Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red?

I'm sure you've always wondered why the red eyes or bloodshot in your eyes after your smoking session. I bet you've Google searched it once, “can smoking weed damage your eyes?”  or you've asked yourself : "Is it the smoke? Is it the weed? I need an explanation." 

Here it is:

Firstly, regular cannabis users can tell new users that there are no serious health risks associated with your sudden red-eyed circumstance. You're probably not experiencing an eye irritation or allergic reaction or some bigger complication. Yeah some might poke fun or tease you for your so-called “weed eyes” in public, but otherwise, it's a completely natural occurrence that transpires after smoking cannabis.

In fact, your eyes turning red has nothing to do with the act of smoking at all.

Secondly, after consuming a cannabis-based product (flower, concentrate, edible, etc.), users generally experience an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This effect is due to one of the active cannabinoids found in cannabis; Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , which is the chemical compound responsible for some of the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis, and their initial interaction with the body. These compounds interact with cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. They’re found throughout your body, notably, in your eyes.

The rise in blood pressure and heart rate is comparable to normal physical activities like exercise or sex.

Thirdly, it generally takes about five to ten minutes for users' heart rates to return to normal and for blood pressure to begin to decrease. As the blood pressure lowers, the blood vessels and capillaries dilate, including the ocular capillaries. The dilation of ocular capillaries causes increased blood flow to the eyes, which results in your eyes turning red and also reduces intraocular pressure.

So basically, the increased blood flow to your eyeball causes the red appearance, and the lowered blood pressure causes the dizziness.

You can test it yourself, by consuming marijuana through a non-smoked method and looking for reddening of your eyes.

Do edibles make your eyes red?

Similar to smoking cannabis, ingesting edibles could also make your eyes turn red. Again, this depends on the amount of THC consumed. Remember, it's not the smoke itself that makes your eyes red, but rather the ability that cannabinoids have to lower blood pressure, causing blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. 

The redder the better?

The amount your blood pressure is lowered and how red your eyes become depends on the amount of THC you consume.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most common cannabinoid in the plant, is responsible for the intoxication associated with smoking cannabis. The greater the concentration of THC in a cannabis product, the stronger the effects and the redder your eyes become.

Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red?

The greater the concentration of THC in a cannabis product, the stronger the effects and the redder your eyes become.

So, red eyes can act as a sign that your cannabis has a high cannabinoid content (i.e., it's potent). In other words, if your eyes are noticeably bloodshot after consumption, there's a good chance you've landed yourself some highly potent weed.  

Other than being a dead giveaway that you've recently consumed cannabis, you have no reason to be concerned about the redness of your eyes. Cannabis-induced eye redness will typically only last a few hours and can easily resolve if you have the right tools at your disposal. 

It isn't a bad idea to have eye drops (or some sunglasses) on hand. Look for eye drop brands that are specifically designed to reduce eye redness. There are other methods that could potentially help combat cannabis-induced bloodshot eyes, including staying hydrated, washing your face and eyelids with cold water, or simply consuming cannabis products with lower THC levels.