Do Edibles Make Your Eyes Red?

Bloodshot eyes are one of the telltale signs you’re high. So why do edibles make your eyes red, and is there anything you can do to prevent or alleviate it? 

While the negative perception is fading, pot consumption and effects like red eyes can still cause some antagonistic looks in public or maybe worse in some places. So, keeping the red eye on the DL whenever possible is best. It’s as simple as throwing in some eye drops. 

Don’t let red eyes from edibles deter you from enjoying all the benefits they have to offer. Stock up on delta 9 gummies at Snoozy, whether you’re looking for THC gummies for sleep or THC gummies for anxiety. In the meantime, learn more about how to mitigate red eyes from edibles!

Do Edibles Make Your Eyes Red?

So do edibles make your eyes red? Yes, they do. Assuming they contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), of course. This is the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the psychological and physical effects of consuming marijuana. 

This isn’t an effect unique to edibles, either. No matter how THC enters your system, it could turn your eyes red. The question is WHY do edibles make your eyes red?

Why Do Edibles Make Your Eyes Red?

Apart from making you high when it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), THC also dilates the blood vessels in your eyes. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure, effectively increasing blood flow in the eyes. 

While all forms of THC can cause red eyes, that isn't the case with the entire plant. Cannabinoids like CBD are less likely to cause red eyes. That result is because CBD lacks the vasodilatory properties of THC. This rule applies to all CBD-based products, edibles or otherwise. 

How Long Do Red Eyes From Edibles Last?

Just as the high from weed fades after a few hours, red eyes are a temporary occurrence that will fade over time. Typically, this effect lasts between two and four hours after onset. 

The severity and longevity of the effects will depend on how much THC is consumed and the strain's potency. High-THC weed increases the intensity and the potential duration of red eyes.

Here’s the thing, though. It is SO easy to fix red eyes from edibles. Eyedrops. It’s honestly that simple. Whether you go with Visine or Rohto, what matters most is that you apply the eyedrops only when you need them so they don’t lose their effectiveness.

How Else Does Cannabis Affect Eye Health?

Besides causing your eyes to fill with blood, cannabis has various other effects on the eyes. One is eye dryness, especially when hot weed smoke dehydrates the eye. THC is also known to bind to receptors in the body, temporarily reducing tear production. This further contributes to eye dryness. 

THC can affect eye pressure and vision as well. The cannabinoid is known to reduce intraocular pressure via the eyes' blood pressure. This is why people use cannabis for glaucoma, a group of progressive eye diseases resulting from damaged optic nerves. 

When an abnormality in the eye's drainage causes fluid to build up, the excessive pressure in the eye could damage the optic nerves. This is one of the main risk factors for glaucoma. 

The good thing is that THC is somewhat effective at reducing intraocular pressure. Studies have found that THC may reduce intraocular pressure by up to 40%, making it nearly as effective as Timolol and other commercial anti-glaucoma meds.

Many people have also reported experiencing blurry vision after smoking weed or popping a super potent gummy. These effects typically result from slowed visual processing and reduced contrast sensitivity, both recorded effects of consuming THC over time.

Does the Type of Cannabis Make a Difference in How Red Your Eyes Get (Sativa vs Indica)?

Just as with the question of sativa vs indica for female arousal, people wonder if the different types of edibles can have an effect on their eyes getting red. The short answer is no. THC is the culprit behind red eyes from edibles, not the classification of a given strain.

The differences between sativa and indica mostly common down to secondary cannabinoids (like CBG, CBC, CBN, etc.) and the terpene profile (linalool, myrcene, limonene, etc.). These things shape how a strain will feel, not the level of eye redness you end up dealing with. 

Using Edibles Safely and Responsibly

There’s really no reason to stress about red eyes from edibles. It’s a temporary and often harmless side effect of THC. But that doesn’t mean you should just use edibles willy-nilly. There are a few things you need to know to enjoy them safely:

Buy only from a trusted brand, like Snoozy. We go above and beyond at every step of the process, from sourcing to manufacturing to lab testing. You can shop with peace of mind knowing you’re getting the safe quality you deserve.

Start with a low dosage if you’re new to edibles. Like, 5mg of THC maximum for your first time. The last thing you want is to overshoot your comfort zone and have a bad time.

Don’t take another dose for at least 2 hours. Edibles take time to work through your system, and rushing to take another dose because you “don’t feel it yet” is a horrible idea.

Other than that, just use common sense. Don’t drive if you feel high, and definitely don’t operate any heavy machinery either. It’s best to avoid combining weed with other substances (alcohol), too.

What Are Some Other Causes of Red Eyes Besides Edibles?

Cannabis isn't the only thing that causes red eyes. Sometimes, you wake up, and your eyes are so red it's like someone colored them in with a crayon— and you can't figure out why for the life of you. 

Environmental Irritants 

One reason your eyes are abnormally red is prolonged exposure to environmental irritants such as extremely dry air or the sun. Mechanical irritation, trauma, and allergic reactions are other common causes of eye redness. 

Pink Eye or Blepharitis

Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyeballs and eyelids. This infection causes redness and an itchy sensation in the eye. Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye can be treated with antibiotic medication.

On the other hand, blepharitis is an eye condition that causes the eyelids to swell, turn red, and become itchy. It may also lead to the release of discharge that cakes up overnight, leaving crusty, dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes. This condition is treated using topical antibiotics.

Other Potential Causes

There are honestly so many reasons you could be dealing with red eyes that have nothing to do with edibles. For example, an injury to the eye - which could be caused by something as innocuous as scratching your eye too aggressively. Or, perhaps it’s just dry eyes from allergies or the climate itself. Dryness = redness in many cases. 

When Should You See a Doctor For Red Eyes?

If your eyes are still red the next day, consider seeking medical attention. Your doctor will diagnose your condition and possibly prescribe medication and treatment steps. 

If you display symptoms, consider regularly washing your hands and avoiding sharing edibles or other items until diagnosed. In many cases, these conditions can be spread from one person to another. 

At the end of the day, red eyes are not a common delta 9 side effects next day. This is a sign that something else is going on, and it warrants a conversation with a professional.

Key Takeaways

• THC can cause red eyes, whether you smoke it, vape it, or consume it via edibles. This is a temporary and harmless side effect.  
• Red eyes from an edible is the result of THC expanding the blood vessels in your eyes. 
• Your best bet to avoid or manage eye redness is using eye drops. They’ll restore the pearly white look to your eyes fast, which matters if you’re trying to stay discreet.
• Snoozy is your one-stop shop for legal, lab-tested edibles online. Whether you’re looking for sleep gummies or sex gummies, there is something in our shop for you!

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