Stoned Eyes: Why Marijuana Causes Red Eyes

Key Takeaways

• Stoned eyes from drug use include redness and pupil changes.
• Weed causes eye redness by lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow.
• THC in marijuana can impair brain functions like thinking and memory.
• Eyes impacted by cannabis can be treated with hydration and eye drops.

“Stoned eyes” or “weed eyes” refer to eye changes caused by certain drugs such as opioids, marijuana, or stimulants. The most common signs of stoned eyes include:

• Dilated pupils (enlarged pupils)
• Pinpoint pupils (smaller pupils)
• Bloodshot eyes
• Watering eyes
• Rapid, uncontrollable eye movement

Long-term substance abuse can also increase the risk of certain eye conditions like glaucoma and vision damage. In this article, we’ll focus on the effect marijuana has on the eyes. We’ll also discuss the drug’s addiction potential and the treatment options available.

Why Does Weed Give You Stoned Eyes?

Stoned eyes are primarily caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It reduces blood pressure, causing tiny blood vessels called capillaries to dilate. 

As the blood vessels dilate, THC boosts blood flow into the eyes, reducing intraocular pressure. The increased blood flow causes redness.

People can still get red eyes even if they don’t smoke marijuana. It’s often due to an allergic reaction or getting smoke in your eyes.

What Other Drugs Can Cause Stoned Eyes?

Aside from marijuana, these drugs can affect your eyes:

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Can You Get Rid of Stoned Eyes?

The redness typically goes away after some time. Although there’s no way to get rid of it immediately, you can take steps to minimize the redness during or after smoking.

These steps include:

• Fish oil supplements: Taking fish oil supplements can reduce dry eyes and redness because of fatty acids called Omega-3s.
• Using low-THC marijuana: Using a strain with little to no THC can reduce eye redness.
• Alternative strains: Strains with high cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) can be better alternatives for those sensitive to THC.
• Eye drops: Redness-reducing eye drops can constrict the eye’s blood vessels so they don’t appear enlarged and swollen with blood.
• Hydration: Staying hydrated increases fluid intake and may help with any dryness.
• Cold compress: Cold compress or cold water can decrease blood flow to your eyes and reduce redness.

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Can You Get Addicted to Marijuana?

Yes. Marijuana is an addictive substance that can cause substance use disorder (SUD). About 30% of people who use marijuana develop a marijuana use disorder.

Additionally, people who start using cannabis before 18 are four to seven times more likely than adults to have a marijuana use disorder.

How Does Marijuana Affect The Body?

Aside from red eyes, long-term cannabis use can result in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, requiring emergency medical attention. It can even increase your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues.

Smoking marijuana also aggravates the lungs causing lung illnesses, infection, persistent cough, and phlegm.

Other physical side effects include:

• Breathing issues
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Impaired body movement
• Problems with child development during and after pregnancy

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

THC moves quickly from the lungs into the bloodstream and eventually the brain. Its effects on specific cell receptors can impair thinking, memory, and learning functions.

Marijuana can also lead to long-lasting or permanent brain damage due to how THC alters the hippocampus. Other mental side effects include:

• Altered senses, such as seeing brighter colors
• Altered sense of time
• Adjustments in mood
• Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
• Delusions (when taken in high doses)
• Psychosis (risk is highest with consistent use of high-potency cannabis)

Treatment Options for Marijuana Addiction

There aren’t any medications currently available to treat marijuana use disorder. However, there are treatment options available to help you recover from marijuana addiction.

These include:

• Inpatient rehab: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision.
• Outpatient rehab: A treatment program where you can leave the rehab facility.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
• Support groups: Provides a community to help maintain sobriety after treatment.
• Sober living: These homes are safe environments that help you transition from treatment back to regular life.

Continuing research may result in new medications under development to help ease withdrawal symptoms, block the effects of cannabis, and prevent relapse.

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