Why Does Weed Make Your Eyes Red?

Many of us are all too aware of the red-eye-Jedi phenomenon. You’ve just smoked up and you start to feel your eyes get a bit heavy, next thing you look in the mirror and your eyes are the same colour as a cherry pie. 

This is more true for some than others as everyone is different. However, most of us probably carry around eye drops just to be safe. You never want to let those red eyes be the giveaway! 

Luckily, bloodshot eyes are short-lived and painless, but it can be irritating. So why does weed make your eyes red?

Your red eyes actually have nothing to do with the actual act of smoking. This reaction is a result of a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate – largely due to the presence of THC in your system. 

As your blood pressure drops, your blood vessels and capillaries dilate – which includes those in the eyes. This further increases blood flow, which means more travels to your eyes, making them red as well as reducing intraocular pressure. Due to these changes, cannabis has been considered a treatment option for glaucoma patients.  

It’s likely that your eyes will turn red regardless of the way you consume your cannabis. It comes down to the potency of your cannabis and how much THC you’ve consumed, as well as an individual’s sensitivities.

The red-eye-Jedi phenomenon can depend on numerous factors. If you’re looking to avoid red eyes, stick with strains that have a lower THC concentration. If red eyes are unavoidable for you, be sure to keep hydrated and always have some eye drops on hand. And now you know why weed makes your eyes red!