Stoner Eyes; What They Are + How to Prevent Them
It’s happened to the best of us…
Whether you're an avid stoner, or you’ve never touched a joint in your life, chances are you're familiar with the stereotypical events that occur after smoking weed.
From cases of cottonmouth to fits of giggles, the side effects of Mary Jane can be pretty evident. However, there is one special reaction to smoking cannabis that is a big tell-tale sign that someone has been enjoying themselves: stoner eyes.
It’s happened to the best of us. But, there are some occasions where sporting a pair of bright red eyeballs just won’t do. If you’re trying to have a good time AND avoid the tell-tale “stoner eyes,” here are a few things you should know…
First of All: What Causes Stoner Eyes?
Here’s a brief science lesson:
When you smoke pot, the chemical compound tetrahydrocannabinol (AKA THC, the one that gets you high) travels through your bloodstream and interacts with certain areas of parts of your brain (like the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex) causing the “high.
Obviously it’s a tiny bit more complicated than that–but, the overall concept is pretty easy to understand (unless you've had one too many edibles).
The familiar red, glassy-eyed stoner eyes used to be attributed to the smoke billowing from your bowl or blunt. However, science tells us now that weed makes your eyes red for the same reason that it sometimes makes you dizzy: vasodilation.
In the medical world, vasodilation is what takes place when the muscles in the walls of our arteries (or larger veins) chill TF out, which results in the widening (or dilation) of your blood vessels. The opening of these blood vessels leads to faster blood flow through your veins, and subsequently a decrease in blood pressure.
Since your eyes contains large amounts of small blood vessels, as they expand they become much more visible, which turns them bright red–the unmistakable, telltale sign that you’ve smoked a whole lot of weed.
You might be wondering, “can I prevent stoner eyes?”
Well, the simple answer is no.
Vasodilation occurs at a subconscious level, so you have no ability to control this process. BUT, all hope is not lost. If you’re trying to avoid stoner eyes, here are a few things that might help:
5 Ways to Prevent Stoner Eyes
USE EYEDROPS
A mainstay in the cannabis culture, eyedrops have been effectively masking stoner eyes for decades. After 10 seconds and maybe a slight burn, those cherried-eyes turn snow-white. Since THC decreases eye pressure, the eye drops help to constrict the blood vessels in your eyes. This eliminates the redness, and the chance that your coworkers will give you funny looks.
SPLASH COLD WATER
Cold water is also an excellent vasoconstrictor, forcing your body to push blood toward the core as part of a survival instinct (protecting your vital organs against the cold). This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to jump in a cold shower or get in an ice bath–although that could be sort of fun and would definitely make Mr. Wim Hof proud. You can achieve similar effects just by splashing some super cold water on your face.
Also, placing an ice pack over your eyes for a short period of can also help you get rid of the dreaded stoner eyes. Cold cucumber slices will work wonders, too.
SMOKE LESS THC
If stoner eyes are a regular issue, then the solution might be to decrease the amount of THC you’re smoking. Since THC is the main culprit of bloodshot eyes, smoking it in lower amounts could do the trick.
Low THC strains don’t necessarily mean less of a good time. There are still plenty of cannabinoids + terpenes that combine through the entourage effect to provide a fantastic experience.
The Green Light on Red, Stoner Eyes
If you've ever noticed your eyes were red like hell after you smoked a joint or hit your bong, there is nothing you should worry about. In fact, exhale with ease, because this means your body is running smoothly. For now, enjoy your baked face and stoner eyes, and master the art of shielding yourself from those who aren't supposed to notice that you’re higher than the clouds.
Do you have any tricks up your sleeve for preventing a case of stoner eyes? Drop em in the comments below to help a fellow stoner out…
DISCLAIMER : This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Readers should note that laws governing cannabis, hemp and CBD are evolving, as is information about the efficacy and safety of those substances. As such, the information contained in this post should not be construed as legal or medical advice. Always consult your physician prior to trying any substance or supplement. Please note that Girls with grass contains content about marijuana/cannabis and other related substances that are illegal under federal law and may well be illegal under state law in certain states.
