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Red Eyes when Smoking Marijuana

Dani Walton
Dani Walton
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The consumption of marijuana produces various effects such as feeling high and drying your mouth. In some cases, it makes you sleepy and on other occasions, it activates you and fills you with energy. Also, weed tends to make eyes red which is one of the most common effects and signs of its consumption.

This is why we wonder why our eyes turn red when we smoke marijuana.

For novice users, this can be of great concern. However, we tell you that having bloodshot eyes from cannabis use does not cause any harm. You are probably not experiencing an allergic reaction or any major complication, on the contrary, it is a 100% natural reaction of the body.

Cannabis is good for glaucoma treatments and maybe that explains why THC lowers blood pressure which in turn causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. Consequently, the ocular capillaries dilate which increases blood flow to the eyes and reduces intraocular pressure, causing the increased blood flow to create the redness that is so common among weed smokers. Smoking marijuana is not the only method of consumption that makes your eyes red. If you eat edibles or cannabis food, you will experience the same effect.

Tricks to reduce red eyes

If you want to avoid red eyes or just lower the intensity of them, there are some super simple tricks that you should keep in mind to minimize or reduce the redness of the eyes during or after smoking.

1- Select cannabis strains that are low in THC or without this psychoactive component. We must clarify that strains rich in CBD or CBG can be a great alternative for pot users who do not want to have red, bloodshot eyes.

2- A classic trick is to use eye drops, especially drops whose formula claims to reduce redness in the eyes.

3- When you increase hydration, you can reduce the red color of the eyes a little. For this reason, it is good to stay hydrated with a good amount of water while smoking grass. This also helps to relieve dry mouth and throat with each puff. In general, both the mouth and throat tend to suffer from the heat emanating from the smoke from the joints.

4- Smoke marijuana and plan your sessions in your spare time while you are free from work, in recreational activities with friends, or simply enjoying your home. This will make you feel much more comfortable and the red color of the eyes will take a back seat.

CBD 1-CA (1:20)

We’ve mentioned that if you want to smoke marijuana that does not leave you with red eyes, you should select a low THC variety. For this, we recommend CBD 1-CA (1:20) because it is a variety that is rich in CBD and very low in THC. CBD 1-CA (1:20) is a feminized strain that contains extremely low THC levels between 0.3% – 0.8%. On the other hand, the CBD ranges from 18% – 20% and in each puff you will taste flavors of pine with earthy tones and lemon. 

Why is cannabis a good treatment for glaucoma?

It is said that cannabis can reduce intraocular pressure in the eyes which makes it a good treatment for people who suffer from ocular trauma produced by damage to the optic nerves that can generate up to complete loss of sight. However, a 2018 study carried out at Indiana University pointed out that CBD can worsen the condition in the eyes by increasing eye pressure. More studies are needed to conclusively prove that cannabis is a treatment for glaucoma.

We can add that marijuana is not a solution to glaucoma but rather a controller that prevents the progression of the disease in people who suffer from it. Weed helps patients by lowering pressure on the optic nerve, although as we already said, research on this disease and the use of marijuana has been inconclusive. Some organizations such as The National Eye Institute discovered that consuming marijuana through different methods such as smoking or ingesting it in food or through the injection of THC could reduce eye pressure.

However, there is a drawback with these findings and that is that marijuana only reduces the internal pressure of the eye for a maximum of four hours. For this reason, a patient should use THC repeatedly every few hours throughout the day and night for it to be a viable treatment for glaucoma. Although, we already know the arguments of those who speak for and against cannabis treatments for this disease, there is a concise list of varieties that some medicinal pot users recommend for this pathology. Here, we are going to introduce you to the most famous and desired strains among all of them.

Blueberry

Blueberry is named as one of the most popular varieties in the world and it is cultivated around the planet by thousands of gardeners. This mostly indica variety is not only popular because it helps glaucoma patients with their disease, but it also provides a relaxing and intense body effect. This is due to its genetics that stem from a cross between Afghani x Thai x Purple Thai.

Blueberry

Undoubtedly, this variety is a favorite for glaucoma patients because it also concentrates high levels of TCH, ranging from 15% – 24%, and delicious flavors of very sweet berries with notes of fresh pine. It is certainly a strain to consider if you suffer from this disease and it is available to be purchased in feminized cannabis seed format here at Blimburn Seeds.

Why eating cannabis food makes your eyes red

Eating cannabis edibles can also cause red eyes. This still depends on the amount of THC you have in foods with cannabis because it is the ability of cannabinoids to reduce blood pressure which causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. To make low THC edibles that do not leave you with red eyes, you can use some of our varieties that are rich in CBD and have little THC. For example: Auto CBD Haze (1:1)

Auto CBD Haze (1:1)

If you want to make a cannabis edible that does not leave your eyes red or reduces this effect, the best varieties you can choose are those low in THC and rich in other compounds such as CBD. In this case, Auto CBD Haze meets those requirements because it has THC concentrations of only 5% – 6%, while CBD reaches levels of 6% – 8%. The latter being the dominant compound in this variety.

Auto CBD Haze Marijuana Plant

We must highlight that the edibles resulting from Auto CBD Haze (1: 1) will have an energizing mental effect as this variety is mostly sativa. In addition, they are easy to mix with more citrus flavors like lemon or orange because the authentic flavors of this CBD-rich autoflower are skunky with earthy notes and a strong Haze undertone.

Mamba Negra CBD

Our feminized Mamba Negra CBD cannot be missing in these recommendations. This strain has CBD levels ranging from 10% to 20% and THC is super low at only 1% to 2%, making the psychoactive effect not felt. This also helps you achieve edibles that won’t make your eyes as red. Also, it should be added that the taste of the Mamba Negra CBD buds is sweet with earthy notes and marked sweet tones, making it ideal for edible cannabis such as chocolate and strawberry cakes or Nutella pancakes, among others.

As it is a mostly indica variety, Mamba Negra CBD is perfect for a day of relaxation or after work as it makes you feel calm and relaxed. This strain is ideal for smoking with friends at the lake or while relaxing at home. It is also great for making edibles because you will not be absolutely high or have bloodshot eyes which gives you the freedom to feel comfortable and without the worry of having rabbit eyes.

Now you know everything you need to about red eyes and how to avoid them. Remember that low-THC varieties in addition to strains that are rich in CBD or CBG can be your greatest companions because they will not leave your eyes red with the intensity of a variety rich in TCH. Another important point is that edibles can also cause bloodshot eyes, so try to consume cannabis edibles with minimal doses.

On the other hand, treatments for glaucoma with cannabis are a reality today despite the fact that there are no conclusive studies that fully certify the benefits of marijuana in patients with this disease. We can only wait and see what science can tell us about this pathology and cannabis. For the moment, marijuana can be trusted if it is used responsibly. 

Strains featured in this article:

Dani Walton

Dani Walton is a highly accomplished cannabis expert and entrepreneur hailing from the Bay Area. With an impressive track record spanning over 20 years, Dani has amassed a wealth of experience in the cannabis industry. Her journey has taken her across the globe, as she traveled with the executive team of Harborside for more than 11 years, passionately advocating for the positive impacts of the cannabis plant.

During her tenure at Harborside, Dani excelled in managing wholesale and distribution for Harborside's farm, while also playing a pivotal role in the development of their in-house brand, Key. Following her departure from Harborside, Dani embarked on a new venture, co-founding NXTLVL, a women-owned concentrate delivery service that quickly gained recognition and Agris Farms. A beautiful 5 acre light dep farm located in Woodland, near Sacramento.

Her extensive knowledge encompasses the latest consumer trends, cannabis sales, extraction techniques, cultivation methods, new brands and products, as well as the evolving science of cannabis medicine. Recognized as a respected authority in the industry, Dani has served as a judge for esteemed cannabis competitions such as Chalice, High Times, Dab- A- Doo, The Organic Cup and The Emerald Cup. Her expertise and insights have been sought after by renowned publications and media outlets, including Forbes, The Guardian, The Independent, and many others.

With her remarkable background and unwavering commitment to advancing the cannabis industry, Dani Walton stands as a true pioneer and an influential figure in the field.

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