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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Recreational drugs raise stroke risk — even in young adults. A meta-analysis of over 100 million people found cocaine nearly doubles stroke risk, amphetamines more than double it, and cannabis raises it by 37%. Genetic analysis suggests these aren't just associations — the drugs themselves may be causal factors.
A sweeping new meta-analysis from the University of Cambridge — drawing on data from more than 100 million people — has found that cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis are each independently linked to a significantly higher risk of stroke. Published in the International Journal of Stroke, the study is being called the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted on recreational drug use and stroke risk.
The findings are especially striking for younger adults. Among people under 55, amphetamine use was associated with nearly three times the stroke risk, while cocaine use nearly doubled it. Researchers also used Mendelian randomization — a genetic analysis technique — to move beyond simple association, finding evidence that these drugs may actually cause stroke rather than merely correlate with it.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and recreational drug use is widespread — with over half of Americans over 12 having tried substances like cannabis or cocaine. These findings give clinicians and public health officials stronger evidence to counsel patients on drug use as a modifiable stroke risk factor, particularly in younger populations who may not consider themselves at risk.
