Why Does Weed Turn Your Eyes Red?

When THC enters the body, blood pressure is decreased causing blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. The ocular capillaries are no exception and THC intensifies blood flow to the eyes resulting in red eyes after smoking. In fact, it is this very function that makes medicinal cannabis and THC a recommended treatment for glaucoma patients.

Glaucoma and Cannabis

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in intraocular hypertension or increased pressure in the eye. The painful disorder is caused by pressure in the anterior chamber of the eye and can lead to optic damage and blindness if the high pressure is left untreated. The vasodilating properties of marijuana have been found to ease this pressure by causing the tiny capillaries found on the surface of your eye to expand.

THC Levels

The amount of THC in the particular strain you are smoking also plays a role in eye redness. If you are smoking a low THC strain there is a very good chance that you won’t experience red eye. A high CBD Sativa would be a good choice if this is something you are trying to avoid. Strains higher in THC (most Indica strains) might cause your eyes to be red even into the next day after smoking.

Allergies

Another plausible reason for red eyes amongst pot users is allergies. Unfortunately, red eyes is one of the tell-tale signs that a person has been consuming marijuana, and due to its precarious legal status, this can be problematic for some. Thankfully, there are a host of solutions for this very issue. Users should note that unless they have become highly, highly intoxicated, red eyes should only last for a couple of hours. If waiting that amount of time isn’t an option, you should consider eyedrops! Pharmacies everywhere sell eyedrops, like Visine, that can remove your red eye situation almost immediately. In addition to this, there are also many foods that cause blood vessels to constrict and reduce eye redness. These include caffeine and chocolate.

So if you’ve just gotten baked, go get yourself a Mr. Big and a Coke Zero and your red eyes may well disappear! Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water are also important, as fluid intake has a very good chance of alleviating your eye dryness. Ever heard of Bilberry tea? Well if you have and know what it is, it also is known to address the red eye problem. Boiling fennel seeds in water, cooling the mixture then washing your eyes out with it is also a good idea.

Looking for a simple solution? Throw on a pair of shades.