Does Delta 8 THC Make Your Eyes Red?

Hey, y’all, welcome back to the RESTART blog, where we guide you through your canna-curious journey. Today, we’re diving deep into an often talked about, but rarely explored topic, red eye eyes from consuming cannabis. We’ve all heard about the infamous red eyes caused by Delta 9 THC. But what about Delta 8 THC? Does Delta 8 make your eyes go red, too? Stick around and we will investigate. So, looking in the mirror a few minutes after you’ve smoked cannabis, and you might notice those red, glossy eyes staring back at you. But why does this happen? And contrary to popular belief, it’s not just the smoke irritating your eyes that causes them to turn red. People can get red eyes from edibles, tinctures, and vapes, too. The real reason is vasodilation.

When THC enters your system, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system, particularly with receptors called CB1 and CB2. One of those compounds binding to these receptors is anandamide, which is structurally similar to THC. This interaction widens your blood vessels and increases blood flow, thereby decreasing blood pressure in your eyes. This causes the capillaries to expand, increasing the blood flow and causing that red appearance. So, in summary, the key player is your cardiovascular reaction to THC. All right, so what about Delta 8? Does it cause your eyes to go red? The short answer is yes, it does. Delta 8 is structurally similar to Delta 9, and it interacts with your endocannabinoid system in a very similar manner. So while you’re enjoying hemp on a Saturday or any other day, really, you could still end up with red eyes, regardless of the time.

Studies have even shown that Delta 8 reduces intraocular pressure in rabbits, suggesting that it has similar cardiovascular effects to Delta 9. So should you expect the same inconvenience from Delta 8? Absolutely. So, okay, now we know why it happens and that it’s inevitable with Delta 8. But what can we do to prevent it? First, eyedrops, your first line of defense. A couple of drops before and after you consume hemp can do wonders. If you wear makeup, remember to use them before applying mirror mascara to avoid a mess. Two, use an ice pack. Cold temperatures can help reduce the dilation of your blood vessels.

Hold an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables against your eyes for up to ten minutes. Three, drink water. Dehydration can exacerbate red eyes. Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after consuming cannabis to not only help with red eyes, but also avoid dry mouth. Four, stick to lower Delta 8 or Delta 9 concentrations. If you find that you’re susceptible to red eyes, maybe opt for a product with a lower dose or lower milligram to start. You’ll still experience effects, but maybe with less red eye drama.

Five, wait it out. When all else fails, just give it time, put on some sunglasses, or act like you’re dealing with some allergies. So does Delta 8 make your eyes red? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s an inconvenient but harmless side effect of consuming cannabis. But with a bit of planning and some eyedrops in your pocket, you can manage it effectively. Well, that’s all for this video. And if you found this video informative, be sure to give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and drop any questions you have in the comments below. We’ll see you for the next RESTART cannabis educational blog post! Bye y’all.