Why Do You Get Red Eyes After Smoking Weed?

One of the clearest signs that you have smoked cannabis sativa is red eyes. That’s especially for new users and others who are prone to bloodshot eyes. Not to say that there is anything wrong with having red eyes after smoking a joint of weed. Bloodshot eyes occur as a side effect of smoking weed and are not dangerous. It is completely normal.

Red eyes are likely to occur in certain individuals more than others. It all depends on how sensitive one is to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). If you are less sensitive, you may get red eyes depending on the quality and quantity of cannabis consumed. Here is why you get red eyes after smoking weed:

1. Individual Sensitivity/Amount of THC in Weed

To reiterate, strong sensitivity to THC determines whether you get red eyes after smoking weed or not. It also matters how quickly your body metabolizes marijuana. Just as people are affected differently physically and mentally when they smoke weed, so is it also true for the eyes. Those with high sensitivity and high metabolism abilities can always expect red eyes whenever they smoke weed.

Also, there is an obvious correlation between the amount of weed you consume and the frequency with which you get bloodshot eyes. People who consume high amounts of marijuana end up with high levels of THC in their blood. Such individuals are likely to have red eyes. Conversely, those who consume less marijuana will have low levels of THC in their blood, hence clearer eyes.

It is obvious that getting red eyes after smoking weed largely depends on how much THC you consume. Thus, marijuana strains or CBD flowers with the highest concentrations of THC are bound to lead to the dilation of blood vessels, thus giving you red eyes. Drying weed causes the concentrations of THC to increase.

2. The Quality of the Marijuana

When it comes to determining whether you get bloodshot eyes or not, the quality of the weed you smoke really matters. Cannabis seeds of the highest quality are those which are fresh and not totally dry. They have high concentrations of THC compared to the dried varieties. Trustworthy, lab-tested CBD products by a reputable company in the cannabis industry can have safe amounts of reduced THC concentration. Apart from that, where you buy the weed also matters. Thus, there are stores which sell certified high-quality weed. Smoking such weed is a sure ticket to getting red eyes.

3. Your Normal Blood Pressure

What’s your normal blood pressure? Are one of those individuals with high blood pressure? If yes, then smoking weed is unlikely to have an effect on the color of your eyes. That’s because any levels to which the blood pressure is lowered will make it normal. However, or individuals with low blood pressure, getting red eyes is a guarantee.

How Does THC Cause Red Eyes?

Soon after smoking weed, the immediate effect on the body is a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. That’s due to the cannabinoids in the marijuana plant. One of these cannabinoids is THC, which has been established to have some medicinal properties.

As a result of the reduced blood pressure, blood vessels, including the capillaries, dilate. Thus, the ocular capillaries become dilated. More blood flows through the expanded vessels. As the ocular capillaries on the sclera fill up with blood, your eyes appear red.

By reducing the blood pressure, THC also leads to a reduction in the intraocular pressure. Generally, the blood vessels all over the body expand, including the eye’s ocular capillaries. By taking in more blood than usual, ocular capillaries lying on the sclera make the eyes to look red.

Incidentally, this isn’t a bad thing, given that it is the very effect that makes cannabidiol (CBD) and THC useful in the treatment of glaucoma. It turns out that one of the leading causes of glaucoma-related diseases is increased intraocular pressure. Thus, lowering intraocular pressure is key to dealing with the disease. According to one study, THC could play an important role in lowering intraocular pressure by between 25 and 30 percent, thus preventing blindness.

Clearly, whether you get red eyes or not after smoking weed depends on several things. Key among them is the amount of THC you consume. While that’s important, it also matters if you have high blood pressure or not. In short, getting red eyes is not a guarantee. Follow us to learn about marijuana cultivation.