Why Does Weed Cause Red Eyes?
Getting red eyes is one of the clear, immediate signs that you've smoked cannabis. At least for those in the know. While red and dry eyes from using weed can be irritating enough, it's nothing too serious to worry about. In this article, we look over the reasons why people sometimes have red and droopy eyes after using weed, and what can you do so that you don't look like a bloodshot rabbit every time you toke or munch space cookies.
Red eyes or weed eyes are one of the most common side effects from smoking cannabis. In simple words, red and droopy eyes are caused by changes in the blood pressures in the ocular area. Not everyone will necessarily experience red eyes, but a lot of users do.
So, what happens when you get red eyes after smoking weed? THC lowers the blood pressure in the body, affecting even the smallest capillaries in the area surrounding your eyes. The ocular capillaries slightly enlarge because of the THC, and that increases the blood flow to the eyes. This creates a drop in the intraocular pressure.
While red eyes might be irritating for some users, it’s generally harmless. Those people with naturally high blood pressure may not experience this drop, therefore they are less likely to experience red eyes. On the other hand, what glaucoma patients aim in cannabis treatment is exactly that accompanying drop in eye pressure.
Do You Get Red Eyes Only When You Smoke Weed?
All types of THC-laced products can cause red eyes in cannabis users. So, it’s not like you get stoned eyes only from smoking joints and pre-rolls. Even CBD products can sometimes cause pinkish and red coloration. It’s just the impact that cannabinoids have on your blood pressure and the blood flow to the eyes while under the influence of marijuana.
The stronger the cannabis strain or product you are using, the more pronounced the red eyes reaction might be. Although, there could be a couple of other factors contributing to whether you get stoned eyes or not. Such as whether you stay for a long time in the room where you smoked without ventilating, also whether you take enough liquids, or drink alcohol and smoke tobacco together with the weed, so on and so forth.
Cannabis allergies could also manifest with red and dry eyes, although probably there will be other accompanying symptoms as well, such as nasal congestion, cough, sneezing or hives. Allergic reactions to smoke may also be due to smoke from electronic cigarettes, other tobacco products, or even burning incense sticks.
How to Get Rid of Stoned Eyes Fast?
Red eyes might be irritating and incredibly frustrating, especially when you want to hide that you’ve used cannabis. However, it’s pretty much a harmless sign that you’ve used weed and there are several things that you can do. You might not be able to stop it entirely while under the influence, but you can try and mask it.
Use eye drops
The fastest and most convenient way to get rid of stoned eyes fast is to use eye drops. There are many products that you can find for this little issue at your local pharmacy; from ‘artificial tears’ to unique formulas for red eyes that can help cleanse and cool the eye, and reduce redness, itching, and droopiness. If the redness doesn’t go away immediately after applying eye drops, repeat the treatment in half an hour.
Drink plenty of water
That is the golden rule to follow when smoking pot. Water can save you from many side effects that may result from using weed. Dry eyes that turn into red eyes is a common adverse reaction from weed. Marijuana generally promotes dryness in the body, so in turn you have to compensate for that by taking in more liquids.
Get some fresh air
Your red weed eyes won’t get any better if you stay in the room where you smoked without opening a window. Or even better, taking a nice walk around your neighborhood can modulate your blood pressure and help the red eyes disappear faster.
Cold compress
Applying something cold around the areas of your eyes or even washing your face with cold water can help reduce the redness and tension by shrinking the blood vessels in the ocular area. A cold compress works well for many cases of eye infection or other issues like redness and stinging in the skin around the eyes. Therefore, it can work as well for high eyes.
Do nothing
After all, red eyes from using cannabis are not that harmful. Therefore, you don’t have to do anything special if it doesn’t bother you. When you notice that this is something that brings you unwanted attention, put on your sunglasses if appropriate. Or don’t smoke weed for the time being if you expect to meet with other people and who may notice that something is wrong with your stoned eyes.
Also read on Soft Secrets:
- How to Deal with Dark Thoughts When High?
S
Stephen Andrews
