High eyes are a common reaction to using either medicinal or recreational cannabinoids. The more you know about what causes your symptoms, the sooner you can get to feeling better.
High eyes are a symptom of cannabinoid use that turns the eyes red.
Red, bloodshot eyes can be an unmistakable sign of recent marijuana use, whether or not an individual is smoking weed recreationally or using prescribed medical marijuana under directed supervision.
While high eyes are a common side effect of marijuana use, it is still important to address it.
Turning the eyes red is a side effect of the THC and CBD in cannabinoids. The cannabinoids impact a person’s blood flow to their eyes while they are under the influence of marijuana, which causes pink and red coloring.
Using either recreational or medical marijuana introduces tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, into the bloodstream. This causes a person’s blood vessels to become relaxed, causing increased blood flow and decreased blood pressure, each of which contributes to red eyes.
Reduced intraocular pressure, or eye pressure, is a common effect of smoking weed and can lead to blurry vision, dry eyes, and more.
However, prolonged use of marijuana may cause an individual to be at a higher risk of long-term detrimental effects on their eye health, such as the development of photosensitivity, eye disease, vision loss, and more.
Dilated pupils are also common following the use of marijuana and can impact a person’s vision as they are less capable of regulating the amount of light that is entering their eyes.
While red eyes can affect vision, eye pressure, blood pressure, and a person’s ocular capillaries, red eyes themselves are not painful.
Cannabis can also cause an individual’s eyes to dry. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable, but soothing dry eyes often is a simple process.
Eyes can seem shiny or glassy after heavy alcohol use or cannabis use.
This is due to these substances’ effects on a person’s central nervous system and its ability to regulate standard functions, such as blinking.
The eyes and eyelids are both affected by THC in the system.
The most common symptom of cannabis use on the eyelids is eyelid tremors, but redness and puffiness are also common.
Different drugs can affect a person’s eyes in different ways, depending on how that specific drug interacts with the body.
Red eyes, dilated pupils, and even constricted pupils can all be signs of drug use.
Red eyes can be a symptom of:
Dilated pupils can be a symptom of:
Constricted Pupils can be a symptom of:
The eyes can also be the first sign that a friend, family member, or loved one can use to recognize drug use.
Yes, edibles still cause red eyes.
Marijuana causes eye redness, increased heart rate, and changes in blood flow because of what the THC does to the systems in the body, not the smoke itself.
Regardless of the way a person engages with marijuana, red eyes are a common symptom.
Pupils change size to regulate how much light is being let into the receptors in the eye.
However, those engaging with drugs may experience not just dilated or constricted, pinpoint pupils, but their eyes may also not respond to changes in light exposure.
Drugs impact a person’s receptors and can hijack these otherwise reflexive systems in the body, causing pupils to change their size and stay either dilated or constricted regardless of changes in light exposure. This can make the eyes sensitive to light.
How long eyes stay dilated after drug use will depend on the drug being used and how long it remains in a person’s system.
The effects of drugs on a person’s eyes can persist for as long as there are traces of the substance in a person’s body. For some, this can be a couple of hours, while those engaging with substances like alcohol may continue to experience signs of alcohol use in their eyes for up to 24 hours.
While some people may believe they see better when high, drugs still harm a person’s vision.
However, this belief may stem from a person’s altered perception while under the effects of drugs, causing an individual to feel as if they can see “clearer.”
Red eyes from weed are a common side effect.
Smoking weed causes red eyes by affecting a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. By relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow, it becomes difficult for the body to regulate how much blood is moving to the eyes. This can lead to a decrease in eye pressure and bloodshot eyes while under the effects of cannabinoids or other drugs.
Yes, pupil size can indicate that a person has used marijuana, as well as indicate the use of other drugs.
In fact, red eyes and pupil size can be the first signs that loved ones may notice to indicate drug use. Marijuana not only can make eyes red but can also dilate pupils while under the effects of the drug.
Marijuana can have very noticeable effects on a person’s eyes immediately after use and while an individual is still under the influence of its effects.
Symptoms such as red eyes may last for up to three or four hours after marijuana use.
Marijuana use can have lasting effects on a person’s eye health and vision.
The slowing of visual processing reduced contrast sensitivity, and impaired motion perception are all recorded long-term effects of cannabis use.
Cannabis may also have effects on a person’s eye health, with long-term marijuana use potentially negatively affecting the optic nerve.
Because of marijuana’s unique effects on the eye, recent research has explored it as a potential treatment method for vision conditions such as glaucoma. However, more study is needed to understand how long-term marijuana use may affect eye health, and its efficacy as a treatment method has not been proven.
Macular Degeneration is a major cause of blindness, especially in older persons. However, marijuana use can cause it to appear in young people.
Marijuana has been seen to speed up the deterioration of blood vessels in the eyes, which can cause macular degeneration to manifest sooner than it would for those who do not consume marijuana.
Red eyes can be difficult to fix, but there are ways to help get rid of stoned eyes, such as a cold compress.
However, methods to get rid of stoned eyes do not address the other effects that drugs have on a person’s body and mind. Making the eyes less red and returning to normal pupil size does not mean that the person is “sobered up”.
The use of over-the-counter eyedrops or a cold compress can help to alleviate stoned, red eyes.
The length of time it takes for red eye to go away can depend on the drug being used.
While most symptoms of red eye will go away within a couple of hours, others can take a bit longer. Likewise, there may also be additional symptoms of a person’s use that should still be addressed.
There are options for those under the effects of marijuana to address red eyes without the use of eye drops.
Most commonly, applying a cold compress to the affected eyes can help to ease the symptoms. However, this will not address other symptoms of drug or marijuana use.
Using a cold compress and getting some rest can help get rid of stoned eye bags without over-the-counter eye drops.
Puffy eyes are a common symptom of drug and marijuana use, but it is treatable.
Applying a cold compress, getting sleep, and abstaining from further drug use is important for decreasing puffiness in the eyes following drug use.
However, if symptoms continue to persist, an individual can always schedule with an eye doctor for eye exams to further understand how drug use may be affecting their vision and eye health.
Marijuana addiction can be a profound challenge for many. Thankfully, there are always options for those with cannabis use disorder (CUD) to challenge and overcome addiction for a healthier life.
For many people, entering marijuana detox programs help them to find a more sustainable relationship with stress and substance use.
Taking the first step toward treatment and recovery can be difficult, and recognizing the signs of addiction in oneself or a loved one is the first step toward creating an effective treatment program with Sandstone Care.
Some signs that a person may benefit from professional treatment for marijuana addiction include:
Likewise, an increase in emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, and more can all further indicate the need for professional treatment to overcome marijuana addiction, especially for those who have attempted their own at-home detox and therapies in the past and have been unsuccessful in maintaining abstinence from marijuana.
Some other signs that can indicate a problematic relationship with cannabis include:
Professional treatment can not only address these challenges but also the effects of marijuana addiction on a person’s mental and physical health, from their eye health to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and the health of personal relationships.
Reaching out to various local treatment facilities to better understand their programs and prepare for change is also essential.
Each treatment program for marijuana use is a little different. Finding the best place, rather than the first place, to begin treatment is essential for a truly effective approach to sobriety.
Ensuring that each person will have access to personalized care and treatment options, dedicated medical staff, and age-appropriate care options can make a massive difference in the efficacy of each person’s recovery efforts.
Knowing what to expect from various therapies and treatment facilities can also help those who would most benefit from marijuana addiction treatment and their loved ones prepare for the profound change ahead, helping to deconstruct barriers or quell any harmful beliefs before embarking on their transformative journey.
The effects of marijuana use on the eyes are just one impact of marijuana addiction. Finding holistic care is paramount to not just ceasing the use of marijuana for a person’s physical healing but also making the necessary lifestyle changes for sustainable sobriety, physical health, and emotional health.
FAQ
Our goal is to provide the most helpful information. Please reach out to us if you have any additional questions. We are here to help in any way we can.
While red eyes are a very common symptom of marijuana use, not all people will necessarily experience it.
Red eyes are caused by changes in blood pressure in the eyes. Those who have naturally very high blood pressure may not be able to decrease their eye pressure enough to experience red eyes.
Red eyes are just one sign that a person is high.
Other potential signs include compromised motor skills and reaction time, slurred speech, altered sense of perception, disconnected thoughts, loss of coordination, and much more.
There is no guaranteed way to pass, as if a person has not been engaging with drugs, and some signs cannot be hidden.
While some sources may purport to have ways to pass as not high, this is often informed by a person’s altered sense of perception while under the influence of cannabis, opioids, or other drugs.
Changes in pupil dilation and perception can make it difficult to see while high.
Those engaging with drugs heavily may also experience a degree of asphyxiation due to either smoke or an inability to get enough oxygen, which can add to their challenges while engaging with drugs.
Eye drops cannot erase THC in the body.
While eye drops can be beneficial for treating red eye symptoms of drug use, they cannot actually impact the amount of drug in a person’s body and cannot be used to quickly “sober up.”
Eyes can feel weird when high due to their changing eye pressure, pupil dilation, and more. Dryness and irritation can further these feelings of discomfort.
It can be difficult to get rid of stoned eyes naturally without eye drops.
Applying a cold compress and waiting for the drugs to process in a person’s body are the best ways. Likewise, avoiding further drug use is necessary to prevent high eyes from coming back.
However, if an individual notices that the effects of high eyes are not going away or they have concerns about their eye health due to marijuana use, contacting an eye doctor can help address the situation and provide further guidance.
We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
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