Everyone is familiar with the stereotypical red-eyed stoner with a sneaky smile. In fact, if you’ve ever smoked marijuana, you’ve undoubtedly had your own small supply of eye drops to help you mask your high.
In fact, as CBD becomes more mainstream and acknowledged by the public, many people continue to mix it with THC, resulting in confusion about the two chemicals’ effects.
This is especially true since one way to consume CBD is by smoking the flowers or vaping. Because CBD in its raw cannabis form resembles marijuana and is derived from the same plant, many people wonder if it causes red eyes, among other problems.
In this post, we’ll talk about how CBD affects your eyes and how it varies from THC in that regard.
Why Do Eyes Get Red Anyway?
On a physiological level, your eyes turn red as the tiny blood veins that connect the sclera (the white outer layer of your eyeball) and the underlying conjunctiva (loose connective tissue) dilate.
This physiological response can be triggered by a variety of circumstances, including lifestyle and environmental conditions, which cause these tiny blood vessels to swell and enlarge.
Infections, ocular tiredness, allergies, and even excessive contact lens wear are the most prevalent causes of red eyes.
Let us take a closer look at those causes:
Environmental Factors
When it comes to the eyes and the environment, there are several variables at play.
The most prevalent environmental concerns are allergies and air pollution, both indoors and outside. Other environmental hazards include secondhand cigarette smoke or fire smoke, dust, dry air, airborne fumes, and even overexposure to sunshine.
Certain Eye Conditions
Certain illnesses, whether temporary or chronic, can cause redness and bloodshot eyes.
These issues include digital eye strain, chronic dry eyes, poor sleep, and wearing contacts for extended periods of time or sleeping in contacts, which is notoriously harmful.
Digital eye strain, often known as computer vision syndrome, is caused by gazing at blue-light screens for extended periods of time. On average, people spend up to seven hours each day staring at a computer screen, tablet, or phone, generally together, which can result in impaired vision, headaches, and, of course, eye strain.
Lifestyle Factors
Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, as well as recreational drug usage, can all cause eye redness and dryness.
In addition, bad hygiene habits such as not washing your hands and frequently touching your eyes can cause irritation and redness.
Serious Complications
Red eyes can also be an indication of serious eye health problems, such as an accident or infection.
It could also be a chronic eye ailment such as uveitis, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, or an autoimmune disorder like Sjorgen’s syndrome.
Finally, following eye surgery, including LASIK, a person may develop red eyes.
Does CBD Make Your Eyes Red?
Generally, the answer is no. CBD does not cause redness in your eyes.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid that interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is vital for maintaining your body’s homeostasis, or balance.
In other words, it is the system that regulates your body’s hunger, mood, stress reaction, and other functions.
CBD, once metabolized by the ECS, delivers a wide range of advantages by influencing numerous receptors throughout your body. More specifically, CBD interacts primarily with C2 receptors throughout the body, allowing it to enhance immunological function and the other systems indicated above.
CBD is also considered a vasodilator, so it has an effect on the blood vessels, which is why it can help lower blood pressure in those with hypertension.
It simply has no effect on the blood vessels in your eyes, therefore CBD cannot harm your eyes in that way.
However, some CBD users have suffered bloodshot eyes.
So What Gives?
Here’s the thing with CBD: Legally, a full-spectrum CBD product can contain trace levels of THC—0.03% or less.
This is by no means sufficient to get someone high. However, the cannabis business as a whole remains mostly unregulated, which is why respected manufacturers and brands go to tremendous lengths to guarantee their products are safe, clean, effective, and of high quality.
This means that those red-eyed CBD users are likely consuming a product that does not satisfy the same stringent standards and may have a greater quantity of THC.
It should be highlighted that these higher concentrations are still unable to get users high; otherwise, they would be compelled to exit the market. However, it may be enough to produce the notorious red eyes.
Aside from anecdotal evidence of red-eyed users, many of whom claim to exclusively use broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolates, there is some evidence that CBD may cause an increase in intraocular blood pressure.
However, it should be highlighted that the available material is so restricted that researchers and experts are unable to reach a solid conclusion on the subject. Based on what we know so far, CBD will not turn your eyes red unless it has a high concentration of THC.
Of course, the reasons mentioned above—allergies, sickness, irritability, and so on—are more likely in play here.
What About Dryness?
Dry eyes are usually coupled with redness. The primary cause of this is a weakened meibomian gland. This gland behind your eyelashes produces a fatty oil that prevents moisture evaporation.
When this gland produces insufficient oil, there is a paucity of tears, which can cause irritation and reddening of the eyes.
While CBD may induce temporary dryness of the eyes and mouth, this is a relatively unusual and brief adverse effect that is typically attributable to the dosage adjustment period.
Overall, CBD is not known to cause dry eyes, but it may be able to alleviate the symptoms of underlying illnesses that cause dry eyes, such as autoimmune disorders.
The Link Between Cannabis Use and Eye Redness
As we all know, using marijuana usually results in red eyes. Marijuana is a strain of the cannabis plant that includes increased levels of THC, which is responsible for the intoxicating effects on its users.
However, THC does more than just get you high; it also causes your eyes to grow red and, in certain cases, dry.
This is because THC, like CBD, interacts with the ECS and cell receptors, but it produces a distinct effect. The precise reaction we’re discussing is one that mimics anandamide, often known as the pleasure molecule.
Anandamide is a fatty acid neurotransmitter that binds to the same cell receptors as THC—the C1 receptors, which are mostly found in the brain and eyes.
Anandamide produces sensations of happiness, tranquility, and enthusiasm. It also dilates the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow throughout the body, including to the eyes.
THC provides similar sensations and effects on blood pressure and circulation, resulting in intraocular pressure. That is why marijuana users’ eyes frequently turn red after the THC takes affect.
Because red eyes are directly tied to THC, the same thing will happen if you eat edibles rather than smoke or vape. Of course, with edibles, these effects may take longer to manifest because the chemical must first be digested before entering the bloodstream.
Common Questions About CBD and Eyes
CBD may not cause eye redness, but it is marketed as a wonder pill capable of treating a wide range of diseases.
These disorders typically include arthritis, high blood pressure, and neurodegenerative diseases, but rarely include the eyes. You may have heard that THC can help with illnesses like glaucoma, but how about CBD?
According to research, CBD may exacerbate glaucoma. This is partly due to the fact that the cannabinoid causes an increase in intraocular pressure in glaucoma sufferers whereas THC reduces that pressure.
However, no follow-up studies or research have been conducted to provide a conclusive answer to whether CBD will have a harmful or positive effect on the condition.
There is currently no scientific evidence that CBD can help with cataracts. Cataracts are a disorder associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, and while there has been extensive research into CBD’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits, it remains unclear whether it can help with the illness.
We now know for definite that the answer to the question, “Does CBD cause red eyes?” is yes. Is no. Of course, there is some ambiguity, as previously said, due to an unregulated market and the different underlying diseases that an individual may have that influence the eyes.
That is why it is critical to only purchase CBD products from a trustworthy and transparent source that includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on the container or prominently displays it on the company website.
Furthermore, make sure to only buy CBD that is cultivated and made in the United States to verify that the product is genuine and not synthetic and that it can be readily tracked back to the source if an issue occurs.
Check back with us frequently to stay up to date on the latest CBD news.
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Also, read: How Do I Start A Hemp Business?
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