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Ocular Effects of Substance Use – How and Why Drugs Change Your Eyes

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Eyes are the windows to the soul. You can tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes, like how they’re feeling, if they’re lying about something, and often times, if they’re high on drugs. While not all substances affect our eyes the same way, most of them do impact our peepers in some way. From pupil dilation and constriction to bloodshot, watery eyes, it’s a very common and simple way to determine if a person may be on drugs, and which ones.  

Ocular manifestations of drug use 

One of the significant side effects from drugs is changes in the appearance of the eyes, including the pupil’s motion and size and the color of the whites. Many drugs from illicit ones to legal substances to prescription drugs, in all different classes from cannabis to opiates to amphetamines, all of them have effects on the eyes.  

Some of these effects are short term, like the ones mentioned above, while some are more severe and can lead to lasting changes in vision. For now, we’ll focus on the former, immediate effects that indicate current intoxication. These include bloodshot and/or watery eyes, dilated pupils, and pinpoint pupils.  

Bloodshot eyes 

Many irritants like make-up and various chemicals, medical conditions such as allergies, and several different substances can cause red, bloodshot, eyes – which is a result of expanding blood vessels in the sclera. Chronic dry eye can also cause redness in the eyes, as your body is not producing enough tears to keep them properly lubricated.  

Again, there are many different drugs that can make your eyes red but most commonly, you see it when people drink too much alcohol, smoke weed, or use cocaine. As a regular pot smoker that also suffers from chronic dry eye, I use eyedrops pretty much anytime I leave the house, just to not look like I’m baked out of my mind while out in public.  

Dilated pupils  

Some substances trigger the body’s fight or flight adrenaline response by interacting with serotonin and adrenergic receptors in our sympathetic nervous system. This chemical reaction leads to mydriasis, the muscle relaxation that allows the eye’s pupil to expand and let in more light. Pupils also dilate naturally due to changes in light and emotional events, for example, pupils can dilate when a person is scared, stressed, or sexually aroused.  

Close up of a very dilated pupil

Stimulants are most commonly cause pupil dilation. However, this symptom can result from ingesting alcohol, cocaine, cannabis in rare cases, and it’s pretty common with most hallucinogens as well such as MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine. SSRI antidepressants are also known to cause pupil dilation. What’s also interesting is that opiates cause the opposite effect, constriction of the pupils, but opioid withdrawal can cause the pupils to dilate. 

I’ve experienced pupil dilation when using MDMA and psilocybin, but since I typically use those types of drugs at night, I didn’t really notice any changes to my vision. In my younger years, I sometimes used ecstasy during the day, and I do remember feeling like my eyes were more sensitive to sunlight – sunglasses were my best friend. As a matter of fact, I’ve met people who were rolling and wore their sunglasses at night too, so I guess the struggle is real for some.   

Pinpoint pupils  

Whereas dilation due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system, it’s stimulation of the parasympathetic system, known for “rest and digest” functions, that causes constriction, or pinpoint pupils. Pinpoint pupils appear and remain very small even in darkness. 

Pupil constriction can have natural causes, like exposure to bright lights and aging. It’s also a side effect of certain medications, or could be caused by hemorrhaging or poisoning. It can also indicate opiate use, but unlike dilated pupils, pinpoint pupils are often a sign of a possible overdose. If your friend or family member displays this symptom and their eyes are not responding to light, call 911 immediately.  

Other central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium) and barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital) can cause pinpoint pupils. These drugs act on the brain’s GABA receptors, which play a role in pupil size regulation. 

Other effects

In addition to the above-listed side effects, which are the most frequently discussed, there are quite a few other eye-related tells that point to intoxication. For example, when people use alcohol, opiates, and other downers, it’s common to experience heavy, droopy eyelids. From an outsider’s perspective, it almost looks like the person is starting to fall asleep because their eyes will barely stay open.  

Heavy eyelids that make a person look like they’re nodding off are common

With amphetamines, twitching can happen pretty often. This can be in various parts of the body, but it does often occur in the eyelids. It can be subtle, but sometimes it’s extremely noticeable. Other ocular symptoms can include blurred vision (common when people drink too much, but other substances can cause this too), slowed reaction time or jerky eye movements (which is why police ask suspects to follow their fingers when testing for sobriety), and glazed over eyes (stoned eyes).   

Final Thoughts

Listen to the eyes, they have much to say; especially when it comes to a person’s current state of mind. Again, it doesn’t really matter what class of drugs you’re talking about, most of them have some type of effects on the eyes. Some are very obvious, like extremely dilate pupils or severe twitching, but some can be more subtle, or can be attributed to many other causes, like redness. So whether you’re checking for drug use in someone else, or trying to hide your own drug use, remember to always take a quick glance at your eyes before doing something important.

Hello readers. We’re happy to have you with us at Cannadelics.com; a news source here to bring you the best in independent reporting for the growing cannabis and hallucinogen fields. Join us frequently to stay on top of everything, and subscribe to our Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, for updates straight to your email. Check out some awesome promos for cannabis buds, smoking devices and equipment like vapes, edibles, cannabinoid compounds, magic mushroom products, and a whole bunch more. Let’s all get high together!



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Cannabis Rescheduling Takes The Next Steps

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The Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling takes the next step

The Department of Justice is moving marijuana rescheduling to the next step. The administration has proposed moving the drug from Schedule I, a strict classification including drugs like heroin, to Schedule III, which is more on the level of Tylenol. It also marks the federal government acknowledgement the plants medical benefits. The industry will watch over the next few months as the process of moving it forward grinds ahead.

RELATED: Americans Want It, Some Politicians Prefer a Nanny State

President Joe Biden announced move on his official account on X (formerly known as Twitter.  In a video Biden shared “This is monumental, It’s an important move towards reversing long-standing inequities. … Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it.”

Vice President Kamala Harris also released a video Thursday, hailing the progress. It seems she has progressed in her position over the last 5 years.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

A key part of the next step is a 60-day comment period. This will allow any and all parties to provide information, opinion, support or random thoughts. Already a group of GOP Senators want to either slow or stop the process. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) has started leading an effort to stall the plan if not outright stop it. They are going against the general public opinion with 85%+ believe it should be legal in some form.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is not 100% on board and there are still hurdles to rescheduling. After the comment person, there could be a review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process.  The total process can take from 3 months to a year, although it is unlikely the issue will not be resolved before the election.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

Considering the stance of the federal government, Senator Mitch McConnell, and certain other opponents, the road is still going to be a bit bumpy.  The industry, in an awkward growth mood, is in need of the government not to be a hindrance.  But only time will tell.



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Slovakia And Cannabis

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Despite being landlocked – it become a tourist destination for it’s beautiful outdoors – but can you chill in Slovakia?

The Slovak Republic came into being in 1993 after  centuries under Russia, Austria, monarchs and more. Beautiful towns, breathtaking outdoors and affordable prices makes the country a tourist hot spot. They receive as many tourists and they have citizens, so the place is hopping. But what about Slovakia and cannabis? Well, not so breaktaking.

RELATED: Americans Want It, Some Politicians Prefer a Nanny State

Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with Catholics a majority of the population. It ranks the 46th of the richest country in the world. The capital, Bratislava, is the -richest region of the European Union with 90% of citizens owning their homes.  Traditionally more Euro friendly, it has lately become polarized and embracing a backward phase, which has hurt in the way of cannabis use.  The attempted assassination of the Prime Minster, whose government seems to be at least open to listening about the benefits of medical marijuana, is another set back.

Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

Canada, the United States and some of Europe is taking a more modern approach to cannabis allowing for medical, and increasingly, full recreational.  Bringing a healthy illicit market into the legal sphere has been a boon for tax revenue and has unexpected positive effect for the population. The medical community has embraced the plant for its currently know medical benefits and are pushing for research.  But in Slovakia, marijuana is illegal and possession of even small amounts of the drug (a joint) can lead to lengthy prison terms. Having a small amount can end with the offender spending up to eight years in prison.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

The country was once joined with the Czech Republic, who allows personal possession has  since it was decriminalized in January 2010 with medical cannabis has been legal since 1 April 2013. Unlike Slovakia, which is prominently Catholic, the  Czechs are less religious and have a pragmatic and practical view of the world.

If you are visiting, you should be very careful bringing or buying anything in country.



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Does Francis Ford Coppola Consume Weed

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His talent created Apocalypse Now, the Godfather movies and now Megalopolis – but does he consume marijuana?

He is a legend in the film industry and directed Apocalypse Now and the Godfather. He burst on onto the scene in the 1960s and 70s and brought in a new generation of movies. Known as one of the greatest directors of all time, he also went on to make a name in the wine industry. Displayed at one of the wineries are some of his five Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d’Or, and his British Academy Film Award (BAFTA). With all the creativity and pressure, does Francis Ford Coppola consume weed?

RELATED: Vinyls and Marijuana Go Together

The 60s and 70s were when weed came out of the closet and from New York to LA creatives, artists, celebrities and every day people tried a little. “Turn on, tune in, drop out” was the counterculture-era phrase popularized by Timothy Leary in 1966. The talented director was able to reflect the past and embrace the new with his film.  It was one of his early successes, Apocalypse Now, which  marijuana burst into the open. There are great clips of Dennis Hopper stoned on set.

Megalopolis could be the last major project film for the director, and it has taken him 40 years to get it made.  His unique approach is again make headlines with the team sharing he has spent hours on end smoking plenty of cannabis while everybody waited.

“I never took any drugs in my life at all except for some grass,” Coppola said. “I found that the effect that the grass would have on me is interesting. One, it would make me extremely focused, so if I was trying to evaluate a script or write a script, I wasn’t thinking of all the things where my feelings were hurt about this or I was worried about that.”

He added, “I’m sure grass affects different people in different ways. For me, I tended to be very focused. If I smoked a joint, I couldn’t fall asleep. I’d want to work. And often, I stayed up all night trying to rewrite a script.”

RELATED: How To Microdose Marijuana

A savoy businessman, he turns his passion into money. His love of wine had made him money with two wineries, his love of beauty and travel has brought him a luxury hotels and his love of cannabis has brought him into the industry. Coppola launched Sana Company in partnership with Humboldt Brothers in 2018 and released the brand known as The Grower’s Series.

 



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