A stroke can seem like a danger reserved for later in life. But the brain’s blood supply can be disrupted at almost any age, and a new analysis suggests recreational drug use may put younger adults at greater risk than many realize.
After examining research involving more than 100 million people, scientists linked cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamine use with a higher likelihood of stroke. Published in the International Journal of Stroke, the findings suggest these substances may contribute directly when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptures.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted on recreational drug use and stroke risk and provides compelling evidence that drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis are causal risk factors for stroke. These findings give us stronger evidence to guide future research and public health strategies,” said study author Megan Ritson in a press release.
Cocaine, Cannabis, and Amphetamines Linked to Stroke Risk
Across all age groups, cocaine use was associated with a 96 percent increase in stroke risk, while amphetamine use was linked to a 122 percent increase. Cannabis use was associated with a smaller but still significant 37 percent rise.
The pattern remained when researchers focused on people younger than 55. Amphetamine use was associated with a 174 percent increase — nearly triple the risk — while cocaine was linked to a 97 percent increase. Cannabis was associated with a 14 percent increase.
Explore All OptionsStroke is the world’s third-leading cause of death and disability combined, but many of its risk factors can be modified.
“Our analysis suggests that it is these drugs themselves that increase the risk of stroke, not just other lifestyle factors among users,” explained Alzheimer’s Society Research Fellow Eric Harshfield. “Taken together, our findings emphasize the importance of public health measures to reduce substance abuse as a way of helping also reduce stroke risk.”
Read More: Cannabis Drinks Are Growing in Popularity — and Helping Some People Drink Less Alcohol
How Researchers Analyzed More Than 100 Million People
The team pooled evidence from 32 studies in a meta-analysis. This revealed broad patterns, but observational findings alone cannot prove causation because drug users may differ in other ways that influence risk.
Researchers therefore added Mendelian randomization, which tests whether genetic variants associated with an exposure are also connected with an outcome.
The genetic results supported potential causal links between cocaine use disorder and both brain hemorrhage and cardioembolic stroke, in which a clot travels to the brain. Cannabis use disorder was linked to stroke overall and particularly to large-artery stroke. Amphetamines could not undergo this analysis because suitable data were unavailable.
Why Recreational Drugs May Increase Stroke Risk
Cocaine and amphetamines can trigger blood pressure surges and cause blood vessels to narrow or spasm. Pressure may rupture a weakened vessel, while restricted blood flow can starve the brain of oxygen.
These substances may also disturb heart rhythms, allowing clots to form. Cannabis has been associated with platelet clumping and changes in blood-vessel control, while amphetamines may promote blood-vessel inflammation. Long-term cocaine use can also accelerate plaque buildup.
The results do not mean that every recreational drug user will have a stroke, but they do challenge the idea that stroke is only an older person’s concern and identify recreational drug use as a potentially preventable risk factor.
This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
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Article Sources
Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
- This article references information from a study published in the International Journal of Stroke: Does illicit drug use increase stroke risk? A systematic review, meta-analyses, and Mendelian randomization analysis
