Does consuming weed cause vasodilatation?

At some point, you’ve probably experienced a bloated face, red and puffy eyes, and dehydrated skin after smoking. Have you ever thought about it and wondered why this happens when you smoke? Does consuming weed cause vasodilatation? The answer is maybe.

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What is vasodilation?

Vasodilation is a mechanism for improving blood flow to areas of the body that are lacking oxygen and/or nutrients. Vasodilation results in a reduction in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and an increase in blood flow, resulting in a reduction in blood pressure.

The term “vasodilation” refers to the opening of the blood vessels in the body.

It is the opposite of “vasoconstriction,” in which the blood vessels in the body close. This is a temporary situation. It occurs naturally in your body in response to triggers such as low oxygen levels, a decrease in available nutrients, and an increase in temperature. It causes your blood vessels to dilate, which in turn increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

Marijuana consumption can cause vasodilatation. When consuming cannabis, blood flow to some parts of the body is restricted or reduced. Oxygen transport is also slowed down and not delivered as quickly. Although this is not dangerous, vasodilatation can occur.

Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that alcohol intake is associated with an immediate decrease in blood pressure (an effect typical of vasodilators), which is followed by a recurrent increase in blood pressure.

The easiest way to recognize this is by the obvious redness of the eyes as well as the swollen/puffy face of the user. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of this physiological mechanism, which is why they attribute it to irritation from smoke.

Some doctors prescribe cannabis-based medicines to patients suffering from glaucoma, hypertension, etc. This is due to the vasodilator response that these medications would produce to lower blood pressure.

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Vasodilation and cannabis

While researchers have managed to find useful medicinal uses for cannabis in the human body, they still have not discovered the full extent of the effects of cannabis use on other organs in the body. And the associated risks are usually underestimated. The vasodilating effect of cannabis is one of the body’s physiological reactions that has been studied.

What Makes Cannabis a Vasodilator?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive element in cannabis. It is the active ingredient that causes a noticeable increase in heart rate and lowered blood pressure.

Another vasodilating effect is dizziness. This is because THC reacts with cannabinoid receptors around the body, particularly in the eyes, to produce these effects.

RELATED: This is what happens when you’re allergic to marijuana

Although THC is not the only cannabinoid responsible for all of these reactions, it is responsible for the majority of these reactions. The amount of THC present in the cannabis strain ingested determines the extent of vasodilatation in the user’s body.

For example, consuming a cannabis strain with less than 15% THC may result in little to no noticeable redness in the eyes compared to consuming a cannabis strain with more than 30% THC. It also depends on the user’s tolerance, because every person’s body anatomy is unique.

What causes redness in the eyes?

The main reason your eyes become red – or bloodshot and puffy – when you consume marijuana is the vasodilatation caused by THC and other cannabinoids found in cannabis. If your eyes become red and swollen, this indicates that there is increased blood flow to your eyeball due to the expansion of blood vessels and capillaries around the eye area.

Once the effects of the medication wear off, the capillaries and blood vessels gradually begin to close and narrow. Until everything is back to normal.

Can vasodilation be stopped?

Vasodilation is an unconscious reaction and therefore cannot be prevented. Nor can it be stopped once it has started. It only stops when the last effects of cannabis wear off in the body. You have no control over how the vasodilation or vasoconstriction works.

However, you can make the effort to mask/cover up the effects of cannabis use by hiding your puffy face and eyes.

Masking of vasodilation

As I mentioned above, vasodilatation cannot be stopped, but with a few techniques you can effectively mask the signs. Here are some ways you can effectively hide your puffy red eyes.

RELATED: Why Smoking Weed Makes Your Eyes Red

Eye drops – allergies and artificial: Allergy drops help with bloodshot eyes. It effectively reduces discomfort and redness. It also helps to soothe the eyes when itching. Artificial tear drops can also help, although they are not as effective as allergy eye drops, which is not surprising.

Both drops contain tetryzoline, which acts as a constricting agent for the blood vessels. And both drops are easily available without a prescription at your nearest pharmacy.

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How to use sunglasses: This is a perfect way to hide marijuana use, especially if you’re not staring into your bloodshot eyes at a public gathering with people.

For example, you can use it for a lecture at university. It’s easy, cheaper and quick: just choose the glasses, put them on and get into the rush. The only downside to this is that you can’t wear sunglasses at night to avoid damaging your eyesight.

Avoid caffeinated drinks: Coffee is also like cannabis, both are vasodilators. Drink enough. If possible, take a very cold bath or put ice packs on your eyes.

Please wait until the symptoms subside: The redness is even reduced and everything goes back to normal. The duration can vary between 1 and 12 hours depending on your body’s tolerance, weight and metabolism. And the strain and dose of cannabis taken. Choose cannabis strains with low THC levels.

Vasodilatation is a temporary problem that can be partially alleviated with some simple measures. There is no long-term danger.