Marijuana & Vision: Magic Weed?

Marijuana’s effects are primarily caused by a chemical known as THC. When THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel high by affecting the pleasure center in the brain. 

Marijuana has a few key effects on the eyes as well. One of the most noticeable occurs shortly after smoking the drug: redness of eyes. THC in marijuana lowers blood pressure, which dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the body.

Marijuana is used in some cases medicinally to treat eye conditions like glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve and is the second leading cause of blindness. Patients with glaucoma have increased eye pressure, which causes damage to the optic nerve and leads to peripheral vision loss.

Listen in to learn more about side effects, statistics, and medicinal uses of marijuana.