Eyes of someone who is high

We look people in the eye out of a natural desire to know them, to listen, and to experience their lives. Your eyes are always dilating and constricting getting smaller all throughout the day.

Specifically though, why do certain drugs and substances cause eyes to dilate? Their pupils were massive! The scientific term for pupils dilating is mydriasis. When a pupil gets smaller it is called miosis. This means when your pupils are getting wider due to light it will only be because they have already constricted. And why do our pupils get smaller in response to light? Similarly, our pupils will get smaller to help us see things that are closer to us. That is an incredibly simplified version of how it works, however.

The third reason for dilation, a response to an outside or internal stimulus, is where our interest lies here. When a drug or substance that affects your nervous system is introduced into your body it has a chance of affecting your eyes. A variety of drugs can cause this, some prescription and some not. The most common type of drugs that cause miosis are opiates.

There are some other interesting facts about pupil constriction in relation to opiates like heroin and morphine. Comment on this on our Facebook page! Enter your keywords. Sign-Up Here. Ada McVean B. AdaMcVean Want to engage with this content? What to read next Washing your hair? In many cases, a person who is high will recover, or "come down," on his own without any danger.

In other cases, however, a high person might need help. Observing someone's high can help you determine if he is likely to need medical attention or assistance getting home safely. It is especially crucial to notice if someone has been drugged by someone else. You should also smell the person to see if you pick up smoke or a sweet scent, which could be a sign they've been smoking drugs. When the person swallows or talks, check if they smack their lips, salivate a lot, or clench their teeth, as these are potential symptoms of being high.

Additionally, listen to how they talk, since someone who is high may speak too quickly or have difficulty talking. Make sure to pay attention to intense emotions, since someone who is high may be euphoric, aggressive, or relaxed. For tips on how to spot the signs of habitual drug use, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Look into the person's eyes.

Smoking a drug can cause red or watery eyes. Pupils that are constricted or dilated can be a sign of narcotics, stimulants, or club drugs. Check for rapid or unnecessary eye movements. Involuntary eye movements, or nystagmus, are symptomatic of many kinds of drug use.

Someone who is high on painkillers may have trouble keeping their eyes open. Smell the person. Someone who has smoked marijuana might smell sweet, smoky, or skunky. A chemical or metallic smell might mean they inhaled a toxic household product, such as glue or paint thinner.

A smell of incense, air freshener, or powerful perfume or cologne might be intended to cover up the smell of a drug that has been smoked. Observe the person's mouth. Listen to his swallowing and observe the way it moves. Salivation and lip smacking can be signs of dry mouth, a sign of drug use. Licking of the lips, frequent clenching of the teeth or twisting of the jaw might mean that someone is high on club drugs. Observe the person's nose.

A bloody nose with no other apparent cause can mean that someone has snorted a drug, such as cocaine, meth, or a narcotic. A runny or congested nose can have many causes but combined with other symptoms it could signify that someone is high.

Frequent rubbing of the nose can also be a sign. Observe the person's hands. Shaking hands can be a sign of club drugs, inhalants, or hallucinogens. Palm sweat can be a sign of intoxication. Burned fingertips can be a sign that crack cocaine was smoked.