A new study says that cannabis use may also double the stroke risk in young adults, besides being linked with heart attack and emphysema, a progressive lung disease causing shortness of breath.
Brain research scientists from the University of Auckland showed that those who suffered ischemic stroke (loss of blood supply to the brain) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) when blood flow to the brain stops momentarily) were 2.3 times more likely to have cannabis detected in urine tests as other age and sex matched patients.
Cannabis
Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, recreational, and industrial use and comes from a bushy plant with thick sticky flowers called Cannabis Sativa
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"This is the first case-controlled study to show a possible link to the increased risk of stroke from cannabis," said Alan Barber, lead study investigator and professor of clinical neurology at Auckland, according to an Auckland statement.
"Cannabis has been thought by the public to be a relatively safe, although illegal, substance. This study shows this might not be the case; it may lead to stroke," said Barber.
![Stroke Risk High After Cannabis Use]( "Stroke Risk High After Cannabis Use")
Young adults must know that cannabis can up the risk of stroke by more than double, a recent research and analysis of 160 stroke and mini-stroke victims aged between 18 and 55 has revealed.
His study included 160 ischemic stroke/TIA patients aged 18-55 years who had urine screens upon hospitalisation.
Among the patients, 150 had ischemic stroke and 10 had TIAs.
Sixteen percent of patients tested positive for cannabis, and were mostly male who also smoked tobacco, while only 8.1 percent of controls tested positive for cannabis in urine samples.
Researchers found no differences in age, stroke mechanism or most vascular risk factors between cannabis users and non-users.
In previous case reports, ischemic stroke and TIAs developed hours after cannabis use, said Barber.
"These patients usually had no other vascular risk factors apart from tobacco, alcohol and other drug usage."
The study provides the strongest evidence to date of an association between cannabis and stroke, he said.
Barber presented these findings at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013 in Honolulu.
Source: IANS
Stroke Risk High After Cannabis Use
Young adults must know that cannabis can up the risk of stroke by more than double, a recent research and analysis of 160 stroke and mini-stroke victims aged between 18 and 55 has revealed.
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His study included 160 ischemic stroke/TIA patients aged 18-55 years who had urine screens upon hospitalisation.
Among the patients, 150 had ischemic stroke and 10 had TIAs.
Sixteen percent of patients tested positive for cannabis, and were mostly male who also smoked tobacco, while only 8.1 percent of controls tested positive for cannabis in urine samples.
Researchers found no differences in age, stroke mechanism or most vascular risk factors between cannabis users and non-users.
In previous case reports, ischemic stroke and TIAs developed hours after cannabis use, said Barber.
"These patients usually had no other vascular risk factors apart from tobacco, alcohol and other drug usage."
The study provides the strongest evidence to date of an association between cannabis and stroke, he said.
Barber presented these findings at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013 in Honolulu.
Source: IANS
Study Finds Medical Cannabis Provides Relief for Cancer, PTSD Patients
A new study has found that medical cannabis can help improve appetite and ease chronic pain among people suffering from a number of diseases including cancer, ALS and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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 Heavy Cannabis Use During Teenage Years may Not Hurt IQ, Says ResearchResearchers in Norway have rejected the theory that heavy cannabis use during teenage years may lower the intelligence of a person. | Advertisement
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