Tag: Drug effects on pupils

According to a 2023 press release regarding FDA approval for a drug reversing pharmacologically induced mydriasis, over 100 million thorough eye examinations involving dilating drops are performed in the United States each year. This common procedure, which intentionally causes mydriasis, highlights the significant role that various medications and substances play in affecting pupil size. Beyond clinical settings, a wide array of prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs can also lead to dilated pupils.

According to medical professionals, observing pupil size can provide valuable clues about a person's state of intoxication, but it's not a straightforward answer. The physiological response to drugs is complex, meaning the answer to the question, "Are your pupils supposed to be big or small when high?", depends entirely on the substance consumed.