Most people are familiar with the red, bloodshot eyes caused by marijuana. However, many of you also wonder, does CBD make your eyes red?
The good news is that you can stop worrying about whether consuming CBD or cannabidiol results in bloodshot eyes. The cannabinoid is highly unlikely to cause reddening of the eyes.
Why Does Cannabis Cause Bloodshot Eyes?
You have probably watched the iconic Cheech & Chong movies where red eyes are a hallmark sign of smoking cannabis, and you might wonder how much of it is true.
So, does CBD make your eyes red? This is something that a lot of people want to know, especially those outside of the cannabis-using community looking to try out CBD.
CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It does not cause red eyes.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the cannabinoid responsible for causing red eyes among cannabis users. When consumed, THC binds with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors to cause various effects such as euphoria, increased heart rate, dry mouth, memory loss, and red eyes.
THC lowers the body’s blood pressure, diluting the blood vessels in the eyes and leading to redness.
How Does CBD Affect the Body?
Just like THC, CBD also binds with the body's endocannabinoid receptors, but in a much different fashion. CBD creates a more beneficial and soothing balance without causing any of the cognitive disruptions or unpleasant side effects (such as red eyes) of THC.
Does CBD Cause Red Eyes? It’s a Big ‘No’!
Many users buy CBD gummies online and enjoy the experience, but they also fear getting bloodshot, red eyes. If the question ‘does CBD make your eyes red?’ is swirling in your head, you’ll be happy to know that you can breathe a sigh of relief. You will experience no bloodshot eyes when using any kind of CBD products.
Interestingly, CBD might actually counter reddening of the eyes. Redness is often caused by dryness when the meibomian gland, located behind the eyelids, fails to produce sufficient oils. The lack of the fatty substance causes the water in the eyes to evaporate. The subsequent dryness turns the eyes red..
Research has shown that CBD topicals can actually improve the meibomian gland’s oil production to reduce dryness in the eyes.
How to Reduce Red Eyes After Cannabis Use
It is true that smoking cannabis causes red eyes in many users. Although bloodshot eyes do not usually hurt, many people don’t want to walk around with the discoloration.
Here are four ways to reduce red eyes after cannabis use:
- Consume a vasoconstrictor such as coffee or chocolate to help constrict the eyes’ blood vessels and reduce redness.
- Use over-the-counter moisturizing eye drops to ease dryness and relieve inflammation.
- Wait for some hours for the redness to go away.
- Avoid going out in the sun, which can lead to a deepening of the redness and an increase in irritation.
Treatment for Short-Term Red Eyes
Sometimes you just get red eyes even if you don’t use a THC-laden cannabis product. If you have red eyes after using CBD, then you’ll need to look elsewhere for the cause of the red eyes, such as lack of sleep, dry eyes, eye infection, or excessive drinking or smoking.
Once you pinpoint the cause of the red eyes, you can focus on treatment. Here are four common scenarios:
- Dry eyes: If your eyes are simply dry, then an over-the-counter eye drop will usually bring much-needed relief.
- Eye infection: If you have an infection, such as conjunctivitis, you’ll need to consult a physician to obtain medication to treat it.
- Lack of sleep: If you have simply been burning the candle at both ends too much, then getting some much-needed shuteye will typically ease your red eyes.
- Smoking or alcohol use: Avoid using nicotine products and excessive alcohol consumption.
Treatment for Long-Term Red Eyes
Some medical conditions can lead to long-term red eyes, such as thyroid disorders. Also, eye strain, allergies, contact lenses, and naturally dry eyes can redden your eyes over long stretches of time.
To treat long-term red eyes, you’ll need to meet with your physician to discuss the underlying causes. If you have a thyroid disorder, then restoring hormonal balance can solve the problem.
If you are frequently undergoing eye strain, then you might want to schedule an appointment with an optometrist to obtain prescription eyewear or contacts.
Determining the cause of your allergies can give you a clue on how to prevent allergic red eyes. Using Benadryl or some other allergy medicine can help eliminate the redness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD cause red eyes and affect your vision?
Does CBD make your eyes red? It alone does not do so. If you experience redness of eyes after using CBD, then it could possibly be due to high levels of THC. As the law dictates, CBD products cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. It is not a sufficient amount of THC to cause redness in the eyes.
Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain all of the cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant, including very low levels of THC. However, they do not have a sufficient amount of THC to cause redness in the eyes.
You may wonder how many CBD gummies should I eat if I want to avoid red eyes. Don’t worry about it. Simply follow the dosage instructions on the label of the CBD gummies. The product does not contain enough THC to make your eyes red.
The use of CBD also does not impact your vision. Many things can make your eyes red, but CBD does not cause it.
Does CBD treat cataracts?
You are aware that THC can help treat glaucoma. However, many people wonder if CBD can treat cataracts. As of now, we don't know if CBD can treat it, but studies are underway.
Does CBD Make Your Eyes Red? Now You Know!
As we discussed in this article, CBD does not make your eyes red. However, there are many things that can discolor your eyes and give them a red hue. You should not ignore them.
If you experience red eyes while using CBD, then you should make a list of probable causes not related to CBD to determine the cause. Once you figure it out, you can work to correct the problem. Meanwhile, you can continue using CBD without any fears about its impact on your eyes.
