Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red
Key Takeaways – Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red
🌿 Cannabis can cause red eyes, but the exact mechanisms behind this are not fully understood.
👁️ THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, binds to cannabinoid receptors in the ciliary muscle of the eye, causing it to relax and dilating blood vessels.
💊 CBD, another compound found in cannabis, has anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects that can help to reduce redness.
🌬️ Environmental factors such as dry air or smoke exposure can also contribute to high eyes.
🧐 Certain strains of cannabis may have higher levels of compounds that contribute to red eye.
👩⚕️ In most cases, red eyes from cannabis use are not dangerous, but it is important to seek medical attention if you experience severe or prolonged redness, pain, or vision changes.
💡 To reduce the likelihood of experiencing red eyes after using cannabis, you can use cannabis with a higher CBD to THC ratio, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, and avoid smoking cannabis.
💊 To quickly reduce redness in the eyes caused by cannabis, you can use over-the-counter eye drops containing tetryzoline or use caffeine stimulants such as coffee or dark chocolate.
🤔 Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind red eyes from cannabis use.
What Causes Red Eyes When Smoking Weed?
One of the most noticeable effects of smoking marijuana is the redness in the eyes shortly after consumption. This is caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is present in marijuana.
THC lowers blood pressure and dilates blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow throughout the body. As a result, the blood vessels in the eyes become larger, causing redness or bloodshot eyes.
Using eye drops that constrict veins, like Lumify, is the best way to reduce redness, rather than using visine which only shrinks arteries. You can purchase Lumify using this Amazon associate link.
What Causes Heavy Eyes When Smoking Weed?
Similar to the reason behind red eyes, THC is responsible for the heavy feeling in the eyes after smoking weed. The lowered blood pressure caused by THC induces relaxation in the body, making it harder to keep the eyes open.
This is also why people tend to feel more lazy after smoking weed. Additionally, the dilated blood vessels increase the amount of blood in the upper eyelid, making it slightly heavier.
Understanding the Effects of Cannabis on Red Eye
Cannabis is well-known for its ability to cause red eyes (high eyes), but why does weed make your eyes red? the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood.
While the most commonly cited reason is the dilation of blood vessels in the eyes, recent research suggests that there may be other factors at play.
The Role of THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It is known to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the eye, specifically the CB1 receptors found in the ciliary muscle.
This muscle controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light that enters the eye. When THC binds to these receptors, it causes the muscle to relax, leading to the dilation of blood vessels in the eye and the characteristic redness.
The Role of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is another compound found in cannabis that has been found to have an effect on red eye.
Unlike THC, CBD does not bind to cannabinoid receptors and instead works through other mechanisms.
Studies have found that CBD can reduce inflammation in the eye and has a vasorelaxant effect, helping to reduce redness.
Can Edibles Cause Red Eyes?
The occurrence of red eyes after consuming cannabis edibles is similar to smoking flowers and depends on the THC content in the product. If the edible has a high THC concentration, such as 50mg, there is a high chance of experiencing bloodshot eyes.
In contrast, edibles with low THC content, such as CBD-infused brownies, are less likely to cause red eyes. The THC from edibles is processed by the liver, which takes longer to get you high and delays the bloodshot eye effect.
The same principle applies to other cannabis products, such as vape cartridges, tinctures, and topicals. If the consumption method contains a significant amount of THC, the cardiovascular system’s reaction may cause red eyes.
On the other hand, using a CBD vape cartridge or CBN tincture is less likely to cause red eyes and reveal your cannabis use.
How To Get Rid of High Eyes from Cannabis Use
To avoid revealing your cannabis use through red eyes, there are several ways to treat this side effect. One option is to use eye drops, which can be found in convenience stores or pharmacies.
Basic eye drops can quickly clear the stoned look off your face. Redness-reducing eye drops contain Tetrahydrozoline or Naphazoline, which artificially constrict blood vessels in the eyes. However, frequent use of these drops may cause dry eyes and increase redness.
Alternatively, increasing water intake can alleviate dryness that may cause red eyes. However, it may take some time for the redness to subside. Lastly, allowing time for the body to metabolize the THC and clear red eyes naturally is an option, but it may take a few hours.
Other Factors
While THC and CBD are the most well-known compounds involved in the development of red eye, there may be other factors at play.
Environmental factors such as dry air or smoke exposure can also cause high eyes. Additionally, certain strains of cannabis may have higher levels of compounds that contribute to red eye.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we now have better context to the question why does weed make your eyes red.
It’s likely a result of a combination of factors, including the dilation of blood vessels caused by THC and the anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects of CBD. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red – FAQ
Q: What do you call high eyes?
A: High eyes, also known as Red eyes are a common side effect of consuming THC.
Q: How long will my eyes stay red?
A: The length of time your eyes will stay red depends on the cause of the redness. Generally, red eyes from allergies or irritation will last 1-2 hours, while red eyes from smoking cannabis can last up to 3-4 hours.
If the redness is caused by an eye infection, such as pink eye, it can last for several days or even weeks. If the redness persists for more than a week or if your vision is affected, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Q: Is it normal for my eyes to be red after using cannabis?
A: Yes, it is common for the eyes to become red after using cannabis due to the dilation of blood vessels caused by THC.
Q: Can CBD help to reduce red eyes caused by cannabis use?
A: Yes, CBD has been found to have anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects which can help to reduce redness in the eyes.
Q: Are there any environmental factors that can cause high eyes after using cannabis?
A: Yes, dry air or smoke exposure can also contribute to red eyes after using cannabis.
Q: Are there certain strains of cannabis that are more likely to cause red eyes?
A: Some strains of cannabis may have higher levels of compounds that contribute to high eyes. It is best to talk to a cannabis professional or do research on specific strains to determine if they are more likely to cause high eyes.
Q: Can red eyes from cannabis use be dangerous?
A: In most cases, high eyes from cannabis use are not dangerous and will go away on their own.
However, if you experience severe or prolonged redness, pain, or vision changes, it is important to seek medical attention.
Q: Can I prevent high eyes from cannabis use?
A: While it may not be possible to completely prevent red eyes, there are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of experiencing red eyes after using cannabis.
These include using cannabis with a higher CBD to THC ratio, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, and avoiding smoking cannabis.
If you need to use medical marijuana before work or a meaningful engagement, plan to allow your body and eyes time to recover from the increased blood flow.
Q: How to get rid of high eyes?
A: Red eyes, also known as high eyes, are a common side effect of using THC-infused marijuana. While this is usually harmless and can be easily reversed with over-the-counter eye drops or other home remedies, it can still be irritating for those who need to use medicinal marijuana on a daily basis.
The most effective way to quickly reduce the redness in the eyes is by using over-the counter eye drops that contain tetryzoline – an alpha agonist which constricts blood vessels and reverses dilation caused by THC.
In addition to this, caffeine stimulants such as coffee or dark chocolate have been found useful in reversing dilation and reducing blood flow towards the eyes while cold water splashes or ice packs help force your body into sending more blood towards its core organs for protection from any potential harm.
Ultimately however if you have enough time patience will allow you wait out until naturally until all effects of THC subside from your system without causing any further issues with redness in your eyes.
Q: Do edibles make your eyes red?
A: Yes, edibles can make your eyes red due to the effect that THC has on your blood vessels. THC is a vasodilator, meaning it causes the walls of arteries to open up, allowing more blood to flow to the eyes.
This increased blood flow is what causes the eyes to become red. Additionally, some edibles contain other ingredients, such as sugar or other chemicals, which can also cause the eyes to become red.
Q: Can high eyes from cannabis use be a symptom of a more serious condition?
A: In most cases, red eyes from cannabis use are not a symptom of a more serious condition.
However, if you experience severe or prolonged redness, pain, or vision changes, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying conditions.
It is important to note that while cannabis can have many potential therapeutic benefits, it is also important to use it responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
In summary, the causes of red eye from cannabis use is multifactorial, with the dilation of blood vessels caused by THC and the anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects of CBD being the most well-known compounds involved.
However, environmental factors and certain strains of cannabis may also play a role. It is important to be aware of the potential side effects of cannabis use and to use it responsibly under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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