why. Fat people tend to have jacked calves from lugging our lard asses around.

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#30

My feet do not sweat nor smell.

mozzzz Report

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Hey!
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son's feet smelled so badly that if he tried on some shoes, we had to buy them. Later, I got him to put his feet in vinegar a few times and it went away.

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#31

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I can eat really unhealthy and a lot and not gain weight.

malu_saadi , Robin Stickel Report

#32

No tonsils. Born without 'em.

Theobroma1000 Report

#33

I’m decently healthy both physically and mentally. Granted I’m only 40 so I’ve got some years ahead of me so that will probably change, but right now I feel like I’m in the minority among friends and close coworkers that I am not on prescription meds for anything.

travelingsoul83 Report

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Bec
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom was getting surgery in her 60's and Dr.'s office called because she hadn't filled out her prescriptions list - she wasn't taking any daily prescriptions; guess that is unusual for Americans in their 60s

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#34

Natural muscle size and strength. I’ve been gifted.

Necessary-Fennel8754 Report

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Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother, haha. His bicep is the size of a dinner plate and he has never lifted.

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#35

35 People Who Won The Gene Lottery Share The Traits They Are Happy To Have I don’t get the “Asian Flush/Glow” after drinking.

dedeenxo , Mai Anh Report