Medically Reviewed By:
Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative MedicineTable Of Contents
Table Of Contents
Does Delta 8 Make Your Eyes Red? What The Research Says
So you’ve heard the tales — or lived them yourself — that when you partake in some type of hemp product, the dreaded red eyes appear. Some people believe that smoke causes red eyes. Novices may dive down the Google rabbit hole to figure out if weed is damaging their eyes (it’s not).
We’ll dig into what delta 8 is, why people get glossy eyes from weed, how you might prevent it, and the different consumption methods to support your needs and lifestyle.
What is delta 8?
Delta 8 is a type of THC. No, it’s not the same as delta 9 from the cannabis plant, and yes, it is legal in most states as long as it adheres to the federal law of below 0.3% delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC is found in small amounts naturally in the hemp plant, so the highest quality brands can convert delta 8 THC from other phytocannabinoids like delta 9 and CBD. Delta 8 is often referred to as "diet weed". Delta 8 has been found to potentially have therapeutic effects and psychoactive effects on the human body.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between smoking delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC is the location of the double carbon bonds and how the high presents itself. Molecularly, the double carbon bond of delta 8 is located on the eighth carbon. Not surprisingly, it’s located on the ninth carbon for delta 9.
It sure can. The high is the most exciting difference between delta 8 and delta 9 because you can get high legally with delta 8 THC. It’s also one of the smoothest highs, leaving your human body feeling light and relaxed. The delta 8 THC high doesn’t have some of the common side effects of a delta 9 high, like couchlock and stress. It can be tailored to fit your needs, whether you want a small amount first thing in the morning or pop a gummy to unwind before bed.
Let’s find out.
Does Delta 8 Make Your Eyes Red?
Why do you get bloodshot eyes after smoking hemp products? It isn’t the smoke itself. It’s dependent on the amount of THC found in the product and its ability to lower blood pressure, which causes your eyes and capillaries to dilate — a process called vasodilation. The dilation causes more blood flow to blood vessels in the eyes, which, in turn, can cause glossy eyes from weed.
It all depends on your body chemistry, blood flow, blood pressure, and more (do you usually get edibles red eyes)? It also depends on how much delta 8 online you’re consuming. Some say they experience no or less red-eye compared to taking a higher amount of a delta 9 product. This could mean their body reacts less and the blood vessels are less affected by the increased blood flow. If you’re consuming a high-quality and legal delta 8 product, it will have less than 0.3% delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 THC Effects
You know what delta 8 THC is. Now it’s time for the fun part — delta 8 effects. The best way to understand the delta 8 effects is, of course, to experience them for yourself. But if you want a small idea of what you might experience with delta 8, keep reading.
For many people, delta 8 is an uplifting and soothing experience. How you feel will greatly depend on a few factors like how much you consume, how much you’ve eaten that day, body chemistry, and things of that nature. Unlike delta 9 THC, delta 8 is usually not reported as causing dry mouth.
If you wake up in the morning feeling without, yet you still need to be a functioning human and go about your day, delta 8 may be something to try. Take a small amount (you’ll want to experiment beforehand to know what feels best) to start your day, and allow it to soften things. If you only take a little bit, does delta 8 make your eyes red? No, it shouldn’t, but again, only by learning your body and how it responds to the delta 8 will give you the truest answer. Delta 8 is generally reported to be less likely to cause bloodshot eyes from blood pressure to blood vessels.
When looking at indica vs sativa, both have similar effects on red eyes and overall blood pressure to blood vessels.
Perhaps you want to get high-high, like a delta 9 high, well… You can’t. But that’s only because you can have a much better high (yes, a high-high) than a delta 9 high. Is delta 8 bad for you? No, not in moderation — like most things.
Below, we’ll answer some questions like: why do eyes get red after smoking, and do carts make your eyes red, what about decreasing blood pressure and intraocular eye pressure?
Do Edibles Make Your Eyes Red?
Red eyes after consuming cannabis, including edibles, are primarily attributed to the active compound called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is known to have vasodilatory effects, meaning it can cause the dilation of blood vessels throughout the body, including the blood vessels in the eyes. This dilation leads to increased blood flow to the eyes, resulting in the appearance of red or bloodshot eyes.
When consuming edibles, THC is metabolized in the liver and converted into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC, which has a longer duration of action and can be more potent than THC itself. The conversion process may contribute to the red eyes experienced by some individuals who consume edibles.
However, it's important to note that not everyone experiences red eyes after consuming edibles. The occurrence of red eyes can vary depending on several factors, including individual differences in physiology, dosage, tolerance, and the specific formulation of the edible product.
Preventing Edibles Red Eyes
Let’s discuss some strategies you can implement to potentially prevent glossy eyes from weed.
When looking for delta 8 gummies, always go for the highest quality you can find. How do you determine quality? By going straight to the source. Always speak with your doctor about ways to lower book pressure, choose eye drops, or if you have any medical condition.
Third-party lab testing. Third-party lab testing results will be your first indicator of quality. Delta 8 THC isn’t a regulated market, so brands can put whatever they want on labels.
Different Consumption Methods And How They Work
Each of the consumption methods for delta 8 will have different results and effects. Each has its benefits, for example, edibles vs vapes have different benefits.
The three most popular delivery methods for delta 8 are:
Edibles.
Edibles come in all flavors and consistencies. You can find delta 8 gummies 1000 mg, brownies, cookies, lollipops, etc. What this means is that the activation time is typically longer than other delivery methods. Activation times can range anywhere from 30 minutes to 2+ hours, so don’t go pop another gummy 30 minutes thinking the first one didn’t work (unless you want to potentially go on a ride).
The edibles high is smooth and longer-lasting than other forms of delta 8 and our favorite way to enjoy delta 8. Red eyes may show up if you consume a high amount of delta 8, so you’ll have to experiment with what’s best for your body.
Tinctures.
Tinctures are a simple way to get delta 8 into your body. You just drop it into your mouth and let it get to work. Activation is relatively quick, around 10 to 15 minutes, but the high doesn’t last quite as long as a delta 8 gummy. Tinctures could give you red eyes.
Inhaling.
Smoking delta 8 is a fast-track way to get it into your system since it’s going straight to the lungs. Do carts make your eyes red? Depending on how much you take and how your body reacts to it, smoking delta 8 can. The drawback to inhaling delta 8 is that combustion is still happening in your lungs, which isn’t so great, even if the product itself is wonderful. Inhaling has been known to give red eyes.
Inhalation activation can happen within minutes, which is helpful if you really need the support of delta 8 at that moment. You may wonder if red eyes differ between vaping and smoking flower, and the answer is the same. Why do eyes get red after smoking? Your eyes get red because of vasodilation — the dilation of the blood vessels leading to increased blood flow to the eyes. Certain amounts of THC encourage this process to happen in the body. So the THC is causing the red eye, not the smoke (although smoke can sometimes irritate eyes depending on who you are).
Do Carts Make Your Eyes Red?
There is a common misconception that carts, specifically shopping carts, can cause red eyes. However, this is not the case - as it is dependent on the product.
Carts do not have any direct effect on the color of your eyes. The redness of your eyes may be caused by a number of factors, including allergies, dryness, fatigue, or eye strain. These issues can be exacerbated by certain environmental factors, such as being in a dry or dusty location or spending long periods of time staring at screens.
If you experience red eyes after using a shopping cart, it is likely due to one of these underlying causes, rather than the cart itself. To address red eyes, you may want to try using artificial tears, taking breaks to rest your eyes, or consulting with a healthcare professional if the redness persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Conclusion
Red eyes might be a concern for some folks, but it shouldn’t deter you from trying out some of the best delta 8 gummies 100 mg. You can always take eye drops to help soften the effects of bloodshot eyes. Delta North is a brand committed to consistency, quality, always-delicious flavors, and education. When looking for that delta 8 high, always aim for the best.
Does delta 8 make your eyes red? It can, depending on your body's blood pressure and blood flow. If you are interested in learning more you can check out our blog on does indica make you sleepy or hyper. It all depends on how much you take, plus a whole host of factors.
Disclaimer: Information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical claims. Always speak with your healthcare professional regarding eye redness and what eye drops to take, if you have decreasing blood pressure, high blood pressure, intraocular eye pressure, or dry mouth.
Clayton McCall
Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.
