Myth Busted: Marijuana Does Not Cause Stroke

Every year, a significant number of people in the United States die from strokes—about 1 in every 20 deaths. Some reports have suggested a link between marijuana use and stroke, but is there any real evidence to support this claim?

A recent study titled “Association Between Recent Marijuana Use and Acute Ischemic Stroke,” led by Carmela San-Luis, examined the supposed connection and found none. Previous studies had linked marijuana to stroke, suggesting that the risk of developing an ischemic stroke could increase by up to 29% among marijuana users. While these results were questionable, they shocked many people and caused a stir.

Dr. Bonni Goldstein, director of Canna-Centers Wellness & Education in California, commented on the topic:

“Studies on the dangers of marijuana have many issues when it comes to establishing causation. It’s extremely difficult to isolate the vast number of variables involved in these types of studies.”

To begin with, stroke risk is influenced by many factors, including overall health and obesity. For example, some studies did not account for factors such as alcohol, tobacco, or pharmaceutical drugs used by participants. According to Dr. Goldstein, without considering these variables, the research is not particularly useful.

While there is plenty of evidence that marijuana and CBD can help with a range of medical issues, there is also some evidence that marijuana may not be suitable for people with certain heart conditions. Doctors often encourage patients to use low doses of marijuana and lower THC levels, as well as to use more CBD-dominant medications. To date, there are no studies showing that marijuana is harmful to the heart. While it may raise blood pressure in some cases, this does not mean it causes heart attacks.

Another study, published in 2017 in the journal Stroke Issue by the American Heart Association, examined about 50,000 men from Sweden. The researchers found no link between marijuana use, heart disease, or strokes. According to Dr. Goldstein, marijuana may even reduce stroke risk factors in some people.

“In fact, cannabinoids are neuroprotective antioxidants that support the brain, and CBD protects against stroke. There is evidence to support this, such as a 2010 study that concluded CBD—a compound in marijuana—has positive pharmacological effects in ischemic stroke and other chronic diseases,” said Dr. Goldstein.

Researchers are even considering marijuana compounds as a realistic option for targeted treatment of inflammation after a stroke, which means marijuana could potentially be used to treat stroke victims in the future.