You may find that when you smoke weed, your eyes turn red, acting as sirens that alert everyone around you that you’re stoned. But does this principle still hold when you consume a CBD product? The short answer is no, or rather, not necessarily.
It’s common to wonder if there will be physical indicators that you’ve taken CBD. There can be a variety of situations where it may be a good idea to be discreet about using CBD.
In this article, we’ll break down what exactly causes red eyes as a side effect of marijuana use and why that relationship is different for CBD products.
We’ll also cover different products you can use to reduce the risk of bloodshot, red eyes and put together some useful comparisons that will help you find the product that best suits your particular needs and concerns.
Why Does Marijuana Cause Red Eyes?
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So, what exactly causes those telltale red eyes often associated with the use of marijuana? There are a few different factors at play. We’ll break down some of the main factors that cause redness of the eyes and explain the science behind them. Spoiler alert: it’s not the smoke.
Increased Blood Flow
The biggest reason that marijuana use causes red eyes has to do with blood flow. When cannabinoids are ingested, there are a number of ways in which they interact with the body. Cannabinoids bind to receptors, a process we’ll explain when we discuss THC, and this causes an increase in blood flow.
Once blood flow is increased, blood vessels are expanded and become more visible. When you’re looking at bloodshot eyes, you’re simply seeing expanded blood vessels. This can also account for the itchy or watery sensation in the eyes that can sometimes occur when smoking or consuming THC.
The Presence of THC
You may have seen this one coming already, but the big factor that causes red eyes with marijuana use is THC. This accounts for the difference between side effects of marijuana use versus CBD use. THC is responsible for several effects that CBD simply does not produce.
So, what about THC specifically makes eyes red? Essentially, cannabinoids like CBD bind to receptors in the body. When this binding happens, it causes blood vessels to dilate. Much like pupils, when dilation occurs, the blood vessels stretch out and widen. This causes changes in blood flow as we discussed in the first point. Notably, this process also lowers blood pressure which can cause the sensation of dizziness.
This complex mix of systems and reactions causes the bloodshot appearance of the eyes that we so often associate with the use of marijuana.
Changes in Intraocular Pressure
Alright, so what in the world is intraocular pressure? While it may sound scary, the definition of intraocular pressure is actually pretty simple. Intraocular pressure is simply the level of fluid pressure that is present in the eyes.
This may be the first time you’ve wondered: does marijuana help with glaucoma? Studies have shown that yes, the use of marijuana and CBD products can reduce intraocular pressure, which can aid in pain treatment and management of glaucoma.
There is still a robust amount of research to be done in this particular field of research and many answers are still to come, but so far the data seems promising. A side effect of changes in intraocular pressure, most often shortened to IOP, is that the eyes can appear red and have a glass-like sheen.
So, Can CBD Cause Red Eyes like THC?
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Will using CBD make my eyes red? The short answer and main takeaway is that no, CBD by itself won’t necessarily make your eyes red. Like most topics related to CBD, the answer is simple yet complicated at the same time. The answer starts to get a little more complicated when we talk about different methods, formulas, and CBD products.
The debate between pure CBD versus full-spectrum CBD or broad-spectrum CBD is one important topic to touch on. To put it simply, the purer your form of CBD is, the less likely you are to wind up with a case of red eyes. Broad or full spectrum CBD can contain small trace levels of THC, though those on the market keep these levels below the legal limit of .3%. It’s these THC levels that may contribute to slightly red eyes with the use of certain CBD products.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that one type of CBD is better than another type of CBD. Rather, it’s important to take your personal preferences and deal breakers into consideration. If red eyes happen to be an issue, the best way to minimize this risk as much as possible is to stick with CBD isolate products.
Smoking CBD vs CBD Oil: Which is Less Likely to Cause Red Eyes?
Another common question people tend to have about CBD use is the different side effects that can happen when different methods are used. A common thought about marijuana or CBD is that the smoke in either product causes red eyes. The logic is that the substances in the smoke cause the eyes to become irritated, thus causing the red, glassy appearance. However, this is actually a misconception.
Because of the factors we discussed earlier, we know that red eyes are actually caused by the cannabinoid reactors in the body. This means that redness isn’t necessarily dictated by the CBD ingestion method itself but rather the THC content, or lack thereof, present in your product. As we’ve discussed, the less THC your product has, the chance of ending up with red eyes diminishes significantly.
Whether you’re smoking CBD, using a topical oil, or ingesting orally, you can safely assume that your eyes will retain their normal appearance.
Try these CBD Products without Red Eye Worry!
Now that we know a little more about the effects (or lack thereof) of CBD on the eyes, you might be interested in trying out products that will leave you will all the benefits of CBD without the appearance of red eyes. Head over to our list of the best CBD products to learn more.
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