Mar
Red eyes after smoking weed or hash are a common phenomenon associated with cannabis use. Some see it as a harmless side effect, while others worry about potential eye damage. In this blog, we delve into why you get red eyes after smoking cannabis, whether it’s harmful to your eyes, if it’s specific to smoking, and share tips to reduce redness.
What’s the cause of red eyes?
The main cause after smoking weed or hash is cannabis’s influence on the eye’s blood vessels. Cannabis contains cannabinoids, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most prominent. THC has a vasodilating effect, causing blood vessels to expand.
When someone smokes cannabis, the active compounds quickly enter the bloodstream, including the eye’s blood vessels. The vessels in the whites of the eyes expand in response to THC, allowing more blood flow and resulting in red eyes.
This phenomenon, known as vasodilation, is similar to what happens when someone drinks alcohol, although the mechanisms and effects differ.
Is it harmful to your eyes?
Generally, red eyes after smoking weed or hash are believed to be harmless to the eyes themselves. It’s more a side effect of THC’s vasodilating effect on the eye’s blood vessels. These red eyes are usually transient and resolve on their own, typically within a few hours after smoking cannabis.
However, there’s limited research on the long-term effects of regular cannabis use on eye health. Some studies suggest that prolonged and heavy cannabis use may be associated with an increased risk of certain eye problems, such as dry eyes or exacerbation of symptoms in people with glaucoma. However, these findings haven’t been fully confirmed, and more research is needed to fully understand cannabis’s long-term effects on the eyes.
Is it only with smoking?
While smoking weed or hash is the most common way to consume cannabis, red eyes can also occur with other forms of cannabis use, such as edibles or vaping. Thus, red eyes aren’t specifically related to smoking but rather to the presence of THC in the body and its vasodilating effect.
Tips for red eyes:
If you want to reduce red eyes after smoking weed or hash, here are some tips that can help:
- Use eye drops: There are eye drops on the market specifically designed to relieve red eyes. These drops help constrict blood vessels in the eyes, reducing redness.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can contribute to red and dry eyes.
- Use a cold compress: Apply a cold washcloth or compress to your eyes to help constrict blood vessels and reduce redness.
- Wear sunglasses: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright light, which can exacerbate redness.
However, it’s important to note that these tips are only temporary solutions and don’t address the underlying cause of red eyes. If you regularly experience red eyes after using cannabis and are concerned, it’s wise to consult a doctor for advice.