How drugs of abuse, including cannabis, are linked to stroke

Cannabis-related stroke mechanisms include transient vasospasm that can cause ischemic stroke. Case reports of cannabis-induced stroke disproportionately involve young people. Synthetic cannabinoids can also cause vasospasm leading to ischemic stroke. Common stroke mechanisms across drugs of abuse include arrhythmias, cardioembolism, hypoxia, vascular toxicity, and effects on thrombotic mechanisms.

Narrative review examining mechanistic and pathophysiological pathways linking cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, morphine, cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, and anabolic steroids to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Stroke in young people is often unexplained, and drug use may be an underrecognized contributing factor. Understanding the specific mechanisms helps with both diagnosis and prevention.

The fact that cannabis-associated stroke case reports cluster in young populations is particularly concerning given that stroke in young people often has no other identified cause.

Based largely on case reports and mechanistic data rather than large epidemiological studies. Cannot establish how common drug-related stroke actually is. Cannabis-specific evidence is limited.