If you’ve ever experimented with any THC, such as marijuana or Delta 8, you’ve probably observed that your eyes tend to go red. It makes no difference whether you smoke your THC or consume it in edible form like THC gummies; if you’re high, your eyes will become red as a result. Medical marijuana causes your eyes to get red for the same reason it is used to treat glaucoma: it causes vasodilation, a physiological process known as vasodilation.
Why Does Marijuana Make Your Eyes Red?
The major psychoactive element tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for the vasodilation causing your red eyes (THC). THC is only one of the 113+ cannabinoids found in marijuana. All across your body, including your eyes, these cannabinoids engage with cannabinoid receptors.
Blood arteries and capillaries dilate or expand in response to the binding of cannabinoid receptors to THC, which reduces blood pressure. The ocular capillaries dilate, generating an increase in blood flow to the region, which results in the sclera appearing red (aka the white of the eyes). The term “bloodshot” refers to this.
Do edibles also cause your eyes to become red? Here’s an explanation that might help. It is possible for edibles, like topicals and tinctures, to induce red eyes due to vasodilation since they also contain THC.
THC-induced dilatation of ocular capillaries also decreases intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. Glaucoma is characterised by high intraocular pressure, which may lead to optic nerve injury and visual loss. Glaucoma therapy must thus focus on lowering this pressure. The medical journal JAMA found that inhaling marijuana lowered intraocular eye pressure by up to 30 percent.
Treatment
Marijuana may cause red eyes, although they’re typically not a concern. However, they may be an irritation, particularly for individuals who rely on cannabis for medical purposes. Attending work or school with bloodshot eyes may attract unwelcome attention and perhaps legal questions due to the lingering stigma associated with marijuana. Good news: Redeyes from marijuana use might be less severe with the right techniques.
Treat With Eye Drops
There are several over-the-counter eye drops that may help soothe red eyes, such as antihistamines. Tetryzoline, an alpha-agonist that tightens blood vessels, is included in all eye drops. The dilatation generated by THC is reversed, resulting in less blood flow to the eyes and less redness.
Home Remedies
There are several other household objects that might cause vasoconstriction. Caffeine, for example, is a stimulant that may contribute to vasoconstriction. A cup of coffee or some dark chocolate may help lessen the redness in your eyes.
Vasoconstrictors are also found in cold water. As a kind of self-preservation, it causes the heart and other essential organs to pump blood into the body’s centre. This may be accomplished by sprinkling cold water on your face or applying an ice pack to your eyes. A cold shower or ice bath may also be used to alleviate the symptoms.
Do Redder Eyes Mean Better Results?
Medical marijuana might cause your eyes to become red and puffy. However, the amount of THC taken determines the intensity of the redness. There is a direct correlation between increased marijuana usage and an increase in THC levels in the bloodstream.
It’s vital to note that eye drops may assist with red eyes, but alternative methods can get the same result. Maintaining hydration and switching to low THC strains may help reduce eye redness.
Intraocular pressure may be relieved by staying hydrated, which prevents the eyes’ blood vessels from being overly constricted.
Conclusion
When you’re high, your eyes will become red and water, no matter what form of THC you consume. The amount of THC you consume, on the other hand, influences how red your eyes will get. Taking a little THC will result in just a mild redness of the eyes; however, the more THC you consume, the more your eyes will get bloodshot.