One of the most common visible effects of marijuana is red eyes. Some users may experience this from consuming cannabis through smoking, ingestion and even vaping.
If your eyes have ever gone bloodshot from smoking a joint, you may have wondered: why does this happen?
In a nutshell, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, (THC) which lowers blood pressure, according to Rae Lland, an author at Leafly.ca, an online Canadian cannabis education website.
“In turn, this causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate,” Lland says. When this happens, blood flow increases to the eyes.
When blood flow increases to the eyes, eye redness occurs, but this may not apply to everyone. It can depend on body chemistry and also the quantity or quality of the cannabis consumed.
“Red eyes can still occur even without smoke, such as when eating edibles,” Lland says. “It’s not the smoke that makes your eyes red but the THC.”
Lland adds the THC lowers blood pressure, which causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate, and when this happens, there’s increased blood flow to the eyes, which reduces pressure in the eye. So, the increase in blood flow is what makes the eyes red.
Red eyes can also act as an indicator of how potent the cannabis you consumed is.
For example, if you noticed your eyes became noticeably redder after consuming cannabis, there is a good chance it has high cannabinoid content.
It is important to note that red eyes from consuming cannabis is harmless, Lland explains, but if you want to reduce or minimize the appearance of red eyes, you can try using eye drops, drinking water, or opting for low or non-THC strains.
Research suggests cannabis has been found to reduce intraocular pressure in the eyes, making it a viable and effective treatment for glaucoma patients.
The knowledgeable staff at all Toke House locations are ready to answer any question about terpenes, CBG, or CBN. To learn more about the various cannabis products available at Toke House in both Thunder Bay and the Dryden locations, visit their official website or call (807) 286-0048.
Information provided by Rae Lland, Leafly.ca
