CBD is all the rage with new products popping up every day, but since it’s connected to cannabis, there are many people who don’t want people to know they’re using it. One of the telltale signs of standard cannabis use is red eyes, so does CBD cause the same issue?
People worry that if CBD causes red eyes, then others will assume they’re using standard marijuana instead of CBD. Does CBD oil make your eyes red? We’ll examine what causes red eyes if CBD does it and the difference between CBD and THC.
You’ll be educated on what CBD does and doesn’t do, so you can use CBD with confidence.
CBD and THC: What’s the Difference?
Standard marijuana is made up of many chemicals including CBD and THC. There are many more as well, these are the most commonly talked about. When you use cannabis, you receive both and thus feel the effects of both.
CBD is most commonly connected with and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies also examine its use for seizures and many other medical issues from pain relief to cancer treatment. In CBD products, the CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, so it’s the only cannabis chemical impacting your body.
It’s used in everything from oils for ingestion to creams for rubbing on sore and aching joints.
THC is the chemical most associated with the high or psychedelic effect of cannabis. It also causes paranoia and other common side effects of marijuana. CBD products do not have THC in them because that would make them illegal.
In 2018, the U.S. government made hemp, the parent plant of marijuana, to be commercially produced in the U.S. It also made products that use CBD legal for sale, but only CBD and not THC. There are some states that made marijuana legal for recreational use and they use both CBD and THC.
People still associate CBD with marijuana, which has led to a stigma and the need to secretly take CBD products.
Does CBD Oil Make Your Eyes Red?
We can definitively say that CBD oil and CBD products do not cause red eyes. There are two main ways people take CBD: ingestion and skin contact. Neither of these will cause red eyes.
The most common side effects of CBD have included headaches and slight nausea. Even if you were to overdose on CBD, which is difficult to do, it would not cause red eyes.
THC is the cannabis component connected to red eyes.
Why Does THC Make Eyes Red?
CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system in the body. It runs all throughout your body and impacts everything from the nervous system to your eyes. The endocannabinoid system has receptors that CBD and THC connect to.
CBD connects with mostly CB2 receptors and THC binds with both. The effect it has on the body depends on which cannabinoid bonded with the receptor. One of the factors that THC impacts is the pressure of the fluid around the eyes.
When THC binds with CB1 receptors it alleviates pressure around the eye and expands veins. This is one of the reasons it works so well with glaucoma patients, but the side effect is red eyes. When people smoke marijuana and get red eyes, it is from THC and not CBD.
The more THC is in the marijuana and the more of it is smoked or ingested causes the red eyes to get worse.
It requires bonding with CB1 receptors and CBD only bonds with CB2. Therefore, there is no reason why CBD should cause red eyes and you don’t have to worry about public perception concerning the use of CBD products.
What if Still Have Red Eyes?
Can CBD make your eyes red? No. If you started taking CBD products and noticed red eyes, then the cause is likely biological or environmental and not connected to the CBD.
Dryness is a common cause of red and bloodshot eyes. If you have a furnace or other heat source in your home, it could dry the air and lead to red eyes. You can purchase a humidifier to help add moisture to the air or use eye drops.
Red eyes can also be caused by irritation such as dust and other particulates in the air. The dust gets into your eyes and irritates them, leading to red eyes. An air filtration system takes these irritants out of the air and can help alleviate red eyes.
If you wear contacts for extended periods of time, then they can cause red eyes. Take them out and wear glasses if you notice your eyes getting red.
Red eyes are also a common issue with multiple eye problems including eye infections. If you notice red eyes that don’t get better or are associated with pain, then contact your eye doctor right away. You could have a serious eye problem that could impact your vision.
CBD Won’t Get Rid of THC Red Eye
CBD is known to counteract many of the effects of THC, but it won’t get rid of red eyes. People believe if they smoke or ingest cannabis and it causes red eyes, CBD will relieve the red eye. This is not correct.
CBD doesn’t bind with the receptor connected with red eyes. Therefore, it cannot change or alleviate the effect of THC caused red eye. If you have red eye caused by cannabis, your best chance is to cover it with sunglasses or use replenishing eye drops to alleviate symptoms.
Use CBD With Confidence
Does CBD oil make your eyes red? No. It doesn’t cause red eye and doesn’t alleviate the symptoms as well. The red eye culprit is the THC component.
You don’t have to worry about physical reactions to CBD oil when it comes to clueing people in that you’re taking it. It has no outward signs. You can use your CBD products with confidence and enjoy their many benefits.
If you would like to know more about CBD products and how they impact your body, then please explore our site.