Oh, the old red eye. It's used as a common visual to describe the stereotypical stoner. And unfortunately, it's an all too real effect of marijuana use.
But what about Delta 8? Does Delta 8 make your eyes red? And if so, how long will it last? In this article, we're going to explore the effects of Delta 8 on the body and mind.
Does Delta 8 make your eyes red? Everything you need to know
Red eyes: An inconvenient but harmless side effect
Although cannabis-induced bloodshot eyes may be embarrassing, they won't cause any physical harm.
In this article, we’ll investigate the causes of cannabis red eye and tell you whether Delta 8 produces the same effect. We'll also talk about how to prevent it from happening and what to do if it does occur.
Red Eye: What causes it?
Vasodilation is a big word used to describe a simple phenomenon: red eyes from cannabis. It is our body’s cardiovascular response to THC and also just happens to be the reason many people use cannabis to treat glaucoma.
THC triggers vasodilation in the eyes by lowering blood pressure. This causes the blood vessels to dilate.
When our pupils dilate, this increases blood flow to the eye and reduces pressure. Thanks to this increased blood flow, our eyes become bloodshot, and we get the quintessential THC ‘red eye.’ What’s more, it's interesting to note the dizziness many people get from marijuana comes from lowered blood pressure.
But some people get a more severe case of bloodshot eyes than others. This is thanks to varying factors, including your age, gender, overall health, and existing blood pressure levels.
How about Delta 8?
Does Delta 8 make your eyes red?
The answer is a resounding yes. Yes, Delta 8 does indeed cause your eyes to become bloodshot. However, the bloodshot eyes aren't as severe as what Delta 9 gives you. But this does depend heavily on the amount you consume.
Because Delta 8 resembles Delta 9 in its chemical structure, it also causes red eyes.
Research into Delta 8 THC has just begun. There are similarities that have been discovered between it and other forms of THC. These are leading scientists to believe that this chemical compound will also share many of its therapeutic benefits as well as side effects.
Animal studies show Delta 8 has the same effect as Delta 9 on intraocular pressure. This also infers that it has a similar, if not the same, effect on the cardiovascular system. By lowering blood pressure, it sets off a ripple effect: Less intraocular pressure leads to red eyes.
How Can You Prevent Bloodshot Eyes?
Knowing how to avoid a bloodshot look is always handy, especially if you have a function to attend.
But there’s no simple way to prevent your eyes from becoming bloodshot. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. The only thing you can do is to treat it after vasodilation has left its mark.
How to Get Rid of Bloodshot Eyes
But just because you can’t prevent it doesn’t mean you can’t treat it. Getting rid of bloodshot eyes is easy enough. All you have to do is to get a good bottle of allergy eye drops. Allergy eye drops are effective because they are made to treat red eyes, a common symptom of severe allergies.
When shopping for eye drops, look for the ones containing Tetryzoline. Tetryzoline is a fancy name for a compound that reverses dilated blood vessels. They generally work quite quickly, so you can rely on them to transform you back to your white-eyed normality in a hurry.
But, don’t rely on them for long-term use. Prolonged use of eye drops can cause an adverse reaction. In other words, if you use them every day, you could end up worsening the redness in your eyes.
Instead, you could switch up your eye drops and use a milder one in between. While these might not work as quickly, they will prevent your body from adjusting its reaction to allergy eye drops.
Is there another way to get rid of bloodshot eyes?
Here are a few natural ways to reduce redness in the eyes without the help of ‘artificial tears’:
Cold Water
No, this is not endorsed by the Wim Hof Method, although it has similar roots to cold water therapy. Ice-cold water is excellent for waking us up. We all know that. Nothing beats an ice-cold shower in the middle of a muggy summer’s day.
But red eyes? How does cold water help with red eyes? The reason cold water has become a valued wellness tool is that it causes vasoconstriction, stimulating a survival instinct. Our body’s instinctual nature is to send blood straight to the core in an effort to protect our essential organs.
When it comes to your eyes, why not try running cold water over your face? A cold compress might just do the trick as well. And the old wives' tale about the cucumber trick? That has its reasoning, too, as the cool cucumber also causes vasoconstriction.
Any cold, whether it be refrigerated spoons, cool cucumbers, or ice-cold water, will help reduce red and puffy eyes.
Caffeine and other stimulants
Coffee is revered for many things, but not many people realize it can help with vasoconstriction. Theobromine is another stimulant you could try, and the best part is that theobromine is found in dark chocolate.
So, if you’re worried about the state of your eyes, brew yourself a cup of java. Or dig into a piece of dark chocolate, or both.
The Final Word: Does Delta 8 make your eyes red?
Yes, Delta 8 does make your eyes red. It may not make them as bloodshot as Delta 9 THC, but it certainly causes your eyes to become red.
For a quick fix, make sure you keep a bottle of allergy eye drops. These work faster than you can say vasoconstriction. But, don’t get into the habit of using them daily as they could worsen your bloodshot eyes after prolonged use.
Want to get rid of red eyes the natural way? Drink some coffee, eat some dark chocolate, or sit back for a few minutes with a cold compress.
At the end of the day, bloodshot eyes from Delta 8 are not a health hazard. It can be a nuisance, but it has no accompanying health risk.
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