Marijuana use linked to stroke risks - so much for harmless herb claims......
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| Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Cannabis use may double the stroke risk in young adults, according to a recent study.
The study by Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research found stroke patients were 2.3 times more likely to have cannabis detected in urine tests compared with patients of the same age and sex.
"This is the first case-controlled study to show a possible link to the increased risk of stroke from cannabis,'' Professor Alan Barber said.
"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.''
Prof Barber, the lead investigator for the study, this week presented the findings to the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Honolulu.
The study included 150 stroke patients and 10 who had suffered transient ischemic attack - when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief period and results in stroke-like symptoms - aged 18-55 who had urine screens upon admission to hospital.
Of those patients, 16 per cent tested positive for cannabis and were mostly males who also smoked tobacco.For years pro-cannabis users have vehemently claimed that cannabis is just a harmless herb. It will be interesting to read the reaction to this study. This harmless "herb" is now on the international list of potential stroke causes.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10863630
http://huttriverofnz.blog.co.uk
posted by Unknown @ 10:07 PM
2 Comments:
What an interesting study.xxxxx
It is an interesting study. I have heard of people having heart-attacks after years of use - stroke is even worse.
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