Drug use can cause changes in the eye’s general color or motion. Bloodshot eyes are a common symptom of intoxication from several drugs, these occur because blood vessels in the eyes expand. Consistent substance misuse leads to constriction or dilation of the eyes.
Studies have shown that the eyelids are most frequently involved in drug toxicity that commonly manifests as inflammation, hypersensitivity reaction, or dermatitis.
Substance use can have numerous effects on the eyes that cannot be easily concealed. From the size of their pupils to redness, their eyes can reveal what substances they may be using. Because drugs and alcohol affect neurotransmitters in the brain, some effects can cause physical signs to manifest, including changes in the eyes.
Recognizing damage or dysfunction to either ocular structures or the components of the visual pathway can sometimes prevent a person from going blind.
What are edibles?
Edibles are cannabis-based food products. They come in many different forms, from gummies to brownies, and contain either one or both of marijuana’s active ingredients: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
With the legalization of marijuana, edibles are increasing in popularity. CBD-only edibles have even been found to help treat ailments such as anxiety and chronic pain. As an added benefit, edibles don’t pose risks to the respiratory system — unlike smoking marijuana.
Edible cannabis products typically provide the same benefits as other forms of cannabis. People ingest them to achieve certain effects, such as relaxation, or to treat medical conditions, such as chronic pain.
The edible experience tends to differ from that of other cannabis products. The “high” from edibles can feel more intense, and it may last longer than the high you get from smoking.
Edibles also take longer than smoking or vaping cannabis to kick in, although many factors affect the timing. The effects of edibles depend on the dose a person takes. Typically, the effects increase as the dose increases. However, consuming too much cannabis through edibles is easy to do, and it can cause adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Do edibles make your eyes red?
Yes, edibles can make your eyes turn red. Edible cannabis products contain cannabinoids (chemical compounds found in cannabis) that can affect your mind and body when consumed. Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors and induce the dilation, or widening, of the blood vessels. This increases the blood flow to these areas and causes an overall decrease in blood pressure. The increased blood flow to your eyeball causes a red appearance, and the lowered blood pressure causes dizziness.
Several clinical studies have found that cannabinoids like those found in edibles can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). When the eye pressure is too low, it can cause several distortions of the retina, lens, and cornea that can degrade vision. Treatment of hypotony is especially important when it is associated with visual loss. Hypotony may be treated with a variety of techniques, depending on the cause.
A 2016 study published in Neural Plasticity has found that manipulating cannabinoid receptors changes the way electroretinographic waves pass through the retina. These waves are measured by an electroretinogram, which records the electrical response of the eye to a light stimulus. The researchers found that cannabinoid receptors moderated the eye’s response to light.
Researchers are still investigating the ways in which cannabis and cannabis products like edibles affect eyesight.
