Adults who use marijuana and have the condition are more likely to develop stroke complications

A new study found that people suffering from a bleeding stroke may face worse outcomes if they are also cannabis users. The study is the largest of its kind to examine the influence of THC on this severe form of stroke.

The study, published in the journal Stroke, looked at the effect of THC on a specific type of stroke called aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain bursts and a bleeding point is created between the brain and the surface above it. It is a serious condition that is not too common and occurs less than 200,000 times a year.

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According to the results of the study, regular marijuana users who have had this stroke are twice as likely to have worse outcomes than non-cannabis users.

The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients treated for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and examined their urine samples, comparing and contrasting those who had consumed substances (including THC) in the previous three days and those who had not became. The former were more likely to have negative side effects such as delayed cerebral ischemia (a condition that occurs when the brain does not have enough oxygen), long-term disability, and even death.

An interesting discovery of the study was the fact that of all the substances tested, only cannabis increases the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia.

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While the results are not fully understood, studies like this one show the importance of physicians getting a complete picture of their patients’ habits and helping them look out for symptoms and side effects that they may not expect would have. While the link between cannabis and stroke is conclusive, it is significant enough to warrant further study, especially as cannabis becomes an increasingly available substance.