Why do your eyes get red when you smoke weed

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Published on February 8, 2022

Table of Contents Show

Why do your eyes get red when you smoke weed?
How to to get rid of red eyes from cannabis
How do you prevent your eyes from getting red when smoking?
Does Indica make your eyes red?
Why do eyes get glassy when high?

Red eyes can be a classic, telltale giveaway that someone’s smoked weed. For certain people it’s guaranteed to happen and can happen after smoking, eating edibles, and even vaping.

Why it happen in some people and not others can be related to body chemistry, but does it also depend on the quantity or quality of the cannabis consumed?

Why do your eyes get red when you smoke weed?

The cause for reddening of the eyes after smoking cannabis is related to the reason why the plant is famous as a treatment for glaucoma.

In short, THC lowers blood pressure, which in turn causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. Ocular capillaries dilate, increasing blood flow to the eyes and reducing pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure. The increase in blood flow creates eye redness; the corresponding decrease in eye pressure is the benefit that glaucoma patients seek.

Red eyes can still occur even without smoke, such as when eating edibles. It’s not the smoke that makes your eyes red, but the THC.

That being said, it’s also possible for some to have an allergic reaction to cannabis or to smoke in general, which can increase eye redness. A reaction of this nature would likely be universal to smoke and would likely include sensitivity to cannabis, tobacco, and perhaps even incense.

Can cannabis help with glaucoma?

How to to get rid of red eyes from cannabis

Rae Lland

Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist, and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health, and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has also been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland

View Rae Lland's articles

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How do you prevent your eyes from getting red when smoking?

The most common way to alleviate your red eyes is, of course, through various over-the-counter eye drops that are designed for eye allergies, redness and itchiness. Pretty much all variations contain tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline), which is an alpha agonist that causes dilated blood vessels to constrict.

Does Indica make your eyes red?

The symptom is fairly similar whether your eyes are red from pollen or cannabis. However, weed doesn't cause red eyes because of irritation (unless you're getting a lot of smoke in your eyes).

Why do eyes get glassy when high?

Intoxication. Glassy eyes can be caused by intoxication with various substances, including prescription medication and illegal substances. This is because these substances often affect the central nervous system, slowing the body's ability to regulate functions that seem automatic to us like blinking.