“The face is a portrait of the mind, and the eyes are its interpreter.”
– Marcus Cicero
You know what your teen looks like, and when that same kid suddenly has wide, dilated pupils, you notice. This can leave you wondering what is going on. Is your kid taking something? What exactly causes dilated pupils?
California ranks in the bottom third of all states when it comes to teen and youth well-being. Many parents are left wondering what else they can do, and that sense of being overwhelmed only increases when their child takes an illicit substance.
At BNI Treatment Centers, we know how challenging it can be for parents raising adolescents. That’s why we specialize in adolescent care, bringing a laser-focused approach to teen treatment. Today, we’re going to discuss pupil dilation – why it happens, and what drugs cause dilated pupils.
What Causes Dilated Pupils?
The pupil is the dark opening positioned at the center of your eye. This is where light passes through, going on to the back of your retina. It naturally widens and closes, controlling the amount of light that comes in. When this opening widens and grows larger, it’s known as pupil dilation, and its opposite is known as pupil contraction.
This can happen for a variety of reasons. The first is due to the light in the surrounding environment. When it’s bright around you, your pupil will contract to take in less light. The opposite is true in darkness, where the pupil will dilate to take in more light. You can see this in action for yourself – if you briefly look into a lamp, then quickly into a mirror, you can see your pupils rapidly shrink.
Pupils can also dilate due to emotional reasons, in response to chemicals in the brain. Emotions such as excitement or fear can cause this response, as can concentration. The body prepares itself to take in as much information as possible, so it dilates the pupils. Additionally, oxytocin in the brain can lead to dilated pupils, often felt in emotions such as belonging or love.
Yet sometimes, pupils can remain dilated, even in bright or low-stress environments. Instead of naturally fluctuating, they stay static. While this can happen with certain medications or injuries, it is most commonly associated with recreational drug use. When pupils remain dilated for extended periods of time, it’s important to address with your teenager immediately, as this can be a sign of substance use or an underlying medical condition.
Why Do Some Drugs Cause Dilated Pupils?
When your teenager takes illicit drugs, their system is flooded with neurochemicals. These typically include dopamine, hijacking the reward pathways of the brain. This is what causes the feeling of “getting high”, along with the other effects of substance use.
However, the impact of these chemicals doesn’t end there. In addition to dopamine, other chemicals spike in the body, leading to dangerous health consequences and other effects. While the specifics will depend on the substance taken, one of these many effects is dilated pupils.
Which Drugs Cause Dilated Pupils?
Dilated pupils can result from a huge array of substances. The opposite effect, constricted or “pinpoint” pupils can happen as well, though only in specific instances.
As a broad rule, stimulants and many psychotropic drugs lead to dilated pupils. Opioids and narcotics tend to have the opposite effect, leading to constricted pupils instead.
While no list can be comprehensive, below you’ll find a chart displaying common illicit substances, and whether or not they might lead to dilated pupils. If you suspect your teen of taking illicit substances, it’s important to confront them immediately. Dilated pupils, if not the result of substance use, can signal underlying medical conditions.
| Substance Name | Effects | Dilated Pupils? |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Impairs motor function, lowers inhibitions and depresses heart rate. | Yes |
| Cocaine | Stimulant, often used for bursts of energy or focus, increases heart rate. | Yes |
| Marijuana | Alters perception and mood, inducing relaxation and euphoria. | Yes |
| Marijuana | Alters perception and mood, inducing relaxation and euphoria. | Yes |
| Nicotine(Cigarettes) | Can act as both a stimulant and a depressant. Increases relaxation and alertness, depending | No, Constricted |
| Amphetamines | Stimulant, typically inducing giddiness and high energy while increasing heart rate | Yes |
| Opioids/Narcotics | These bind to receptors in the brain, providing pain relief and inducing intense euphoria | Yes |
| LSD / Hallucinogens | Induces hallucinations and a sense of euphoria | Yes |
| Nitrous Oxide (Whippets) | Induces giddiness and euphoria, as well as a sense of relaxation | No Significant Effect |
Getting Help for Substance Use Disorder Near Los Angeles
If you believe your teen might be taking illicit substances, finding them with dilated pupils can often confirm these suspicions. No amount of substance use is safe for teenagers, and it’s important your teen receives the help they need. There are many programs that provide detox for teens, allowing them to get their lives back on track.
At BNI Treatment Centers, our psychiatrists specialize in adolescent treatment. They work step by step with your teenager to make sure they have the hands-on care and attention needed to succeed. We provide on-site educational staff as well, who work to tutor and assist your teen with their homework. This allows them to pursue their recovery without putting their life on hold. To learn more about our world-class programs today, call us at (888) 522-1504.
BNI Treatment Centers: Science-based, evidence-backed, compassion-led.
FAQs
Q: What are some other causes of dilated pupils?
Dilated pupils can happen for a variety of non-substance reasons. Strong emotions can cause the eyes to shift, as can intense focus. Feelings of comfort or belonging typically cause pupils to dilate, as can low-light environments.
