Cambridge Study Finds That Use of Cannabis or Other Illicit Drugs Increase Risk for Stroke
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 09, 2026 12 hours, 6 minutes ago
Medical News: Stroke is one of the world’s most serious health threats, ranking as the third leading cause of death and long-term disability globally. While many people associate stroke with aging or genetic risk, scientists increasingly emphasize that many strokes are linked to lifestyle factors that can be changed. Now, a major new analysis conducted by researchers from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Stroke Research Group at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom, has found compelling evidence that recreational drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines significantly increase the risk of stroke—even among younger individuals.
Large Cambridge analysis shows recreational drugs like cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines significantly
raise the risk of stroke, even among younger users
The researchers analyzed medical and health data involving more than 100 million people, making this one of the largest investigations ever conducted into how illicit drug use affects stroke risk.
Recreational Drug Use Is Widespread
Across many countries, recreational drug use has become increasingly common. In England and Wales alone, recent statistics show that about 8.8 percent of adults aged 16 to 59—roughly 2.9 million people—reported using recreational drugs in the past year. In the United States, surveys indicate that more than half of individuals over the age of 12 have tried substances such as cannabis, cocaine, or opioids at least once.
Although past studies suggested possible links between drug use and stroke, the evidence was inconsistent and often limited. To address these gaps, the Cambridge research team conducted a large systematic review and meta-analysis that combined results from 32 previous studies involving hospital records, population datasets, and national health databases.
This
Medical News report highlights how the researchers used advanced analytical methods to produce stronger and more reliable conclusions about how specific drugs affect the brain’s blood vessels.
What the Numbers Reveal
The results showed a clear pattern: certain drugs dramatically increase the likelihood of suffering a stroke.
The analysis found that cocaine nearly doubled the risk of stroke, increasing it by about 96 percent. Amphetamines posed an even greater danger, raising the risk by approximately 122 percent. Cannabis use was also linked to increased stroke risk, though to a lesser degree, with an increase of about 37 percent.
Interestingly, the study did not find a statistically significant connection between opioid use and stroke overall, although researchers noted that additional research is needed to better understand potential long-term effects.
When scientists focused specifically on people under the age of 55, the findings became even more concerning. Among younger users, amphetamines were associated with an almost threefold increase in st
roke risk, while cocaine still nearly doubled the risk. Cannabis use also increased stroke likelihood in younger populations, though the effect was smaller compared with stimulants.
Genetic Evidence Strengthens the Case
To determine whether drug use itself causes stroke—or simply occurs alongside other unhealthy behaviors—the researchers used a method known as Mendelian randomization. This technique examines naturally occurring genetic variations associated with substance use disorders to help identify cause-and-effect relationships.
The genetic analysis revealed that cocaine dependence was strongly associated with certain types of stroke, including intracerebral hemorrhage and cardioembolic stroke, where blood clots travel from the heart to the brain. Cannabis use disorder showed links to large artery stroke, a condition involving major blood vessels supplying the brain.
These genetic findings strengthen the argument that the drugs themselves contribute directly to stroke risk rather than merely being linked to other harmful lifestyle factors.
How Drugs May Trigger Stroke
Scientists believe several biological mechanisms may explain why these substances increase stroke risk. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure, placing extreme stress on blood vessels in the brain. They can also trigger vasospasm, where blood vessels constrict suddenly and restrict blood flow.
Other possible effects include irregular heart rhythms, increased blood clot formation, inflammation of blood vessels, and damage to the lining of arteries. Cannabis may also increase platelet activity, making the blood more likely to clot.
Any of these changes can disrupt blood flow to the brain or cause bleeding inside the brain—both of which are major causes of stroke.
Conclusion
The findings from this extensive research offer one of the clearest pictures yet of how recreational drug use may affect the brain’s blood supply. By combining data from millions of individuals with genetic analysis, the study provides powerful evidence that drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis are not merely associated with stroke risk but may actively contribute to it. This is especially concerning because many users perceive cannabis or certain stimulants as relatively harmless recreational substances. The results also highlight an important public health message: stroke prevention is not only about managing blood pressure or cholesterol but also about addressing substance misuse.
Reducing drug abuse could play a significant role in lowering stroke rates worldwide, particularly among younger populations who may otherwise believe they are at low risk of serious cerebrovascular disease.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Stroke.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17474930261418926
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Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cannabis
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