Cannabis Use and Changes in the Eyes

One of the most popular ways to describe the effects of using cannabis is through the eyes. Many will say “the red eyes” when they refer to cannabis. There are a number of small visual changes that can be present when someone uses cannabis. They are temporary and non-threatening, however, they are visually apparent enough that most people can identify them as being from cannabis use.

Learning why these visual changes occur will provide an explanation for one of the most commonly known physical signs of cannabis use.

How Does Cannabis Affect the Eyes?

THC is the primary cannabinoid responsible for the effects of cannabis. The first thing THC does upon entering the body is interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. An immediate side effect of this interaction is vasodilation, or expansion of the blood vessels.

When the tiny blood vessels in the eyes are enlarged, they become visible enough to give the eyes a red or slightly bloodshot appearance after cannabis use.

It’s also worth noting that the same effect causes a slight drop in intraocular pressure, which is why cannabis has been studied in relation to certain eye disorders.

Common Visual Signs of Cannabis Use

Many of the common eye signs associated with cannabis use include:

• Red eyes; due to the expansion of blood vessels
• Heavy eyelids; or “droppy eyes”
• A dry or irritated sensation in the eyes
• Glossy or glassy appearance to the eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light

These symptoms are usually short-term, and typically go away once the effects of cannabis have worn off.

Why Do Some Users Experience Dry Eyes?

A lot of cannabis users report experiencing a dryness sensation in their eyes, or mouth. This occurs because of the way cannabinoids affect the body’s ability to produce moisture in various glands. As a result, the eyes may feel slightly dry or irritated for a short period of time.

Typically, drinking water and giving your eyes a break usually allows the sensation to resolve more quickly.

Some Interesting Facts About Cannabis and the Eyes

Here are a couple of additional, lesser-known facts about the effects of cannabis on the eyes:

1. Smoke itself is not the cause of red eyes, rather the changes in the blood vessels.
2. Different strains of cannabis may create varying amounts of eye redness based on potency and individual susceptibility.
3. In general, eye redness will develop within minutes after consuming smoked or vaporized cannabis.
4. Generally, the redness of the eyes will dissipate over a natural course of time within a couple of hours.

Since everyone’s body responds differently, some individuals may experience stronger versions of these signs.

Final Thoughts

Visual signs of cannabis use are one of the most recognizable physical signs of cannabis use. These signs can take the form of redness, dryness or a glassy appearance, because THC temporarily dilates blood vessels and disrupts the amount of moisture produced. Most importantly, the majority of these signs are mild and transitory, yet part of how our bodies react to cannabinoids.

If you’d like to learn more about cannabis culture, cannabis plant science, or interesting facts about cannabis use, follow along with the Weed Wonderland Blog for more guides and educational articles. And check out the Weed Wonderland weed product Catalogue for your next favorite cannabis product today!